Hulk with Silver/Grey Tattered Pants (BigFig)
sh173 · Marvel Super Heroes
Avengers: Age of Ultron · 2015. Released primarily in set 76031 'The Hulk Buster Smash', timed with the premiere of 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'. This period saw the transition from bright olive green to darker olive for the Hulk BigFig.
Figure ID
sh173
Theme
Marvel Super Heroes
Year Released
2015. Released primarily in set 76031 'The Hulk Buster Smash', timed with the premiere of 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'. This period saw the transition from bright olive green to darker olive for the Hulk BigFig.
Rarity
Uncommon. While appearing in a popular set, it has been retired for several years. It is less common than the standard purple-pants variant but more common than the 'Thor: Ragnarok' or 'Avengers: Endgame' iterations.
Head
Molded as part of a single upper-body piece (standard for earlier BigFigs). Features a grimacing expression with white teeth, black eyebrows, and yellow-white eyes. The hair is molded black with a textured, messy appearance.
Torso
Large-scale 'BigFig' mold in Olive Green. Features detailed muscle definition printing on the chest and abdominals. The arms are independent pieces attached via Technic-style pins, allowing for 360-degree rotation.
Legs
Non-articulated, molded as part of the lower body. Features silver/grey trousers (pants) with tattered, torn details and darker grey shading. The printing includes purple accents, representing the high-tech stretch material from the film.
Accessories
None included by default for the figure itself. In its original set, it was designed to be contained within a buildable 'Hulk Buster' cage.
Color Scheme
Primary Olive Green with Black hair and Silver/Grey trousers. Accents include White for teeth/eyes and Purple/Dark Grey for the pant patterns.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on a large surface. Includes chest muscles, belly definition, and intricate patterns on the front of the legs. Note that there is typically no printing on the back of this specific BigFig mold.
Variants
Standard Hulk (Purple Pants), Gladiator Hulk (Thor: Ragnarok), Avengers: Endgame Hulk (Quantum Suit), and various lighter green 'Classic' comic versions. This sh173 variant is specific for its 'Age of Ultron' grey pants.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include 'arm swing' looseness (Technic pins wearing down), scuffing on the hair peaks, and paint rub on the toes. The large torso is also prone to surface scratches if stored in bulk bins.
Estimated Value
Used: $15.00 - $25.00; New (pulled from set): $30.00 - $40.00. Value fluctuates based on the tightness of the arm joints.
Price (New)
Included in set 76031 which retailed for $29.99 USD in 2015. The figure is now worth nearly the original retail price of the entire set.
Compatible Sets
76031 The Hulk Buster Smash, 76041 The Hydra Fortress Smash (sometimes substituted with sh013 or sh095 in secondary markets, but sh173 is the official for the Hulk Buster set).
Character Background
Based on Bruce Banner’s alter ego in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically during the Battle of Johannesburg and the assault on the Hydra research base. This version reflects Tony Stark and Bruce Banner's collaboration on 'science-pants' that stretch during transformation.
Design Notes
This figure uses the second-generation Hulk BigFig mold. Unlike modern figures that use a separate head piece (allowing for rotation), this 2015 version has a static head and neck integrated into the torso piece.
Similar Minifigures
sh013 (Classic Purple Pants), sh095 (Dark Green), sh408 (Gladiator), sh575 (Quantum Suit).
Collectibility
High. The 'Hulk Buster Smash' set is iconic, and many collectors prefer the Olive Green skin tone of this era over the brighter greens used in comic-style sets.
History
LEGO introduced the Hulk BigFig in 2012 with sh013. This 2015 version marked the first significant departure in pant color to match the darker, more industrial aesthetic of the MCU Phase 2 films.
Interesting Facts
The Technic pins used for the arms are intentionally friction-heavy to allow the figure to hold heavy LEGO objects or 'smash' poses without the arms falling under their own weight.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed inside or next to the 76031 Hulk Buster suit or the 76210 UCS-style Hulkbuster for scale comparison. Keep away from direct sunlight as the Olive Green pigment can fade to a yellowish-tan over time.
Modification Potential
Arms can be swapped with other BigFigs (like Thanos or Darkseid) for custom mashups. It is a popular base for 'Abomination' or 'Red Hulk' custom paint jobs.
Overall Assessment
A solid 8/10 BigFig. It remains one of the most movie-accurate representations of the character and is a staple for any LEGO Marvel collector due to its connection to the beloved Hulkbuster sub-line.