Review : LEGO Marvel 76105 The Hulkbuster Ultron Edition

Many of us have long hoped that LEGO will someday release a more detailed version of the Hulkbuster than the one seen in the sets. 76031 The Hulkbuster Smash (2015) et 76104 The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (2018)
Our wishes were granted a few weeks ago with the sale of the set 76105 The Hulkbuster Ultron Edition (1363 pieces - 139.99 €), even if the latter is not the ultimate figure so much hoped for by some fans.

We can always discuss the somewhat high public price of this box or the approximate finish of the figurine, the fact remains that I consider this Hulkbuster as a very nice exhibition product, sufficiently detailed and well highlighted. by the presentation platform provided.

Let’s immediately settle the question of the “exclusive” minifig delivered in this box: It is mainly an armor, the MK43 version, supplied with a transparent polycarbonate head. This is only a more detailed graphic reinterpretation of the armor seen in the set. 76031 The Hulkbuster Smash (2015)

Another detail to highlight, the presence of many stickers in this box, 20 in total, a large part of which are printed on a transparent support. It's a stopgap, knowing that when LEGO generally prints its stickers on a color background matching the support intended to receive them and it is common to see differences in color.

This problem does not arise here, but the transparent background of these stickers does not offer a rendering worthy of a collector's product at 140 €. The big sticker that gives a side Ultimate Collector Series to the product is a bit ridiculous for its part, it just tells us that the armor is super special, super resistant and super strong ... Some technical specifications, even invented would have been welcome.

Once assembled, the figure is quite solid and can be handled without risking scattering coins everywhere. The level of detail is very correct, even if the general appearance is a bit spoiled by the presence of the two blue pins at the shoulders. LEGO seems to insist with these blue pieces visible on models where they have no place (see the test of the LEGO Technic set 42078 Mach Anthem) and I think it's an assumed choice. There is no other valid reason to continue incorporating these visually unsightly pieces, except to purposely remind that this is a LEGO product.

LEGO obviously privileged here the situation of the armor in relation to its mobility. You can orient the arms however you like, but the legs remain hopelessly stiff. LEGO provides an additional standard arm which can replace the Jackhammer loosely articulated via a somewhat unsightly elastic. An integrated spring system would have been more judicious, this white elastic cheap.

No joints in the knees, as is too often the case with guys and other LEGO robots, you just have to spread your legs, turn the torso and orient the feet of the minifigure to make him take different poses. For lack of anything better, you can pay tribute to Jean-Claude Van Damme:

It's paradoxical, but I remind you that the poster offered by LEGO for the purchase of this set when it goes on sale presents the Hulkbuster with one knee on the ground, pose impossible to reproduce with the plastic version of the armor ...

I obviously regret the lack of knee joints, but not for reasons related to playability, this product being above all a figurine to exhibit. I just wish I could stage this Hulkbuster with one knee on the ground.

The above pose also reveals one of the weaknesses of the product: The articulation points are a bit too rickety and lacking in dressing, which contrasts with the massive appearance of the armor. It is even more obvious at the ankles of the figurine. It's up to you to find the right exposure angle to hide these visual defects.

The MK43 armor can be installed (seated) in the cockpit of the Hulkbuster, just to put it somewhere and be sure not to lose it. The light brick integrated in the torso can only be briefly switched on by pressing on the back of the armor.
Impossible to leave it on, which makes the functionality a little anecdotal, especially since LEGO has taken the trouble to integrate some phosphorescent pieces in this set. As usual with LEGO, you know it's there, it'll do.

The back of the figurine is successful with many details, the designer has not botched this aspect of the set. Well oriented, the figure is as convincing from the back as from the front.

To stage this Hulkbuster, LEGO provides a support which has the merit of being very well designed. the platform offers enough space to display the armor without taking up half of the living room dresser. The various accessories (table, robotic arms) which are connected to this support can also be moved according to your wishes.

The figure is very stable and well balanced, even when tilted forward or back. It does not slip thanks to the tire integrated in each foot, it is well seen. The model of Veronica, the microphone hot rod and the big fire extinguisher add to the staging a bit.

Don't get too fussy on the set scale, there isn't much that makes sense. It is enough to put the extinguisher in the hand of the minifigure to realize it. You can actually vaguely consider everything to be Hulkbuster scale rather than Tony Stark and that the MK43 armor is actually microfig scale ...

So that everyone understands why this large format Hulkbuster is in my opinion an aesthetic success despite its few flaws, it suffices to compare it with the armor delivered in the set 76104 The Hulkbuster Smash-Up released this year. The latter also offers very limited mobility.

We can always blame the figurine set 76105 for not being completely faithful to the armor seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but the result is in any case light years away from the compact version whose general appearance is far from convincing.

This large format Hulkbuster is a pure exhibition product for collectors, it is not intended to end up in the little one's toy box and it does the job. I say yes, even at € 139.99.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before April 8 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.