Skip to main content

This Hulkbuster armor shown at NY Comic Con is real, and it’s spectacular


OK, so it’s possible that this whole cosplay thing (short for costume-play) might just be getting a little bit out of hand.

What started out as a few superfans stitching together their favorite characters’ costumes using whatever you might find at your local arts and crafts store, has culminated in the construction of a scale model of Tony Stark’s famous hulkbuster armor, featured in one of the baddest action scenes from Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Thomas DePetrillo debuted the suit at New York Comic Con 2015 and told reporters that it took him around 1,600 hours to build … sounds like coswork to us. Despite a profile that stands almost 10 feet tall and a weight of 95 lbs., DePetrillo was able to cruise around Jacobs Javits Center in the armor, leaving a host of gawking attendees in his wake.

As it turns out, the suit’s architect owns a costuming company called Extreme Costumes, which has already pulled in top prizes at other Comic Cons around the country. While that makes this a bit more explicable, we’re still in awe of how dedicated some fans can be.

If DePetrillo ever wants to go into the home security business, this suit could be a pretty effective deterrent to burglars, in-laws, and other unwanted guests. Just a thought.

For the uninitiated, the hulkbuster armor was designed as a countermeasure in case The Hulk ever got out of hand with his smashing. Watch the Age of Ultron or check out the video above to see it in action. Warning: You will want one by the time you’re done.

While it will be quite a while before we see the Avengers all on-screen together again, the franchise is moving forward with Avengers: Infinity War – Part I (May 4, 2018) and Avengers: Infinity War – Part II (May 3, 2019), so fans have plenty to look forward to.

Adam Poltrack
Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…
10 best San Diego Comic-Con 2023 exclusives you need to get
Batman Knightfall 30th Anniversary figure from McFarlane Toys.

Are you heading to San Diego Comic-Con with money to burn? If so, there's a good chance that you are one of the many fans who will be on the lookout for this year's Comic-Con exclusives. While Comic-Con's movie and TV panels tend to get most of the press, you have to keep in mind that this show also has one of the largest dealers' rooms in the country. And everyone is bringing something to sell.

That tends to be where you, the collector, come in. To further entice buyers, companies capitalize on Comic-Con by putting out exclusive collectibles, comics, prints, lithographs, action figures, statues, and everything else under the sun. Some of these items may even be available online for fans who can't make it to San Diego. But if you really want them, then your best bet is always to be there in person on Wednesday, July 19 for Preview Night, or Thursday, July 20 for the first day of the show.

Read more
Peacock brings Twisted Metal and The Continental to San Diego Comic-Con 2023
Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth in Twisted Metal.

This year's San Diego Comic-Con won't have a lot of star power, but that didn't stop Peacock from promoting two of its most-anticipated original series, Twisted Metal and The Continental. And it all starts with a little bit of ice cream from Twisted Metal's evil clown, Sweet Tooth.

On Thursday, July 20, Peacock and Sony Pictures Television will send Sweet Tooth's infamous ice cream truck to the corner of J Street and First Ave. Fans are invited to stop by for a free serving of an exclusive Twisted Metal ice cream flavor created by Salt & Straw. At 5 p.m., there will be a "surprise musical performance" at the ice cream truck. Fans who aren't able to make it out to the ice cream truck will be able buy some Twisted Metal ice cream of their own from three of the local Salt & Straw locations.

Read more
Where to watch San Diego Comic-Con 2023
A banner for "San Diego Comic-Con."

The middle of July is an exciting time to be a fan of all things nerd culture. Summer blockbuster season is in full swing, and there are often new game and TV releases to anticipate as well. This month also brings San Diego Comic-Con with it, and the many teasers and announcements that are likely to drop there.

If you're someone who loves all things fandom, you're likely looking forward to everything that will be teased at this weekend's convention, and you may even be looking for the best way to catch all of that live.
Can you watch San Diego Comic-Con 2023 online?
Obviously, the best way to experience Comic-Con is to be there in person, living it up in Hall H with all the creators and celebrities who often stop by the venue. If you can't make that work, though, the next best thing for many would be to watch some sort of live stream of the panels as they take place.

Read more