Publishers / Marvel / The Incredible Hulk (1968) / #281
281March 1983
$0.60; 0.25 GBP; 0.75 CAD

The Incredible Hulk #281

Marvel · March 1983 · on sale 1982-12-07

First appearance: Willow2 variants
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
The Incredible Hulk (Marvel, 1968 series)
Issue
#281
Publication date
March 1983
Key date
1983-03-00
On-sale date
1982-12-07
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.60; 0.25 GBP; 0.75 CAD
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Willow - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Ed Hannigan; inks: Steve MitchellBruce Banner, Hulk
1Auditioncomic story22script: Bill Mantlo; pencils: Sal Buscema; inks: Joe Sinnott; colors: Bob Sharen; letters: Jim NovakBruce Banner, Clint Barton, Bereet, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man, Jackdaw, Rick Jones, Leader, Heather O'Gara, Thor Odinson, Monica Rambeau
2-in-house column1script: Jim Shooter, David Michelinie; pencils: David Michelinie, Jim Starlin; inks: David Michelinie, Jim Starlin; colors: Glynis Oliver, David MichelinieBruce Banner, Syzygy Darklock, Vanth Dreadstar, Hulk, Oedi, Willow First
3-letters page1script: Ann Nocenti

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.60 USD; barcode 0714860245603
Canadianprice 0.75 CAD; barcode 0714860245603

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Incredible Hulk: Pardoned #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-6208-7		2012On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk #19
ISBN 978-1-302-96239-5		2025On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

‹ #280180 of 374#282 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q115927336 (Willow), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com