He’s huge, he’s green and he’s been around since the Kennedy Administration. The Incredible Hulk character was first seen in the debut of his first issue May of 1962, and despite some issues initially the character became popular enough to have his own television series staring Lou Ferrigno in the 1970s.

Collectors Dashboard evaluated collectibles as an alternative class. It has become undeniable that collectors and hobbyists with deep passion and interest are competing directly against investors looking to make a profit on the exact same asset. It has also become common for the same money that would have been invested into stocks or bonds is now invested in fine art, coins, stamps, sports collectibles and so on.

The Hulk is a Marvel Character the result of military experimentation and a product of The Cold War. The Incredible Hulk was also initially an under-performing character in the eyes of Marvel that initially was attributed to a major price adjustment for a child’s budget, moving from 10-cents to 12-cents.

Low sales are something for collectors to take notice of. The character faded away after just six issues. Returning in The Avengers issue from September 1963 for a three issue span and then not again until Tales to Astonish #60 in October 1964.

The Incredible Hulk #1 and also his first appearance in CGC graded 6.0 condition sold in a November 17, 2016 Hakes Auctions online for $20,872.50 including a 15% buyers premium. More recent sales on the popular Auction site eBay show trends consistent with that price:

• May 2, 2021 CGC 1.0 Sold: $6,999.99
• May 6, 2021 THE INCREDIBLE HULK #1 / PRE – ATOMIC BLAST / 1960’s 1 PAGE sold: $99.99
• May 9, 2021 CGC 6.0 RESTORED B-5 Sold: $11,695.00
• June 10, 2021 ungraded condition listed only as acceptable without a cover sold: $1,500.00
• June 14, 2021 CGC 2.5 Sold: $2,026.00

The populations for CGC grading has a total of 1,862 graded examples. The highest grade are 5 issues at 9.4 representing 0.1% of graded examples. The record sale of the comic is a CGC grade 9.2 sold by Heritage Auctions November 15, 2018 for $316,000.00. The big money sales have been in this range with Heritage Auctions:

• August 2, 2018 CGC 9.0 Sold: $264,000.00
• February 21, 2019 CGC 9.0 Sold: $216,000.00.
• November 19, 2009 CGC 9.2 Sold: $125,475.00
• November 15, 2018 CGC 8.5 Sold: $108,000.00
• November 21, 2019 CGC 8.5 Sold: $93,000.00
• January 14, 2021 CGC 7.0 Sold: $52,000.00
• April 1, 2021 CGC 6.5 Sold: $51,600.00

The Hulk’s first reappearance in The Avengers September 1963 issue #1 has 4,536 CGC graded examples with the highest population CGC 3.0 with 516 examples. Recent examples sold on eBay include:

• May 23, 2021 CGC 4.0 Sold: $2,755.00
• May 23, 2021 CGC 3.5 Sold: $4,050.00
• May 17, 2021 CGC 2.0 Sold $1,925.00
• May 16, 2021 CGC 1.5 Sold $2,599.00
• May 14, 2021 CGC 0.5 Sold $1,487.00

The highest graded are six CGC 9.6 examples. One example was sold for $380,000.00 by ComicConnect on June 11, 2018. Heritage Auctions recent sales of the issue:

• July 26, 2012 The Avengers #1 Pacific Coast pedigree CGC 9.6 Sold: $274,850.00
• November 19, 2015 CGC 9.6 Sold: 215,100.00
• February 18, 2016 CGC 9.4 Sold: $98,587.00
• August 1, 2013 CGC 9.4 Sold: $95,600.00
• November 21, 2013 CGC 9.4 Sold: $89,625.00

Tales to Astonish #60 from October 1964 represents The Incredible Hulks reemergence after the three sequential issues with The Avengers which had begun in September 1963 with issue #1. According to the CGC population the issue has 7 examples in 9.6 representing the highest grades. The high sale was for a CGC 9.6 on February 7, 2015 for $5,700.00 paid on eBay. The highest population is CGC 8.5 with 44 issues represented.

• July 26, 2012 CGC 9.6 Sold by Heritage Auctions for $3,346.00
• September 24, 2017 CGC 9.4 Sold by Heritage Auctions for $896.25
• May 31, 2009 CGC 9.2 Sold by Heritage Auctions for the same price $896.25

eBay is also a great resource to find average graded examples:

• June 13, 2021 CGC 5.0 sold: $140.01
• June 13, 2021 ungraded sold: $10.50
• June 12, 2021 CGC 4.0 sold: $68.77
• June 8, 2021 ungraded sold: $32.31
• June 5, 2021 ungraded 3.5 estimate sold: $42.00

The Incredible Hulk has seen its popularity rise and fall, and modern action and superhero movies will likely contribute to just how popular the Hulk’s key comic books will be in the years ahead. As a key member of The Avengers, this character is likely to be used over and over — after all, he is basically supposed to be indestructible.