Hulk #340 vs. Punisher War Journal #6: Should They be Comparable in Price?

For such an immensely well-liked character (in all probability solely second to Spider-Man in the Marvel universe), Wolverine really doesn’t have that many key points. In this weblog, I argue that the market undervalues Punisher War Journal #6 as a Wolverine (and Punisher) key problem, particularly if you examine it to Incredible Hulk #340.

Hulk #340 is the fifth most costly Wolverine key problem.

Even for hardcore comedian e-book collectors, you would possibly be shocked to study that Hulk #340 is, usually talking, Wolverine’s fifth most costly key problem after the Hulk “trilogy” points #180 by #182 (first look in cameo, first full look, and second look in cameo) and Giant-Size X-Men #1 (second full look). According to GoCollect, the FMV of a CGC 9.8 copy of Hulk #340 is $1,600. Earlier this month, a replica bought for $1,700 on eBay.

Surprisingly, this worth of this Copper Age e-book is larger than two Bronze Age Wolverine key points: a CGC 9.8 copy of Wolverine Limited Series #1 (FMV $675) or a CGC 9.8 copy of Uncanny X-Men #133 (FMV $1,400). In phrases of rarity, the CGC Census lists essentially the most copies of Wolverine Limited Series #1 (20,170 blue labels), then Hulk #340 (9,310 blue labels), after which Uncanny X-Men #133 (2,756 blue labels).

The CGC Census presents restricted information, nevertheless; since Hulk #340 is a Copper Age e-book, there are in all probability simply many extra uncooked copies on the market.

Considering how costly Hulk #340 is, it surprises me how cheap Punisher War Journal #6 is. Specifically, in line with GoCollect, the FMV of a CGC 9.8 copy of Punisher War Journal #6 is $120. Just over a month in the past on the time of this writing, a 9.8 bought for a mere $70 throughout an public sale on eBay.

Let’s examine these two books. First, Marvel printed each of those books through the Copper Age (Marvel printed Hulk #340 in 1988, and Punisher War Journal #6 in 1989). Second, they each have iconic covers drawn by well-known artists on the prime of their video games. Todd McFarlane, in fact, penciled Hulk #340, and Jim Lee drew Punisher War Journal #6. Both covers share different similarities as effectively together with Wolverine being the first focus of the covers, however the covers additionally recommend the looks of heroes (i.e., the Hulk’s reflection in Wolverine’s claws, and the Punisher’s costume speared by Wolverine’s claws).

I’d even argue that Punisher War Journal #6 could have some benefits over Hulk #340. First, though the Hulk is a extra iconic character than the Punisher, I’d say that Punisher has a extra die-hard following, and should even be a extra well-liked character right now (I do know plenty of Punisher followers, however not many die-hard Hulk followers). Lastly, despite the fact that the CGC Census presents incomplete information, graded copies of Punisher War Journal #6 are extra uncommon than Hulk #340. Specifically, the Census solely lists 1,439 blue labels of Punisher War Journal #6 in comparability to 9,310 for Hulk #340.

Should Hulk #340 be price 13x greater than Punisher War Journal #6?

Now, I’m NOT saying they need to be equal in worth. Clearly, the market values Hulk #340 extra. On the opposite hand, I don’t assume Hulk #340 ought to price $1,500 greater than Punisher War Journal #6.