THE INCREDIBLE HULK #162

Cover shows strong color and gloss with only mild wear at the top spine and a faint tick mark near the upper edge; corners appear reasonably sharp with slight softening at the bottom right. There is minor edge wear along the right border and a small crease visible near the bottom left corner. The book is in a protective sleeve which limits some detail assessment, and the interior and back cover were not evaluated.

The Incredible Hulk #162 (April 1973) introduces the Wendigo, the snow-demon transformation curse that has recurred as one of the Hulk's most durable adversaries across the character's Marvel history. Written by Steve Englehart with art by Herb Trimpe, the issue folds Canadian folklore into the Hulk's rogues' gallery, giving the series a new monster whose mythic, transformation-based premise distinguished it from the era's typical strongman villains. The creative team's handling of the concept helped set up later storylines that expanded the Wendigo's mythology and tied it into the broader Canadian-set Hulk material of the mid-1970s.

Market data shows a book with a broad, deep census (over 1,100 Universal copies graded) and steady collector demand rather than speculative spikes. Pricing climbs gradually through the mid grades before accelerating sharply at the top of the census, with 9.8 copies trading many multiples above 9.4 and 9.6 examples — a pattern typical of Bronze Age villain-debut issues where high-grade survivors are scarce relative to demand. Recent 90-day and 30-day activity at the 9.8 level remains firm, indicating sustained interest from Hulk specialists and villain-key collectors rather than a book resting purely on nostalgia.

This issue is best understood as a second-tier Bronze Age key: a reliable, always-wanted addition to Hulk villain runs and a natural pickup for collectors building out first appearances of recurring foes. Lower and mid-grade copies move steadily as reading or run-filling copies at modest prices, while high-grade slabs, particularly true 9.8s, command a real premium and trade in a comparatively thin, competitive market. It suits both character-focused collectors and those assembling complete Englehart/Trimpe Hulk runs.