Incredible Hulk #181 is CGC’s Featured Comic of the Month for November

ComicLink sold a CGC 9.8 Incredible Hulk #181 in January 2019 for $59,000. They also sold the only CGC graded 9.9 in February 2011 for $150,000. CGC has graded nearly twelve thousand five hundred copies of this book. Click images to enlarge (Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

Name of comic: Incredible Hulk #181

Comic publisher: Marvel Comics

Date: November 1974

Variants: N/A

What makes it special? This book features the first full appearance of Wolverine. Wolverine is originally introduced as a villain in this Hulk issue, but inevitably goes on to be a very popular antihero character as part of the X-Men.

Why is it interesting now? Incredible Hulk #181 was released in November of 1974. There continues to be speculation of Wolverine appearing in future Marvel films.

Did you know? Before X-Men #98 showed Wolverine unsheathing his adamantium claws while out of costume for the first time, it was never specified that the claws were actually part of his body. Wein originally wrote the claws as if they were just attached to his gloves the whole time and not a product of his mutation.

Total graded by CGC: As of October 31, CGC has graded 12,482 copies.

CGC median grade: The median grade is Very Fine 7.5.

CGC highest graded: The highest graded copy by CGC is a Mint 9.9.

Sales highlights: ComicLink sold a CGC 9.8 Incredible Hulk #181 in January 2019 for $59,000. They also sold the only CGC graded 9.9 in February 2011 for $150,000.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: A collection called “The Wolverine Collector”, currently ranks #1 in the “Incredible Hulk #180-#182 Wolverine” category. All books in this set are graded at 9.8. Explore this and other collections in the CGC Comics Registry.

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