Why did the original Incredible Hulk series get canceled?

Modest sales led to cancellation after six issues. The Hulk moved to Tales to Astonish before returning with his own series in 1968 at issue #102.

Incredible Hulk #1 Value & Price Guide (2026)

Name: The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962) - First Appearance of the Hulk
Brand: Marvel Comics

Comic Books

Dr. Bruce Banner built a gamma bomb. When a teenager wandered onto the test site, Banner ran out to save him - and caught the full blast. He didn't die. He turned into something else. The Incredible Hulk #1, published by Marvel Comics in May 1962, introduced one of the most tragic figures in superhero history: a brilliant scientist cursed to become an uncontrollable monster. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Hulk's original series lasted just six issues. The character's popularity eventually demanded a comeback - and the comic that started it all has sold for as much as $336,000.

Quick Value Summary


Item	The Incredible Hulk #1
Year	1962
Publisher	Marvel Comics
Category	Comic Books - Silver Age
Creators	Stan Lee (writer), Jack Kirby (artist)
Condition Range
Near Mint (CGC 9.0+)	$336,000 – $750,000
Record Sale	$336,000 (Heritage Auctions, November 2018)
Rarity	Rare

The Story

The Hulk was Stan Lee's attempt at a sympathetic monster - part Jekyll and Hyde, part Frankenstein's creature. Bruce Banner wasn't a villain. He was a good man trapped in an impossible situation. The stronger the Hulk got, the less control Banner had. It was a horror story dressed as a superhero comic.

What most people don't know: the Hulk was originally gray, not green. The printing technology of 1962 couldn't reproduce a consistent gray, so the color shifted across pages and copies. By the second issue, Marvel switched to green for practical reasons. That gray first appearance has become a defining collector detail.

The original series ran only six issues before being canceled. The Hulk moved to Tales to Astonish as a co-feature, sharing the book with other characters. It wasn't until 1968 that the Hulk returned to his own series, picking up with issue #102 where Tales to Astonish left off.

Despite the rocky start, the Hulk became one of Marvel's most enduring characters - a founding Avenger, a TV icon (the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno series), and a major film franchise. All of it traces back to this single issue.

How to Identify It

Key Visual Markers

Cover: The gray Hulk looming menacingly, with a terrified woman and a man in the foreground. Text reads "Is he man or monster or... is he both?"
Cover price: 12 cents, upper left corner.
Marvel Comics Group logo in upper left.
Interior pages: Newsprint stock.

The Gray Hulk

The original first printing shows the Hulk in gray on the cover. This is a key identification point - later reprints sometimes "correct" the color to green. A gray Hulk on the cover of a 12-cent newsprint comic is a strong indicator of an original.

Common Confusions

Don't confuse with later reprints or facsimile editions.
The 1968 relaunch starts at issue #102, not #1. A different book entirely.
Multiple reprint editions exist - check for the 12-cent price and newsprint interiors.

Value by Condition

The research data is thinner on this book than some other Silver Age keys, which actually tells you something: copies rarely trade publicly. When they do, they make news.

The highest recorded sale is $336,000 at Heritage Auctions in November 2018. The estimated range for Near Mint copies stretches up to $750,000, though no public sale has confirmed that ceiling yet.

What we know for certain: this is a book where condition drives massive value differences. The gray Hulk cover, the 12-cent price point, and the historical significance as a founding Marvel character all fuel demand. CGC-graded copies in any condition command strong premiums over raw copies.

Like other Silver Age Marvel keys, Marvel chipping (scoop-shaped color loss along cover edges) is a common condition issue that affects the grade.

The Gray Skin Variant

The Hulk's gray coloring in issue #1 is one of the most famous "errors" in comics - though it wasn't really an error. Lee and Kirby intended the Hulk to be gray. The printing limitations of the era made the gray inconsistent, so Marvel switched to green starting with issue #2.

This makes every copy of Incredible Hulk #1 technically a "gray variant" - it's the only issue where the Hulk appeared in his original intended color. Some copies show the gray more clearly than others depending on the printing quality and condition of that specific copy. Copies with crisp, clear gray coloring are particularly prized.

Authentication & Fakes

What to Watch For

Faded colors: The gray cover is susceptible to fading, which can make even genuine copies look washed out. Don't confuse fading with a fake.
Restoration: Color touch-ups to the gray Hulk cover, spine reinforcement, and page cleaning are all common. CGC identifies restoration with a purple label.
Reprints: Multiple reprints exist. Verify the 12-cent cover price, newsprint interiors, and original Marvel printing details.

Professional Grading

CGC grading is essential for any copy of Incredible Hulk #1 you're considering buying or selling. The authentication alone is worth the fee - and the graded slab gives buyers the confidence to pay market value.

Where to Sell

Heritage Auctions - Handled the $336,000 record sale. The strongest venue for Silver Age Marvel keys.
ComicConnect - Strong track record with high-value Marvel books.
eBay - Can work for CGC-certified copies in lower grades. Make sure your listing is well-photographed and accurately described.

Always get CGC grading before selling. A raw copy - even a genuine one - sells at a steep discount to its slabbed equivalent.

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Common Questions

How much is Incredible Hulk #1 worth?

The record sale is $336,000 from Heritage Auctions in 2018. Near Mint copies are estimated in the $336,000 to $750,000 range. Lower-grade copies are worth less but still significant - this is a foundational Marvel key issue.

Was the Hulk originally gray?

Yes. Stan Lee intended the Hulk to be gray, but 1962 printing technology couldn't reproduce the color consistently. Marvel switched to green starting with issue #2. Every copy of Incredible Hulk #1 features the gray Hulk, making it a unique piece of Marvel history.

Why did the original series get canceled?

The Incredible Hulk's original run lasted only six issues before being canceled due to modest sales. The character moved to Tales to Astonish as a co-feature before getting his own series again in 1968 with issue #102. Sometimes the market needs time to catch up with a great idea.

Is the Hulk a founding Avenger?

Yes. The Hulk was one of the founding members of the Avengers in Avengers #1 (1963), alongside Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. He left the team in issue #2 - classic Hulk.