1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Great page! Klaus is always superb on Sal, bringing out the bestiality of the Hulk, as is obvious here in the transformation sequence. I love the reinforced steel 'couch'. It's almost as if Doc is expecting trouble. Congrats!

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

What a coincidence.  I also have a Buscema/Janson grail issue, and what do you know, it also involves the Hulk.  It's Defenders #19 with the Wrecking Crew.  The first page splash to that issue would be among the holiest of grails for me.  Not that I could afford it even if it ever popped up.  So I completely get where you're coming from with this page.  I'm so happy you were able to get something from your grail issue.  Maybe some of your luck will rub off on me.  I hope you enjoy this for years to come.  And let's hope that, while this may be the first, it won't be the last.  Congrats buddy!

Posted on 9/9/2021

Thanks Eric - best of luck to both of us on our Sal/Klaus Hulk hunts!

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

That's so awesome! Congrats!

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

227 is also a nostalgic number for me, I loved Marla Gibbs, Brenda (Regina King) and Jackee when she dragged out saying "Marrre-ray" every Saturday after the Golden Girls during the mid 80's.  Anyways, this page was definitely during the height of Bixby / Ferrigno Hulk-mania and the comics proudly carried that TV Sensation banner.  This was a scene that Janson added a bit of horror with the screentone and shadows all around.  The tiara look could have been taken from Excorcist 2, trying to find the root of the problem through psychiatric means.  Which was a popular thing before they just prescribed drugs for everything a few years later.  

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Let's start Club227! Thanks Marcus - love the horror analysis on the piece - I hadn't thought of that but see the connection. Thanks again!

2 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Yes, Doctor Samson, forget the Exorcist 2 brainwave monitor thingee, just give the Hulk a prescription for some Prozac. (Admittedly, that probably would not look as cool on a comic book page.)

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Congratulations Dave! Glad you were able to add this page to your collection. I love the transformation sequence.

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Congrats on obtaining a piece as important to you as this. We all collect for different reasons, but nostalgia and what connects with us - seems to always be part of that equation. So happy that you were able to add this to your collection. Congrats Dave.

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

What exactly is Samson up to? Kinda kinky there Bert.

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

possibly explained in the unpublished pages from this issue?!

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

This would explain why you are holding them back from CAF. Say no more, say no more.

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Amazingly, I just looked at the clock, and it's exactly 2:27pm!  Well, okay, it's 3:14pm, but close enough, right?  Great page!  Love that slow four-panel transformation.  Adds a solemn dignity to the proceedings, and I love the "Eh?" from Hulk at the end.  Kind of like, "Okay, what now, let's get this over with."  Buscema and Lanson make such a great artistic team. 

Posted on 9/9/2021

Thanks Paul ... and sigh, I did actually think about posting at 2:27 - I beat the OCD this time!

2 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Really plays into the "monster" Hulk and the Dr. Jeckyl / Mister Hyde original concept. 

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

i am always in a bit of shock of how massive Hulk's fan base is in our community. i just didn't know prior to becoming a member. this is a great page. its not often i see the calm of the Hulk. this is different from the norm. congrats

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

Gorgeous page!  I love Janson's inking from this period!

1 - Posted on 9/9/2021

This is amazing and thanks for sharing that story! As beautiful as the art is, I can see why pages from this issue would be that much more meaningful. I personally can't remember which issue was my first but if I did, picking up a single page (let alone such an awesome page) would be a dream come true. Super happy for you Dave!

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

Emotional factors aside, 227 remains one of the best issue of the Hulk mythos, story and art-wise.  Great example!

Posted on 9/10/2021

Thanks Carlo, I appreciate that! I sure picked the right issue to be my first, for a host of reasons! 

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

Fantastic page and a great transformation scene by two great artists.  It's a battleground for Hulk 227 pages so glad to see you acquire another page from this book.  Congrats Dave!

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

Sal and Klaus are an awesome combination and you have to love that transformation!!

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

Damn that's awesome!  Great page and great issue!

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

Wow, sincere congrats, Dave.  You're right - picking up OA from your first comic, or the comic that resonates most with you...can't be beat.  Great flow from top to bottom, and I particularly love the 4 transformation panels up top!

1 - Posted on 9/10/2021

If Doc Samsom is out of network with Hulks HMO, this is gonna be expensive

1 - Posted on 9/11/2021

That's just so awesome!!!!! I'm happy you're sharing your love and passion with us!!

1 - Posted on 9/11/2021

Thank you! That's what this great hobby is all about!

1 - Posted on 9/13/2021

I like your story as much as the art. The coolest thing about this hobby is getting those nostalgic pieces that make your heart sing, like this page does for you. And what a sweet page! Doc Samson, transformation page, great Hulk dialogue, and lovely inks. The zipatone use in panel 6 is top-notch. You can add me to the list of those that will keep an eye out. Big graily congrats!

1 - Posted on 9/14/2021

Thanks J H! and thank you VERY much for this: "You can add me to the list of those that will keep an eye out" .... this means a lot and it truly appreciated!

1 - Posted on 9/15/2021

Love the art, love the story. A true collector will always have that special Grail issue or artwork which means more to them than anyone else on the planet. Well done for scoring yours, Dave. And you're quite right - Sal and Klaus are an amazing combo...good to have a shout-out for the old zips, too! They are goorgeous, and work to sculpt the grizzled features of Old Jade Jaws perfectly! 

1 - Posted on 10/7/2021

The meshing of Buscema and Janson here is wonderful.  I wish they had done a lot more together.

1 - Posted on 10/7/2021

You and me both, especially on hulk issues, but there are examples of their collaboration on the defenders run. Thanks so much!

1 - Posted on 11/9/2022

Great transformation page!

1 - Posted on 11/9/2022

Thanks Amir!

1 - Posted on 4/29/2023

I had this comic as a kid and the panels of Banner transforming to the Hulk really stuck with me. Amazing page!

1 - Posted on 7/4/2023

I need to revisit this issue. I can't wait to see what page you track down next from this issue.

Posted on 12/17/2023

Great page and story, Dave! You never forget your first comic (for me, Hulk 139)! These 227 pages have such great images of the Hulk, and I love Janson's inks on these!

Posted on 1/18/2024

Superb Incredible Hulk page by the great Sal Buscema and the amazing Klaus Janson. I love the transformation scene in the top four panels. When have we seen a transformation that wasn't painful and violent for Bruce Banner? Love that closeup shot of Hulk's face in the sixth panel. And that final bottom panel with Hulk stretched out on the table and all wired up is reminds me of the way Frankenstein was laid out befoe coming to life. Be careful, Doc Sampson!