7 Best Hulk Artists Ranked (And Gary Frank Isn’t #1)

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The Hulk is renowned as one of the strongest characters in existence, and his stories have been incredibly diverse over the decades. These tales range from classic monster battles, where the Hulk fights other creatures or is seen as a destructive force, to complex explorations of his inner struggles and the world around him. Sometimes, Hulk stories even venture into horror, showcasing the terrifying potential of a man who can transform into such a powerful being. Since the 1960s, the artwork in Hulk comics has brilliantly captured all of these different facets, delivering some truly memorable moments for readers.

While many talented artists have illustrated the character’s stories, a few have become truly renowned. Gary Frank is one such artist, highly respected for his collaborations with Geoff Johns at DC and Image Comics. However, even with his impressive skills, he wasn’t the very best to depict the Green Goliath’s adventures. These seven artists represent the pinnacle of Hulk illustration, and Frank doesn’t quite reach the number one spot.

7) Joe Bennet

The comic series The Immortal Hulk gained a dedicated following, and a major reason was the artwork by Joe Bennett. Bennett perfectly captured the series’ horror elements, delivering truly unsettling and graphic imagery. While his work on the book sparked controversy due to some problematic depictions, the quality of his art itself was undeniable. His detailed pencils are considered some of the best Hulk artwork ever created, and played a key role in bringing horror back to Hulk stories.

6) Todd McFarlane

Todd McFarlane is a highly celebrated artist known for his incredible work on The Incredible Hulk. He worked on issues #330-334 and #336-346, depicting the Hulk as a huge, savage, and powerfully muscular creature. A standout moment was issue #340, which featured a brutal fight between the Hulk and Wolverine – a battle where both nearly met their end. McFarlane’s distinctive style perfectly captured the raw, monstrous energy of the era, solidifying his reputation as one of the best artists to ever draw the Hulk.

5) Sal Buscema

The Hulk’s long publication history includes a particularly significant period defined by the incredible work of Sal Buscema on The Incredible Hulk. This Marvel Comics legend both penciled and inked numerous issues, specifically #124 and #134-136, and penciled issues #194-203, 205-217, 218-221, 223-229, 231-240, 241-243, 245-248, 250-273, 274-278, 280-309, as well as Annual issues #5, 8, 14, and 15. Buscema was an incredibly productive artist for Marvel, and his depiction of the Hulk was truly outstanding. His detailed artwork, dynamic action sequences, expressive character work, and stunning backgrounds created beautiful pages that have inspired countless artists over the years.

4) Herb Trimpe

Even before Jack Buscema began illustrating Hulk comics, Herb Trimpe established the character’s visual identity. Trimpe was a prolific artist for Marvel, consistently delivering work for years. He drew The Incredible Hulk for an impressive run, specifically issues #106-142, 145-193, 204, 355, and 393, as well as Annuals #6, 12, and 16. Trimpe’s Hulk was a towering figure of immense strength, and his action sequences were dynamic, powerfully illustrated fights that truly came alive on the page. He’s considered one of the defining Hulk artists; many other artists wouldn’t have been able to create the character without building on his work. He dedicated seven years to drawing the Hulk, with only a short break between his two long periods on the title, essentially showing everyone how Hulk comics should look.

3) Dale Keown

In the 1990s, Marvel Comics prioritized striking artwork, and Dale Keown was a particularly popular artist. He became known for his work on The Incredible Hulk, contributing to many issues starting in 1990, including numbers 367, 369-377, 379, 381-388, 390-393, and 395-398. He also illustrated several Hulk-related titles later on, such as Hulk: The End, Giant-Size Hulk, Incredible Hulk: Last Call, and Maestro. He also worked on crossovers at Image Comics, including Hulk/Pitt and The Darkness/Hulk. Keown’s Hulk was powerfully built, and his artwork was known for clean lines and incredible detail. His action scenes were dynamic, and he drew beautiful, realistic people. For many fans, he defined the look of the Hulk during that era and consistently delivered high-quality work.

2) Gary Frank

Gary Frank is a highly acclaimed artist, and his career really took off thanks to his work on The Incredible Hulk. Before achieving widespread recognition, he contributed to Marvel UK, then landed a significant role illustrating issues #403-411, 413-418, 420-423, and 425 of The Incredible Hulk. He later returned to the title for issues #100-101 and 106-107 of Volume 3. Frank’s clear and straightforward art style was a great fit for the character and his stories. He worked during a particularly celebrated period for the Hulk, under writer Peter David, and expertly captured both the exciting action and the thoughtful character development – and humor – that David was known for (including a memorable bachelor party issue!). His work on The Incredible Hulk remains a highlight of his impressive career.

1) Adam Kubert

As a huge comic book fan, I have so much respect for Adam Kubert. He really followed in his father’s footsteps and became a true legend. I first noticed his work on Wolverine – it was incredible and launched him into the spotlight. Then he tackled The Incredible Hulk, and honestly, his run is iconic. He drew a ton of issues – #454-456, 458-460, 462-464, 466-467, the 1 issue, and #87 of the third volume – and his Hulk was just phenomenal. His action sequences were dynamic, his character work was powerful, and he really captured the raw emotion of the character. Seriously, he drew some of the most moving scenes in Hulk’s history. He’s one of the greats, and it’s time everyone recognized his amazing talent.

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2026-02-21 21:18