Hulk Comic Book Prices
Value of Hulk Comics
Whether it’s because of the movies, the Bill Bixby TV series, or the cartoons and comic books, most folks in America have at least a basic knowledge of the Hulk. While they might not know anything about Hulk comic book prices, it’s a safe bet to assume that the early issues of the series will fetch a respectable sum for their owner. This article is designed to give you an idea of some of the more valuable issues of The Incredible Hulk, as well as provide some background about the character and his supporting cast.
In case you’re unaware, the Hulk is the green-skinned alter-ego of Dr. Bruce Banner, a gentle scientist who’s an expert on gamma radiation. Whenever Banner is in danger or becomes enraged, he transforms into the Hulk. While the creature known as the Hulk has sometimes been able to use Banner’s intellect, his most famous depiction is that of a rampaging and misunderstood monster. In fact, creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby envisioned him as a cross between the creatures featured in Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
They obviously did something right, as the Hulk’s distinctive green skin and torn pants have graced everything from video games to lunchboxes. He’s been the star of his own title for years, and he’s also been a member of teams such as the Avengers, Defenders, Heroes for Hire, and the Fantastic Four.
My Favorite Hulk Issues
While opinions will vary on the subject, I wanted to take a minute and share some of my favorite Hulk issues. My memory may be a bit hazy after all these years, so please bear with me.
The Hulk vs. Wolverine – Marvel’s most powerful mortal and their pint-sized killing machine squared off with a badass cover courtesy of Todd McFarlane. I remember Wolverine sticking his claws through the Hulk’s heart, which actually downed the unstoppable monster for a few seconds. But thanks to the Hulk’s massive ability to regenerate, he was soon back in the fight. This battle took place in Hulk #180 and 181.
Giant-Sized Hulk – When I was a kid, I bought several of those giant-sized editions that collected stories from monthly comics. I owned one with the Hulk, and the stories inside had him facing everyone from Havoc to the Rhino and a swamp creature formed from the remains of an escaped convict. Classic stuff.
Mr. Fixit – In the late ‘80s, the Hulk ended up with amnesia and started working in Vegas as an enforcer named Joe Fixit. He was gray in color and less powerful than the green-skinned Hulk, but he made up for it with lots of clever combat moves. For example, during a fight with the more powerful hero known as The Thing, Fixit got him into a lake and performed the Heimlich Maneuver to cause his lungs to fill up with water.
Hulk vs. the Avengers – This one didn’t actually take place in the pages of The Incredible Hulk, but it still remains one of my favorites thanks to the non-stop level of violence. The Hulk goes on an unstoppable rampage, and every attempt to stop him only drives him into more of a frenzy. The Avengers from both coasts are called in to stop him, and the green-skinned goliath begins trashing them. The story takes place over two issues, which means fans of senseless violence more than get their money’s worth.
I’m certain that I’ve missed a lot of the great Hulk storylines over the years, but the ones listed above still stick with me after several decades. That’s got to count for something, right? If you have your own favorite Hulk stories, be sure to share them in our comments section.
Notable Characters from The incredible Hulk
If you’re a first-time reader of The Incredible Hulk, it’s important to know a bit about some of the more important characters in the series. This list is far from complete and admittedly skewed towards older characters, but it should serve as a good starting point.
Bruce Banner – While testing out an experimental gamma bomb, the mild-mannered scientist is exposed to the blast while trying to save the life of teenager Rick Jones. While the Hulk originally transformed at sunset and returned to human form at sunrise, this was soon replaced with a transformation triggered by rage or stress. Banner has managed to submerge or even split the Hulk personality at times, but it always ends up coming back.
Rick Jones – After accepting a dare to drive onto a military test range, Rick Jones is pushed into a trench by Bruce Banner just prior to the detonation of a gamma bomb. Jones is fine, but Banner winds up being transformed into the Hulk. Jones becomes the sidekick of the Hulk, and he would later team up with everyone from Rom to Captain Marvel. Thanks to his efforts with the Teen Brigade, he also played a hand in the formation of the Avengers.
Betty Ross – The daughter of General Thunderbolt Ross and Bruce Banner’s love interest and later wife. While she remained supportive of Banner, the strain it placed on her took a severe toll over the years. After being thought dead, she eventually returned as the Red She-Hulk, a being with enough strength to punch holes through dimensional barriers.
General Thunderbolt Ross – The father of Betty Ross, this military veteran disapproved of her relationship with the weak scientist Bruce Banner. Ross became obsessed with capturing or killing the Hulk, and he eventually appeared to die after countless encounters. He would later resurface as Red Hulk, a dangerous new opponent who possesses many of the same abilities as the Hulk (along with a few others).
Leader – One of the Hulk’s oldest foes, the Leader is a green-skinned genius with vast mental capabilities. His first appearance was in Tales to Astonish #62, and he has frequently worked with both The Chameleon and the Abomination.
Estimated Values for Hulk Comics
If you’re looking for the estimated values of Hulk comics, it’s best to start with his first appearance in the pages of The Incredible Hulk #1 from 1962. ComicsPriceGuide.com has this one listed for $68,000 in near mint condition, although a 9.2 graded copy sold for $125,475 in 2009. Issue #2 is worth $6,000, while issues 3 thru 6 are worth anywhere from $3,400 to $4,400. The series would be cancelled after six issues, and the Hulk would soon become a member of the Avengers and star in Tales to Astonish on a monthly basis.
Tales to Astonish would eventually become The Incredible Hulk with issue #102, and the first book to reflect this change is valued at $440 in near mint condition. The Hulk’s true love, Jarella, debuts in issue 140, which is worth $35. One issue later, Doc Samson makes his first appearance, and it’s worth $125. Issue #181 is a milestone in comic book history, as it features the first full appearance of Wolverine. It’s valued at $1,800 in near mint condition.
A plus-sized Hulk annual is also put out each year, and the first one of these–published in 1968–is the most valuable at $120. Later annuals can be had for as little as $3.
There’s no indication that the Hulk will decrease in popularity anytime soon, and the Avengers movie scheduled for 2012 should only serve to boost his status as a pop culture icon. Expect early Hulk comic book prices to continue to increase in value each year, with collectors and investors constantly on the prowl for a valuable issue that’s been stored away in someone’s attic.