Dave W UNITED STATES
Member Since August 2006
276 Artworks | Watched by 88

1996 Savage Hulk cover Adam Kubert pencils (later painted by Simon Bisley)

Location: (2)Hulk published comic artwork
Artist: Adam Kubert (Penciller)

119  Views  -  29  Comments  -  21  Likes

Additional Images

Image Trifecta

GO NUTS!

Happy OAX customer at Kubert's table
Artwork Details
Location: (2)Hulk published comic artwork
Title: 1996 Savage Hulk cover Adam Kubert pencils (later painted by Simon Bisley)
Artist:  Adam Kubert (Penciller)
Media Type: Pencil
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 119
Likes on CAF: 21
Favorited on CAF: 1
Comments: 29
Added to Site: 4/14/2026

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Description

1996 Adam Kubert cover pencils to Savage Hulk Issue 1

“Simon – can’t wait to see what you do with this! GO NUTS!” … that is what Adam inscribed on the cover as a note to Simon Bisley when this was scanned for him to do his thing over his printed pencils for the cover. I think Simon took the direction to heart and delivered spectacularly!

Has it really been 30 years since this was published? Hard to believe, but it is true! You may remember this cover well (as I did) but probably from the published version where Simon Bisley painted over a copy of Adam’s pencils (see additional image below). Talk about a grisly, angry, raging Hulk – this is an image that is hard to forget.

I first saw the art for this cover at Fan Expo Toronto in 2017 in Adam Kubert’s portfolio and, unfortunately, had to pass it up as I spent my con budget on Dale Keown art. I was amazed to see the raw pencils and the base for what was used as the foundation for the Biz cover – such an amazing team up on this piece. Fast forward to OAX 2026 and – there it is – in one of Adam’s portfolios at the show. I had assumed it had sold somewhere in the 9 years since I first saw the cover. Needless to say, the cover made its way home and is now proudly in my gamma-themed collection. This cover pairs well with my Hulk close up cover that Adam did for Wizard Magazine just a year later in 1997 (linked below).

https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1648640

As an unexpected bonus – these pencils are published as the back cover of the Savage Hulk issue! (image below)

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Comments on this Artwork

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Danny Kiihnl Member Since 2022
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

wow! it amazing to see the pencils on the cover before it was painted. what a powerful piece

Dave W Member Since 2006
Posted On 4/14/2026

Danny Kiihnl wrote:
" wow! it amazing to see the pencils on the cover before it was painted. what a powerful piece "

Thanks Danny! I love seeing the side by side art as well - such a cool look into the way both artists approached the piece. 

Paul Roach Member Since 2014
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Wow! Nice piece. The head shape and eyebrows remind me of Starlin's take on the Behemoth. The scowl is wonderful. Great background story and details too. Congrats, Dave!

Dave W Member Since 2006
Posted On 4/14/2026

Paul Roach wrote:
" Wow! Nice piece. The head shape and eyebrows remind me of Starlin's take on the Behemoth. The scowl is wonderful. Great background story and details too. Congrats, Dave! "

Thanks Paul - I can totally see that! Both artist captured that scowling rage perfectly and in their own way!

Hulk 213 Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Love it! And I'm jealous. Congrats Dave.

Anthony D. Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Great cover, Dave. Glad you got to show this to me in person. It's a beauty.

Dave W Member Since 2006
Posted On 4/14/2026

Anthony D. wrote:
" Great cover, Dave. Glad you got to show this to me in person. It's a beauty. "

Thanks Anthony! Seeing in person does really shows some of the subtle details

Malvin V Member Since 2004
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Nice! Fits your theme and published!

Kavi H Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

congrats on getting it after first seeing it 9 years ago. A great Hulk image/cover, it was meant to be yours! Awesome to see these pencils which led to Bisley's final painting.

Comicart Boston Member Since 2010
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

It is so rare to be able to obtain the pure pencils and this is a truly splendid piece. Many congrats, Dave!

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

That happy customer seems familiar. Not sure where from exactly..

Dave W Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Duke Fleed wrote:
" That happy customer seems familiar. Not sure where from exactly.. "

You are a common denominator in this story as you were at both shows where I saw the art ;)

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Dave W wrote:
" You are a common denominator in this story as you were at both shows where I saw the art ;) "

I love it when you talk math 

Kelsey S Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Beautifully Savage

E DLS Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

I love that the artwork waited 9 years for you.  Means it was meant to be.

K Gearon Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Ooh, I remember that one distinctly.  Killer pencil rendering and love how the left eye is shadowed.  Congrats, Dave!

Dave W Member Since 2006
Posted On 4/14/2026

K Gearon wrote:
" Ooh, I remember that one distinctly.  Killer pencil rendering and love how the left eye is shadowed.  Congrats, Dave! "

Thanks KG! I really appreciate and enjoy seeing each take on the image - both where they are very similar, and where they differ according to artistic flavor. The eye is a good example - both approaches look great - Adam's totally putting the eye within the shadow, and Biz adding just a bit of the eye. The mouth shape and teeth is another good example. Much appreciated!

stephen yarish Member Since 2004
1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Such an incredible piece, glad you added it to your collection!  Kubert is awesome!

1    
Posted On 4/14/2026

Gorgeous!

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

What a potent combo it turned out to be, but here we get some raw Kubert savagery!  A stare that can make one evacuate oneself and there'd be no shame in it.

Dave W Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

Marcus Wai wrote:
" What a potent combo it turned out to be, but here we get some raw Kubert savagery!  A stare that can make one evacuate oneself and there'd be no shame in it. "

LOL, too funny. I am sure a raging Hulk would cause most (if not all) to evacuate ... themselves, the vicinity, etc. Thanks Marcus!

Bill J Member Since 2009
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

OMG! What a frightening grimsce on the face of the Hulk! Adam Kubert did a terrific job of bringing the sheer savage anger to life in this pencoil headshot! Amazing pick-up, congrats!

George H Member Since 2009
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

Love that he still had the art! Perfect addition to your Hulk collection.

T Shen Member Since 2009
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

Amazing Hulk cover and a beautiful pairing to your Kubert Wizard cover. The gems that can be found at OAX, wow! I really need to make it next year - congrats Dave!

Ken Martin Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 4/15/2026

Such a memorable cover and crazy that it is 30 years old.  The pencils are stunning and the note from Adam to Simon is icing on the cake.

Paul P Spiderversity Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 4/16/2026

Definitely an iconic image of the Hulk that sticks in your mind (and haunts your dreams if you're not careful).  A true Adam Kubert classic, congrats!!

Eranga Devasurendra Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 4/17/2026

The word "destiny" comes to mind! I had no idea Adam did the underlying sketch for that Biz cover (even though it's evident now that I look at the signatures). Really cool to see it in its original form. Congrats on finally bringing this baby home, Dave!

Dave W Member Since 2006
Posted On 4/17/2026

Eranga Devasurendra wrote:
" The word "destiny" comes to mind! I had no idea Adam did the underlying sketch for that Biz cover (even though it's evident now that I look at the signatures). Really cool to see it in its original form. Congrats on finally bringing this baby home, Dave! "

It shocked me when I learned Adam did the pencils, and most people weren't aware either from my experience talking about the artwork. I had always assumed it was all Biz as most did as well, apparently.  One of those best kept comic art secrets. Thanks Eranga!!

1    
Posted On 4/17/2026

damn dave, this is such a nice cover piece, well done picking this up

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