Cover art by Berni Wrightson, Marvel Comics (1976). Graded-copy photo courtesy of Almost Anything Opelika.
Some comic covers make you stop before you ever open the book. The Incredible Hulk #197 is one of them. Published in 1976, this Bronze Age Marvel issue puts the Hulk face to face with Man-Thing beneath a cover by Berni Wrightson, an artist whose gift for drawing monsters makes the encounter feel suitably wild.
The pairing is a treat. The Hulk is all fury and force; Man-Thing is a shambling, unsettling presence from the swamp. Wrightson brings those very different characters together in an image that promises a clash worth reading. It has the immediate appeal of a superhero battle, with a touch of the eerie atmosphere Man-Thing brings wherever he goes.
Inside, the Collector draws the Hulk into another confrontation and sends Man-Thing against him. That setup gives readers exactly what the cover promises: two of Marvel’s most distinctive green giants crossing paths. The issue also captures something fun about Bronze Age comics. A single cover could throw together characters from different corners of the Marvel universe and make you wonder what would happen when they met.
A copy graded CGC 9.4 adds another reason for collectors to take notice. The grade identifies a high-grade copy, especially appealing for a comic that has had decades to pick up wear from handling and storage. The slab also lets the Wrightson cover take center stage as a display piece.
For Hulk fans, Man-Thing fans, and collectors who follow great cover artists, #197 offers an enjoyable combination: a memorable matchup, unmistakable Bronze Age energy, and artwork that demands a second look. The story begins with a simple question printed across that striking cover: what happens when these two giants collide?
Where to buy it
The CGC 9.4 copy of The Incredible Hulk #197 pictured here is available from Almost Anything, 221 South 9th Street in downtown Opelika, which has specialized in comics and collectibles since 1992. It is listed at $249.99 as of Sept. 26. Buy it online from Almost Anything or call the store at 334-741-0808.
Almost Anything is an advertiser with the Opelika Daily News.
