Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 4/88 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-005737
THE INCREDIBLE HULK #342
Peter David-era Hulk issue from the late Copper Age run following the grey Hulk's Las Vegas period
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | April 1988 | Copper | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover displays strong gloss and vibrant McFarlane cover art with sharp, square corners and clean edges. Spine appears tight with no visible stress lines or ticks. No creases, tears, or stains are evident in this photo; the book is protected in a plastic sleeve which limits full assessment. Interior pages and back cover were not visible and were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $3 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $8 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $150 |
// Archive commentary
The Incredible Hulk #342 arrived during Peter David's celebrated writing tenure on the title, a period widely credited with elevating the series from a straightforward monster book into a psychologically layered ongoing narrative. By this point Bruce Banner's grey-skinned, streetwise "Joe Fixit" persona had taken over the lead role, having assumed control several issues earlier under Todd McFarlane's now-famous cover work; #342 continues that storyline with interior art from the era's rotating art team rather than McFarlane himself. The issue holds interest primarily as a chapter in David's long-form character arc rather than for any singular first appearance or landmark event.
Market data for this issue is thin, reflecting its status as a mid-run installment rather than a sought-after key. Certified sales cluster in the $10-$18 range for grades 8.0 through 9.2, with the sole cluster of higher-grade activity settling around $100 at 9.6. No sales have been recorded above that tier, and demand appears driven mostly by completists assembling full runs of David's Hulk rather than by speculative or crossover interest.
This is a book that trades as a run-filler: raw copies move cheaply and steadily to readers finishing the David/McFarlane-adjacent stretch of the series, while high-grade certified copies see only occasional transactions, typically to census-chasers rather than character-driven buyers. It is not a title likely to see meaningful appreciation absent a broader surge in Copper Age Hulk demand, but its low cost of entry keeps it a reasonable pickup for series completists.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-005737 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
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