Incredible Hulk #181: Still going strong
According to Urban Dictionary, Incredible Hulk #181 is “the most overvalued comic book in existance. Very common in high grades, and yet very highly valued.” There is some truth to this statement, but it is not entirely accurate.
It was not too long ago that this particular issue was devalued in the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (OSPG). It went from $480 to $465 (NM- condition)in the 1999 and 2000 editions. So, how did it get back up to $1400 for a Near Mint minus copy in the 2007 OSPG? There are so many factors at work for this specific book and it would be impossible to name all of them. However, a brief overview will allow us to appreciate how buyers tripled their top bids for what has become one the Holy Grails of many comic book collectors. But first a little history.
Published in November 1974, Hulk 181 was written by Len Wein and illustrated by Herb Trimpe. It featured the deut of the animal-themed character, Wolverine. Originally created as a throwaway character for an adventure in Canada, Wolverine had a very brief introduction in Incredible Hulk #180. It was this cameo that was considered his first true appearance for quite some time. Sometime within the last ten years the issues flip-flopped and Hulk 180 was knocked down to cameo status.
In 1975 Wolverine appeared in Giant-Size X-men #1 as a new team member. Over the next decades his popularity and legend grew until he was starring in his own mini-series and eventually a solo title in 1988.
While the value of Hulk 181 has enjoyed some prestige over the surrounding issues of Incredible Hulk for quite some time, the climb in value was steady until the advent of the Certified Guarantee Company (CGC) in 2000. Third-party comic graders, CGC, changed the way the supply of comic books were perceived. No longer were prices dictated by how many were available by mail-order or on a convention floor. Rather, there was now a census of professionally-graded comics for all in collectordom to see.
Once the first appearance of Wolverine became a commodity based on condition, prices paid for higher grade copies took off. There is one 9.9 (out of a 1-10 scale) graded copy, which according to rumor has had offers up to $60,000, which were turned down. While a very small percentage of collector’s will busy themselves with the pursuit of such ultra-high grade (copies graded 9.8 have been fetching between $10k to $20k), there are still plenty Wolverine fans out just trying to get a “nice” copy. One thing that all dealers can agree on is that the book is none scarce by any means. That does not mean that the demand is not there. For every copy of Hulk 181 that makes it to the marketplace there are enough buyers present to keep the prices bouyed up the their current levels.
Recently, following the success of the X-Men movies, there was an announcement that a Wolverine film was in the works. It is probably a good bet that his elevation to movie star will only bring more attention to his first appearance. In the end, the character’s status as a Marvel Comics headliner, on par with “classic” characters like Spider-man, Hulk and Captain America will create the perception that Hulk 181 is a good investment going into the future.
Some Wolverine Keys on eBay:
