Hulk #1
Hulk #1 (2008) launched a brand-new volume of Marvel's premier gamma-powered franchise in the direct aftermath of World War Hulk, and it did so by introducing one of the most audacious conceits in modern Marvel history: a second, red-skinned Hulk whose human identity was deliberately hidden from both the characters in the story and the reading audience. That sustained mystery — 'Who is the Red Hulk?' — became a monthly water-cooler event for Hulk readers throughout 2008 and 2009, a rare whodunit structure grafted onto a superhero action book. The series established Red Hulk as a genuine addition to the Hulk mythos rather than a gimmick, eventually folding him into the Avengers and generating his own decade-long supporting cast and narrative threads. Its MCU adaptation in Captain America: Brave New World (2025) confirmed that the character's debut here has had lasting reach far beyond the page.
Find on ebay
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The concept originated with Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, who proposed debuting a red version of the Hulk whose human identity would remain secret, deliberately inverting the classic Hulk reveal structure. Writer Jeph Loeb — a four-time Eisner Award winner already known for high-stakes mystery plots — was paired with artist Ed McGuinness, his frequent collaborator since their Superman run at DC; McGuinness had signed an exclusive two-year contract with Marvel in May 2006, and Hulk vol. 2 was the flagship project to come out of that deal. The book was edited by Mark Paniccia with Nate Cosby as assistant editor, and it launched on January 9, 2008, carrying an on-sale date just weeks after the conclusion of the World War Hulk event, positioning the new series as the immediate next chapter for the Hulk line. Inker Dexter Vines — McGuinness's longstanding artistic partner, whose combined signature with McGuinness reads 'EdEx' — completed the interior art team alongside colorist Jason Keith.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First cover appearance of Red Hulk — the crimson behemoth appears prominently on the cover but does NOT appear in any interior panel of issue #1; the first interior/in-story appearance of Red Hulk is in Hulk #2 (2008).
- Written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Ed McGuinness, inked by Dexter Vines, colored by Jason Keith; edited by Mark Paniccia.
- The concept of a red-skinned Hulk was proposed by Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, who designed the character's human identity as a mystery to be withheld from both in-story characters and readers.
- Red Hulk's identity — General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, the Hulk's oldest nemesis — was not revealed until the 2010 World War Hulks storyline, roughly two years after the series launched.
- The issue contains the death of Abomination (Emil Blonsky), initially framed as a Hulk killing but later confirmed to be Red Hulk's work, and features the first team appearance of a new Winter Guard roster including Red Guardian, Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo, and Darkstar.
- The issue was part of the Hero Initiative charity program: blank-cover copies were given to various comic artists to create original artwork, which were then auctioned; these hand-drawn copies are not considered standard variants.
- The first five issues of the 2008 series sold out and received second printings with new covers; the series was commercially successful enough that Red Hulk went on to become a member of the Avengers beginning with Avengers vol. 4 #7 (2011).
- The full Loeb/McGuinness run (Hulk #1–24, plus associated material) was collected in a landmark omnibus edition; a WhatNot Exclusive reissue of Hulk #1 with new foil cover variants was published in April 2025, reflecting continued reader interest in the debut issue.
Reprints
Reprinted in Hulk #1 (2009)
Key issues in Hulk
Other variants of Hulk #1 (5)
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.