Hot Toys’ Ultron Prime Sixth-Scale Figure is No Man’s Puppet

The first official images of Hot Toys' upcoming Ultron Prime from Avengers: Age of Ultron has been loosed to the wild, and they don't disappoint... much. While we've been waiting patiently for a better look at the big bad behind this summer's big Marvel blockbuster, we've got to admit, it's a little bit of a bummer this high-end figure is so barebones.

Unlike the previously announced Avengers that will make up this line, Ultron Prime doesn't come with much beyond a menacing presence and few lights. At least the minimal Thanos announced a short while ago comes with a massive accessory in his stone throne. All Ultron comes with is a lighted base, which is nice, but nothing to get amped up about.

Despite the lack of accessories, there are a few things the figure does get right. The Ultron Prime will come in at healthy 16 inches tall, which puts him well above the standard human Avengers, and right on par with the Hulk. The articulation looks rather strong for a figure of that size. If you recall, the Hot Toys Hulk from the first film was very limited in range. That doesn't appear to be the case here, as the images show poses that hint at an above average range of motion in the shoulders, arms and legs. The chest is a bit of mystery, as there doesn't seem to be any hip rotation, but the pectoral/ab area seems adjustable ever so slightly.

Part of that lack of range in the midriff has to do with the design of Ultron Prime himself, and Hot Toys' desire to stay as true to the physical version as possible. There's also all those pesky LED lights to deal with. The chest, both forearms and the head have LED lighting implemented, which gives the character a truly menacing glow. Additionally, it looks like each digit of each hand is articulated. That's a feature we haven't seen often in Hot Toys figures, but one that will no doubt make it easier to pose the figure strangling the life from any of the numerous Hot Toys Tony Starks you may own.

The Hot Toys Avengers: Age of Ultron Ultron Prime is available for pre-order now at Sideshow Collectibles for $374.99. It's due to arrive in the first quarter of 2016.