Hulk Hands

Originally released as a part of the merchandise for 2003 Hulk film, Hulk Hands are a toy consisting of large foam-rubber clenched fists into which the wearer inserts their hands. They were first brainstormed by Sara Tresidder in 1997 when Marvel contracted external design consultation. When worn, they resemble green oversized boxing gloves that can be used to strike people or objects. The Hulk Hands are wired so that when they are bashed together or against objects, they emit various smashing or crashing sound effects, as well as occasional Hulk-related roars or catch phrases.

The original release featured semi-open packaging and large "Try Me" tags, which made them extremely popular with children, but much less so with retailers who had to deal with damaged packaging. The Hulk Hands were easily the highest-selling and most popular of toys that Toy Biz produced from the movie license. Realizing their broader appeal, Toy Biz produced a number of runs both for the movie and under a generic comic-based Incredible Hulk banner, now favoring more enclosed packaging but retaining the "Try Me" angle. The version of Hulk Hands made for The Avengers film toyline, "Gamma Green Smash Fists" are smaller and a darker green than previous incarnations and made by Hasbro as part of The Incredible Hulk (2008). ^[1] For the Avengers: Age of Ultron toyline, "Hulk Gamma Grip Fists" differed by having open palms, allowing the wearer to loosely grip objects. ^[2]

Similar products

Toy Biz also produced Electronic Thing Hands as merchandise for the 2005 Fantastic Four film. The Thing Hands were basically a version of the Hulk Hands colored and textured to resemble those of the Thing, with appropriate sound effects and catch phrases.

Thing Hands made a watchdog group's list for 10 Most Dangerous Toys during the 2005 Christmas season, due to the risk of blunt trauma injuries. ^[3]

Part of the toyline for Disney's 2012 film Wreck-It Ralph included cloth covered "Wrecking Fists" ^[4] and foam "Smash Hands", ^[5] both of which produce electronic sound effects.

Bruce Lee Dragon Fists ^[6] are electronic plush toys that make sounds upon impact.

In addition to the open palmed "Gamma Grip Fists" for the 2015 Age of Ultron toyline, there were "Iron Man Arc FX Armor" hands ^[7] and "Hulk Buster Gauntlets" as a Walmart exclusive. ^{[8] [9]}

Popular culture

Hulk Hands were featured in the 2008 American comedy film Step Brothers starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.

Hulk Hands appeared in Mitch's apartment in the film The Change-Up , a point underscoring his status as a man-child.

The June 12th, 2008 opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange was rung by Joe Quesada and others wearing hulk hands to promote the film Incredible Hulk . ^{[10] [11]}

The fourth episode of season two of the 2008 American Gladiators series ^[12] was dedicated to the Hulk as part of a promotion of the 2008 film and Hulk Hands were worn in place of Gauntlet power pads. ^[13]

Hulk Hands were also featured in the first episode of the twenty-first season of The Simpsons as well as in the second season of the Adult Swim show The Venture Bros.

Hulk Hands are a trademark accessory of the lead singer of Family Force Five.

A pair of Hulk Hands appeared in The Big Bang Theory episode, The Psychic Vortex. In the episode, the hands are given to Sheldon Cooper by Raj Koothrappali as bribery so that Sheldon will accompany Rajesh on a double date. Despite Rajesh's objections, Sheldon proceeds to wear the hands on the date.

A pair of Hulk Hands appeared in "How I Met Your Mother" episode, Desperation Day. They appeared in Marshall's childhood room and can be seen when he and Ted play video games.

Deadpool turned Hulk Hands into trick arrows that end up greatly resembling Green Arrow's boxing glove arrows in functionality. He then states that the real trick is they were all filled with explosives.

See also

• Hulk

References

1. Gamma Green Smash Fists
2. Hulk Gamma Grip Fists Archived 2015-02-19 at the Wayback Machine
3. Top 10 worst toys for 2005 - CNN
4. Wrecking Fists at Amazon.com
5. Smash Hands at Amazon.com
6. Bruce Lee Plush Jumbo Electronic Fists
7. Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Iron Man Arc FX Armor
8. Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Hulk Buster Gauntlet
9. Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Hulk Buster Gauntlets Roleplay Toy
10. Hulk Rampages On Wall Street
11. The Incredible Hulk Ringing The Opening Bell - NYSE
12. American Gladiators Episode #2.4 on IMDb
13. Hulk Themed Episode on American Gladiators Archived 2011-09-11 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Review and pictures from X-Entertainment
• Official Hulk webpage at marvel.com