Most recent Marvel movies have had a clear breakout character, be it Hulk, Loki or the Winter Soldier. Avengers: Age of Ultron is a little bit weird, though, in that its breakout star isn’t a new character at all–it’s an armor! Having generated more hype and merch than just about any other character, it’s a surprise that the kid-focused Marvel Mashers line hasn’t gotten its own Hulkbuster before now. But the wait is at an end–the Mashers Hulkbuster Iron Man has arrived… and it’s exclusive to Walmart!

Up until this spring, most every figure released as part of the Hasbro Marvel Super Hero Mashers line has been easy to get online and at most stores without a fuss. But just in time for the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie, the first major exclusives have arrived!

Target got the Marvel Mashers Ultron three-pack exclusive that I discussed a few weeks back, while Toys R Us stores are just now receiving a multipack exclusive with Mashers Vision and classic colored Thor figures. Walmart must have been jealous, because they’ve now gotten their own exclusive–and it just might end up being the one that sells the best: Marvel Mashers Hulk Buster Iron Man!

Packaged in the deluxe-sized box for Marvel Superhero Mashers, Hulk Buster Iron Man is retailing for $19.99 in Walmart stores. That’s a couple bucks more than usual for a deluxe Mashers figure, but it’s Walmart’s exclusive, so I guess they figure folks will be willing to pay the “exclusive” fee.

Walmart isn’t getting any other exclusive Marvel Masher exclusives at this time, so the back of the box just shows mass-released figures like Logan Wolverine, Captain America, Skaar and Whiplash. The Hulkbuster armor can be worn by most any of the other Mashers action figures–it might be sort of cool (albeit bizarre) to make a Hulkbuster Spider-Man or Dr. Doom!

Sadly, as big an advocate as I am for the Marvel Mashers line, this Iron Man Hulkbuster is a major disappointment to me. The Hulkbuster armor that attaches to the standard Iron Man Mashers figure is simply not convincing as far as portraying the Hulk Buster goes. It looks like Hasbro just stuck some goofy shoulder pads and a big helmet on an Iron Man action figure.

The matte, basic yellow paint used on the figure also doesn’t do it any favors.  The gold used in other HB Iron Man figures would have looked much better–the primary yellow makes this look far too much like a pre-school toy to me.

The Marvel Super Hero Mashers Iron Man Hulk Buster set is now available at some Walmart stores, but hasn’t turned up yet online. Walmart can be pretty hit or miss as far as posting their own exclusives on their website, so your best bet is to hit your local stores if you want to add this Hulkbuster to your collection.

Thoughts on the Hulkbuster Mashers figure, Marvel fans? Anyone planning on picking up this exclusive Masher for their collection, or are you unimpressed with the execution of Hulkbuster Iron Man?