The Essential Hulk Crossovers: Ranked by Impact and Collector Value

Hulk is the Marvel character who best embodies raw power, and crossovers systematically exploit this dimension. When the Hulk is involved in an event, the physical stakes are at their maximum: he lifts mountains in Secret Wars, destroys Manhattan in World War Hulk, dies in Civil War II. Every crossover uses Hulk as a marker of how bad the situation is.

For a collector, Hulk crossovers produce visual and narrative moments that instantly become key issues. Banner's death, World War Hulk's rage, the transformations: these issues are sought after as much for their impact on continuity as for their artistic quality. Here are the essential events ranked by importance.

World War Hulk (2007): Absolute Vengeance

Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. deliver a 5-issue event where the Hulk returns to Earth to take revenge on the Illuminati who exiled him to space (Planet Hulk). He faces and defeats Black Bolt, Iron Man, Doctor Strange and the Fantastic Four. This is the definitive Hulk crossover, the one who demonstrates his limitless power.

World War Hulk #1 is the main key issue (€20-60 in 9.8 CGC). The full event with tie-ins Incredible Hulk #106-111 and World War Hulk: X-Men makes for spectacular reading. For the Hulk key numbers, this event is the modern peak of the character.

Secret Wars (1984-1985). The Mountain

In Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #4, Hulk holds up a 150 billion ton mountain to save the heroes trapped underneath. This moment has become one of the most iconic images in Marvel history. The complete 12-issue series (Jim Shooter, Mike Zeck) is a mainstay of any serious Marvel collection, with #8 (Spider-Man's black symbiote) as the absolute key issue.

Secret Wars key issues for Hulk

Secret Wars #4 (the mountain): €30-80 in 9.8. Secret Wars #1: €50-150. The complete series 1-12 is a solid investment whose odds continue to rise.

Civil War II (2016). The Death of Bruce Banner

Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez orchestrate an 8-issue event centered on the Inhuman Ulysses who predicts the future. In Civil War II #3, Hawkeye kills Bruce Banner with an arrow, at the prior request of Banner himself. This shocking moment redefined the Hulk status quo for several years. Number #3 is the key issue Hulk of this event (€15-35 in 9.8).

Fear Itself (2011): Nul Breaker of Worlds

Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen deliver a 7-issue event where Hulk is possessed by one of the Serpent's hammers (Cul Borson) and becomes Null, Breaker of Worlds. This corrupted version of Hulk is even more destructive than the original. Fear Itself #1 trades between €10 and €25 in 9.8, and the Hulk transformed into Null appears in Fear Itself #2-4.

Original Sin (2014): Banner's Secrets

Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato orchestrate an 8-issue mystery event. Original Sin #3 reveals that Tony Stark secretly helped create the Hulk by modifying the gamma bomb. This revelation poisons the Hulk/Iron Man relationship for years. The Original Sin: Hulk vs. Hulk tie-in Iron Man #1-4 explores the direct aftermath.

Summary of values

World War Hulk #1: €20-60 (9.8). Secret Wars #4: €30-80. Civil War II #3: €15-35. Fear Itself #1: €10-25. Planet Hulk (prequel to WWH) Incredible Hulk #92: €40-100. The Planet Hulk + World War Hulk cycle remains the safest Hulk investment.

Reading order and collecting tips for Hulk crossovers

The five events in this guide read in publication order, which also traces the character's trajectory:

• Secret Wars (1984-1985): 12 issues, Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck.
• World War Hulk (2007): 5 issues, Greg Pak and John Romita Jr.
• Fear Itself (2011): 7 issues, Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen.
• Original Sin (2014): 8 issues, Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato.
• Civil War II (2016): 8 issues, Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez.

Only one of these stories needs prior reading: World War Hulk is the direct sequel to Planet Hulk, Hulk's exile into space, launched in Incredible Hulk #92. Without it, Hulk's vengeful return loses much of its meaning, since the Illuminati are the ones who sent him there. That is why the Planet Hulk and World War Hulk cycle is collected as a block.

Always tell the main series apart from the tie-ins. For World War Hulk, Incredible Hulk #106 to #111 and World War Hulk: X-Men extend the event; for Original Sin, the miniseries Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man (#1 to #4) explores the consequences of the revelation in #3. In Fear Itself, Hulk appears transformed into Nul only in issues #2 to #4, so there is no point hunting elsewhere for the scene you want.

Each event rests on one specific issue, and that is the one the market singles out:

• Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #4: Hulk holds up the mountain.
• Secret Wars #8: Spider-Man's black symbiote, the series' absolute key issue.
• Original Sin #3: Tony Stark's secret contribution to Hulk's creation.
• Civil War II #3: the death of Bruce Banner.

Three practical tips for the collector:

1. Buy the whole miniseries rather than just the star issue. These stories span several issues and read poorly in fragments; a complete set beats an isolated issue.
2. Check the exact title of a tie-in before buying. Several miniseries have names close to the main event, and mix-ups are common.
3. Tell stable values from cyclical ones. Secret Wars rests on demand established for forty years; recent events depend more on publishing news. For modern issues, favor standard covers over rare variants whose demand remains uncertain.

To build a coherent base without buying everything, start with the Planet Hulk and World War Hulk cycle, add Secret Wars #4 and #8, then complete with Civil War II #3 if you follow the character's recent evolution.

Frequently asked questions