Hellboy Animated Review

Gentle Giant's Hellboy Animated figure series is out now, with 3 figures comprising the first wave. Hellboy, Abe Sapien, and Movie Hellboy. So how did GG do?

Packaging: Standard clamshell packaging. Decent art.

Sculpt: Animated HB is a BIG figure, and captures the look of the character pretty well. Even done in 6" scale, he stands over 7 inches tall. When Mezco's Comic Hellboy line came out, it was shocking how well Mike Mignola's artwork was translated into 3 dimensions. I believe the same can be said here, with a single caveat. Both animated figures, HB in particular, have wacky proportions. HB himself has legs that are smaller than a SW figure's legs. Abe isnt as bad, but he still has the same problem. However, this is not so much the fault of GG as it is a flaw (imo) of the style of the animation. These are sculpted with the same proportions as the animated characters, so really its more of the animators' fault. Some might see this as nitpicking, and it is. But it's my review, so STFU.

HB and company can have tiny little legs in the cartoon and jump around and stand and run just fine, but when that same character is reproduced in the real world, with real laws of physics, there are problems. Thankfully, GG has you covered. Rather than trying to support the figure on his legs (which would VERY quickly result in leaning and breakage), GG includes a circular black base with HELLBOY ANIMATED on it. Plugging into the base is a clear plastic rod which attaches approximately to HB's taint.

Abe has a similar base, but his clear plastic rod attaches sqarely between his cheeks. (actually, this might be a perk in David Hyde Pierce's contract for Hellboy 2. Hmm. Have to research that.)

Movie Hellboy is a scanned likeness of Ron Perlman as HB. He has textured red skin. His face is in an odd expression, but this again is a minor nitpick. He has great detailing on his pants, and the swirls and whirls on his chest. The Right Hand of Doom, just like on the animated version, has great craggy detail, giving the illusion of stone.

So all in all, the problems that I see are minor nitpicks relating more to the animation style, rather than the figures.

Paint: All pretty solid, with no major problems. Movie HB is a little bit dull as far as chest color goes, but what can you do? He's red. They managed to get some great shading on animated HB tho.

Also, Abe's color scheme is awesome. I love his character design in the animated films, and they got his coloring JUST RIGHT. Awesome.

Articulation: Think of these like really stylized Marvel Legends figures. That is a good size comparison, as well as articulation comparison. Hinges, ball joints, foot articulation. It's all here, and it all flows pretty well compared to the sculpts. Movie HB especially will fit in good with your MLs.

Accessories: Each figure comes with a weapon and interchangeable hands. Hellboys each have The Samaritan, Abe has a generic pistol, which is great. See, in the comics, Abe doesnt really have any super powers or offensive abilities. He makes up for this by becoming an amazing shot with a pistol. This was hinted at in the animated films, as he regularly took shots at the baddies with his handgun. Abe also includes an alternate 'ANGRY' head. And a severed mummy head, presumably from Sword of Storms.

Now, let's get down to one accessory that animated HB lacks: his coat. Sold bare chested, GG seems to be repeating Mezco's mistakes. The comic HB line had only bare chested HB, UNLESS you want to pay 30 bucks for an exlusive figure. Then you get the EXACT SAME FIGURE, with a cloth coat. whee.

The Hellboy Animated figure also is packed without his coat, but this time, the coat is 1. released separately, and 2. packed 1 coat per case. So, not only do you have to pay the price for an extra figure (retail on the coat is 14.99), but you have to contend with SCALPER PRICES. YAY!!!! Now, because I am a sucker, and because I love Hellboy like a fat kid loves cake, I decided to get the coat. I snagged it for retail, so my butt doesnt hurt as bad as Abe's must, but pretty close. Is it a cool coat? Without a doubt. Is it worth 14.99 or more? No wai.

I like these figures, but fans are going to be turned off by the coat fiasco. PLEASE, GG, don't make moves like that in the future!!!!

Overall: 4/5. Pics to come later tonight.