Well, it took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I've done it! I've bagged/boarded all my old Incredible Hulk books. I now have a clearer sense of my inventory...

It took a lot longer than I thought it would. Given the fact that I physical limitations, the task probably took longer for me than it would for anyone else. Also, I was taking the time to scan the covers into my PC as I bagged/boarded, which slowed things down. This became too tedious, however. In the interest of finishing the job, I forwent the scanning step.

I had told a few people (on the message boards here, for example) that I estimated that I had over 200 comics that needed to be properly bagged/boarded. Okay, I exaggerated. (At least I?m man enough to admit it!) I guess the number seemed a lot higher to me at first. Anyway, here?s the list of what I have...

MARVEL COMICS

Incredible Hulk:

#109, #110, #115

#263, #279-308, #310-377*, #380-383, #385-391, #393-394

* Note: I have a number of duplicates issues within that sequence of issues

Hulk Annuals:

#11-13, #15, #16

Incredible Hulk vs. Wolverine:

#1 (80s reprint)

Secret Wars:

#1, #2, #3 (2 copies), #4 (2 copies), #5, #6, #7, #8 (2 copies), #9, #10, #11 (2 copies), #12

DC COMICS:

OMAC:

#1

Dingbats:

#6

Weird Mystery Tales:

#23

PREZ- First Teen President:

#1

Forever People:

#7, #8

Total number of re-bagged/boarded books: 151

Although not boarded, all these issues were bagged. However, I guess as a kid I was lazy at times and did not tape shut some of the bags. It is surprising how much difference a little piece of tape means. For a few of the issues that were bagged but NOT taped shut, the covers are in fine shape but the pages had yellowed.

It goes without saying that the later issues are in the best condition. Although I am a big time novice at grading, I would say, for the vast majority of books I went through, most are in FINE condition, with a few exceeding that and a few falling below that. I was quite surprised at times to find that some issues (#279, for example) had a clean crisp front and back covers as well as white pages! Others had decent pages (cream?) but the covers were worn. (I used to take some of the comics to HS. Hey, what did I know?) Overall, I was pleased with the majority of the condition of the books. I was happy to see I had the full set of McFarlane?s Hulk run, as well as all the Mr. Fixit issues.

There are, as you can see, a few breaks in the numbers. I hope to (over time) fill in a few of the holes. I might be too big a job to try and collect all the issues that fall prior to #279. I will probably stick with filling in the small gaps in the numbers that come later.

Funny thing ? I am probably still not done. I think I have more issues somewhere in the house. I have to go looking around. For now at least, I can claim I?ve reached at least one of my goals ? to transfer all my old (HULK) comics from old bags to new bags/boards. A few books (all of Secret Wars, for example) I put in mylar bags. They may not be in NM condition but I?d like to keep them in at least in the FINE condition they are in now.

I?ve also been adding to my collection. I?ve purchased a few new comics. I?m up-to-date with the new (Red) Hulk issues. I?ve also purchased What If?Planet Hulk, Transformers Megatron ORIGIN (sketch cover) #1, SKAAR #1 (variant cover), and World War Hulk (variants) #1-5. I?m thinking about starting a collection of all #1?s. (Hey, it could be fun!)

I realize (to some of you) my collection may seem modest at best. Hey, I had to start somewhere. Honestly, I think I'd like to keep it relatively small. I?d like to keep it at a level I can manage.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you who help me get this far. Much THANKS!!!

(Image of another one of my favorite Incredible Hulk issues: #279)