Hulk Smash! CGC-certified Incredible Hulk Breaks Issue Record at $490,000

An Incredible Hulk #1 smashed its way to a new record price for the issue in a ComicConnect sale on December 15, 2021. Sold for an outstanding $490,000, this issue, graded 9.0 by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), is one of 13 rare examples with the same grade with a Universal label, according to the CGC Census. Due to the printing technology and paper quality, grades like this for the 1962 comic book are rare.

Incredible Hulk #1 graded CGC 9.0. Realized: $490,000 Click images to enlarge.

"Smashing is what Hulk does best!"

With the release of superhero movies such as “The Avengers,” interest in comic books related to them has increased in recent years. Previously, an Incredible Hulk #1 graded CGC 9.2 realized $320,000 in 2014.

First published in May 1962, the issue tells the story of a mild-mannered scientist, Bruce Banner, who is transformed into the giant, raging Hulk after being exposed to radiation. Inspired by “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” as well as Frankenstein’s monster, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the Hulk into a different type of hero. The original color of Hulk was grey, as seen on the first issue’s cover, but by the second issue, he would have his iconic green skin.

The Incredible Hulk series would only last six issues and was cancelled in 1963, but the Hulk’s story did not end there. The Hulk appeared as one of the original Avengers in the September 1963 comic book Avengers #1. The Hulk eventually took over the Tales to Astonish comic book series, and his franchise expanded to include new titles, TV programs and movies, as well as an expansion of the Hulk family, such as Red Hulk and She-Hulk.