This MCU Legends’s First Series Was Cancelled (and You’ll Never Guess Who)

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Marvel Comics began with superhero stories during the early days of comics, but really took off in popularity during what’s known as the Silver Age. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were key figures in creating a shared Marvel Universe, introducing characters who would become pop culture icons, especially with the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While heroes like Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man gained even more fame through the films, the Hulk was already incredibly popular. His comic books consistently sold well, and a classic television show made him a familiar face in many homes.

For decades, fans have loved following the Hulk, arguably the strongest hero in the Marvel Universe. His stories aren’t just about incredible battles; they also explore the complex inner life of a character who is more thoughtful than many people expect. While the Hulk’s comics have been consistently popular for years, that hasn’t always been true. Surprisingly, there was a period when the Hulk struggled to find an audience, and this happened during a creative high point for Marvel.

The Incredible Hulk‘s First Volume Only Lasted Six Issue

Given Marvel Comics’ history, many expected The Incredible Hulk to be a huge success. In the 1960s, Marvel frequently focused on Cold War themes and American ideals, often featuring brave American scientists working to maintain the country’s leading position. The story of Bruce Banner and the gamma bomb test felt like a natural fit for Marvel’s style at the time. Marvel’s comics were incredibly popular then, with their science fiction and superhero stories resonating with readers, and the Hulk’s debut is now considered a classic.

I remember when The Incredible Hulk first launched – it was a shame it only ran for six issues! Those stories, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, were classic Marvel. You could feel that Lee’s over-the-top writing style and Kirby’s dynamic artwork just clicked, like they did on all their books. But looking back, it’s interesting – while they felt very ’60s Marvel, they actually reminded me of some of Marvel’s older, less popular characters and concepts. It seems that approach didn’t quite resonate with the new readers the publisher was hoping to attract.

I always found it fascinating how Marvel wasn’t always about superheroes! Before 1961, they were really into sci-fi, Westerns, and romance. Actually, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were famous for their monster comics at the time. They tended to follow a familiar pattern: someone turning into a monster, or a monster showing up out of nowhere and the army having to deal with it. Then came The Incredible Hulk, and I think those first six issues were a really interesting experiment – a blend of those monster stories and the superhero comics they were starting to create. It felt like a turning point!

Despite Lee and Kirby being at their creative peak, their initial Hulk comic didn’t catch on with readers. The Hulk reappeared briefly in Fantastic Four #12 before going on hiatus until Avengers #1. He then gained a regular spot in the back of Tales to Astonish, a sci-fi/monster anthology comic that transitioned to superhero stories. After 42 issues, this feature was rebranded as The Incredible Hulk, continuing the original numbering from Tales. The book eventually became hugely popular, and most fans don’t realize how unexpected the Hulk’s success was.

The Hulk Was Able to Overcome His Early Failures to Become an Icon

As a lifelong movie and comic book fan, I always hear people talk about Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor being the biggest Marvel characters. But those of us who’ve been reading comics for years know the Hulk was huge way before those guys even took off. It’s funny, though – we tend to forget the rough patches. Everyone thinks the early days of Marvel were just non-stop hits, but the Hulk actually struggled at first. It’s a reminder that even legends have to overcome some setbacks!

The Hulk was intended to blend the sci-fi monster comics that Jack Kirby and Stan Lee had long excelled at with the superhero stories that brought them fame. However, the initial attempt wasn’t a hit. As the series evolved to include classic superhero elements like supervillains, The Hulk gained popularity and ultimately became the iconic character we know today.

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2026-05-18 17:16