1978 Incredible Hulk 228 Final page splash by Sal Buscema and Bob McLeod
Artists: Sal Buscema (Penciller) , Bob McLeod (Inker)
70 Comments - 3,817 Views - 14 Likes
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Artwork Details
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DescriptionGetting this page was an exercise in frustration and patience. I thought I had it in the bag via a Comic Link auction in 2012 only to be sniped by a higher bidder at the closing second(s) of the auction. Very frustrating considering I would have gone higher but I felt my bid was more than enough (approximately double what it was going for before the close to bring it home. I learned a valuable lesson for online auctions – bid the absolute max you are willing to pay, not what you think is enough to win. Fast forward to this year and the page again became available … patience paid off (not too mention an increased price).Reading comics during this era, I always marveled at the opening and closing pages as they did a really great job at setting up the story and then putting you on the edge of a cliff hanger for the continuation of the story in the next issue. In this issue, Hulk had been in serious battle with the powerful villainess Moonstone and had only just taken the upper hand of the battle, ready to toss Moonstone around before she (unbeknownst to Hulk) turned back into her frail alter-ego, Dr. Karla Sofen. A page with the Hulk being called a Monster has always been something that appealed to me as it is such an integral part of the character’s persona. Hulk always seemed to find himself in a situation where he was misunderstood so this wasn’t all that uncommon … and in this page he really fits the bill as this Hulk appears to be ready to hurl an innocent to her death. The one-month wait for issue 229 to see what happened seemed like an eternity. I have been trying to find a really nice splash page example of Sal’s artwork for quite a long time. A few chances have come along but nothing ever worked out until this page. As Sal didn’t do a lot of covers, a nice splash has been my highest targeted acquisition for many years. I have tried in vain to pry several splash pages out of private collections with no success so this page was the culmination of many failed attempts. Like most collectors, nostalgia is a very strong factor in building our collections. Hulk 228 was the second issue I read new and is my sweet spot when it comes to the fond memories of discovering the Hulk comic book as a youngin. As such, having a splash from this story arc pop up made the page well worth the wait. This image was one of the few that was burned into my memory as I started in earnest down the comic reading (and ultimately art collecting) path. Owning it is an immense privilege and I feel very fortunate to be the current custodian of such a great piece of artwork and Hulk history. If you are the previous owner, I want to say thanks (bought via the comic link exchange program so I am in the dark as to who I bought it from) for agreeing to let it go, it has found a good home. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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P A 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
Epic Hulk splash Dave! Huge congrats on acquiring your target piece! It's truly incredible!
Andrew Allen
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
It's found the Best of homes! Congratulations, I'm thrilled for you!
Michael Browning
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
Wow, what a splash! This is an awesome piece of Sal Buscema Hulk art and the inks by Bob McLeod are great!
R Shur
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
That is one seriously pissed-off Hulk masterfully rendered by Sal B and Bob McLeod
Shannon El Guapo Slayton
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
Congrats, brother! That is about as good a Hulk page as there is!
Jimmy Lawrence
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
PERFECT addition to your collection my friend!!!
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
HULK 226-228 is a major nostalgic sweet spot for me, too! A well-loved Toys-R-Us 3-pack! Congrats on landing this, I will come visit often!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
Felix Lu wrote:
HULK 226-228 is a major nostalgic sweet spot for me, too! A well-loved Toys-R-Us 3-pack! Congrats on landing this, I will come visit often!Nice! I have pages from all 3 issues (more postings to come) and they ooze nostalgia for me as well.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
classic dialogue! all around fantastic find. congrats!
Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
One of the best Hulk splashes I've ever seen.Add the nostalgia and your up and down journey of losing and finally obtaining your prize. Cheers!!!!
Bill C
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/5/2016
Fantastic backstory, the page obviously found the proper home. Love hearing stories like this. Glad you were able to pick up one of your A list pages.
Dave Kopecki
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Huge congrats, Dave! This is a killer splash!
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
So much to love about this page. Iconic Buscema splash (Buscema's Hulk from issues circa 220-230 remains the best, IMHO), great storyline, Amazing McLeod inks (I wish he had inked more Buscema...). Excellent!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/6/2016
Carlo M wrote:
So much to love about this page. Iconic Buscema splash (Buscema's Hulk from issues circa 220-230 remains the best, IMHO), great storyline, Amazing McLeod inks (I wish he had inked more Buscema...). Excellent!Thanks! Agreed re McLeod. It would have been nice to see him ink Sal more. Sal had so many inkers during his run and McLeod often gets overlooked but he did a wonderful job on this book.
Mike W
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Congratulations on acquiring this memorable splash!!!! Well done, my friend!!!!!!!!!
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Awesome! Owned this many years ago, it's a killer splash, congrats!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
Posted on 12/6/2016
Dino Mauricio wrote:
Awesome! Owned this many years ago, it's a killer splash, congrats!Thank you! I may reach out to you, I'd love to hear more about when you owned it.
Rob Shalda
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
This is Splashtastic!! It has a proper home with you Dave!Congrats!
stephen yarish
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
a true grail piece of awesome Sal Hulk artwork.
Joshua McCoy
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Congrats, Dave! Glad to see you were finally able to bring this one home!
Canadian Collector
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Best Sal Hulk splash I have see to date. Congrats!
Dewey Cassell
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Wow, that Hulk splash is absolutely amazing! Sal Buscema at his best. Congratulations! (Well worth the wait.)
Eelco V
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/6/2016
Super nice and great Hulk splash by Sal! And love Reading the background stories how pursue it. Congrats!
Conrad Langley
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/7/2016
This era of Buscema's is the definitive Hulk for myself as well... Congrats on the acquisition!
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/7/2016
Wow, just a quintessential Hulk image. Bravo!
Kyle K
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 12/9/2016
Wow, this seems like the perfect example for you. Great piece, congrats.
Jimmy Cawley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 12/9/2016
I love CAF members stories almost as much as the art sometimes. The truly passionate blurbs scream off the page. Enjoy for a long time!
Jared Simmons
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/27/2016
This is my Hulk. This is as good as any cover. I would own this in a heartbeat...hint hint :)
Bill Thomson
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/27/2016
Nobody depicted the Hulk's rage like Sal Buscema and this amazing splash proves it!!!
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/28/2016
Outstanding splash page! The stuff of legends! Huge congrats!
Ken Martin
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/31/2016
I think grail gets thrown around way too much but this is a definite grail. Congrats on adding this epic splash to your collection.
Fred Chamberlain
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 7/16/2017
Beautiful splash! Sal B and McLeod made a striking pair!
Nicolaj Borch
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 10/15/2017
This is such a strong and Wonderful piece, Buscema at his absolute finest.
T Shen
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 10/29/2018
Just seeing this now - wow what a great addition to your already amazing collection! This doesnt belong anywhere else... Congrats Dave!
Phoenix’s Galactic Gallery
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 1/15/2019
I love the story leading to you eventually getting the piece. And a really excellentmonsterous image of the hulk with the perfect dialogue to illustrate the character..Great gammatastic stuff !
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/29/2019
I know there were a lot of great artist runs on Hulk. Byrne, Keown, and Frank immediately come to mind. And of course the epic Trimpe run. But Sal's is right up there and probablly one of my all time faves. Congrats on this "incredible" (sorry, couldn't resist) splash!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Fabulous splash! This is the Hulk the way I remember him--Fierce and angry and defiant! Buscema nails it!
Pinup Brigade
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 4/19/2020
I always enjoyed Sal Buscema's work on the Hulk. When I think of the Hulk, this is the version I like best. Hulk likes scrambled eggs and beans.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
Posted on 5/19/2020
Dave, I was just taking a nostalgic trip through my scans, trying to pick out all the Hulk splashes and covers I used to own. This was always my favourite of the Sal Buscema splashes I had and I'm blown away at how many comments this generated. When I think this was just one piece out of my entire Hulk collection, and I remember that I never even got around to posting any of it before I sold it all, I can't help lamenting not having been able to see what it would've looked like, all put together in the same gallery. It boggles my mind just thinking about it. So great to be able to see this one posted though. Thanks for helping to keep my memories alive!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 6/29/2020
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Dave, I was just taking a nostalgic trip through my scans, trying to pick out all the Hulk splashes and covers I used to own. This was always my favourite of the Sal Buscema splashes I had and I'm blown away at how many comments this generated. When I think this was just one piece out of my entire Hulk collection, and I remember that I never even got around to posting any of it before I sold it all, I can't help lamenting not having been able to see what it would've looked like, all put together in the same gallery. It boggles my mind just thinking about it. So great to be able to see this one posted though. Thanks for helping to keep my memories alive!
Thanks Ruben, sounds like you had quite the treasure trove of Sal Hulk artwork. I kind of wish you still had some left so that we could marvel over them ... and I could possibly pull a few from your collection;) Thanks again!
Johnny M
Member Since 2014
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 4/16/2021
I love this explosive piece and the vintage feel.
Boris B
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 5/25/2021
Very Hulk-ish colection, one could assume you are a Hulk fan👍. Big congrats on this beauty
Dave W
Member Since 2006
Posted on 5/25/2021
Boris B wrote:
Very Hulk-ish colection, one could assume you are a Hulk fan👍. Big congrats on this beauty
Thanks! Your deductive reasoning is spot on! ;)
André .
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 1/27/2022
This page has everything going for it. You'd be hard pressed to find a more representative example of Sal on Hulk. Beautiful - congrats!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/30/2022
Put me iin the long, long, long queue of people who would like to have this in their collection. What a great few issues length story this was and this is the best page!
Hobby Halbert
Member Since 2022
1 - Posted on 2/10/2023
Wow! Does it get much better than this? Talk about a fierce piece of artwork! Absolutely love it
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