New statue makes huge presence at local comic shop

A local comic book store recently unleashed a new statue that might make similar shops green with envy.
The Coliseum of Comics, 2511 Old Vineland Road, Kissimmee, pulled backed the curtain on Wednesday to show off the 9-foot statue of Gladiator Hulk, introduced in Marvel’s Planet Hulk storyline in 2006, and brought to life in the movie “Thor: Ragnarok.”
The new statue of the emerald giant can be found at the front of the shop dressed in battle gear with weapons in hand. Like other businesses, the comic book shop reopened this week following an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Shop owner Phil Boyle said the statue is one of a kind.
“This (Gladiator Hulk) is the only one of these in the world,” he said.

What’s the story behind Gladiator Hulk?

When a Gamma bomb causes the Hulk to lose control and attack Las Vegas, the Illuminati (group of superheroes working behind the scenes) decide the Hulk is too dangerous to remain on Earth. They trick him into entering orbit to destroy a rogue satellite, and then use a shuttle to jettison him from the solar system. They intended for him to land on a peaceful planet, but the shuttle passes through a wormhole on its way.

As Hulk listens to a recording from the Illuminati explaining their actions, his shuttle crashes on the planet Sakaar. Weakened from the crash, Hulk is fixed with an obedience disk and taken into slavery. He is then forced to fight gladiator battles for the planet's emperor, the Red King.
Gladiator Hulk joins other statues in the shop including the original Hulk, Wonder Woman and Deadpool.

“We just like having these types of things so that when people come in, it’s a unique experience,” Boyle said.
Especially with Gladiator Hulk, which is a favorite character in the cosplay world, Boyle added. The statue was created by artist Spider, and took about four weeks to create.

“We think it will be one people will recognize throughout the ages. So that’s pretty cool,” Boyle said.