We are proud to present Marvel Superheroes: The Incredible Hulk. These 10 classic Marvel covers are hand-signed by both Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno − star of the classic CBS TV series, The Incredible Hulk.
S U P E R H E R O E S T H E I N C R E D I B L E H U L K
A SP E C I A L co l l e c t i on o f l i m i t e d e d i t i on art O F i con i c com i c book cov e rs s i gn e d by Stan L e e & l ou f e rr i gno
STAN L E E b. 1922
Stan Lee is an iconic American comic book writer, editor and former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. Born Stanley Leiber in New York city December 28th 1922, he signed his name as Stan Lee when he wrote his first comic book script ‘Captain America Foils the Traitors Revenge’, in 1941. Stan Lee had a gift for inventing plots with more depth and substance than the distinguished competition. He created characters with interesting personalities, who spoke like real people. They suffered personal hang-ups and the bad guys possessed previously unseen psychological complexity. Lee’s first creation alongside Jack Kirby, launched under the Marvel brand, made history in November 1961. Lee added wit, subtlety and hidden morals to a genre that was previously locked into flat portrayals of good versus evil; a style of story writing that endures to this day. He collaborated with several comic book artists, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and went on to co-create Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the
Silver Surfer, The Avengers and many more fictional characters. Stan Lee’s Marvel Revolution also extended beyond the characters and storylines, to the way in which comic books engaged the audience and created a community between the readers and the creators. Additionally, he pioneered and advocated the use of comic books to comment on social issues of the time, including bigotry, injustice and discrimination. This got him into some hot water with the rather conservative Comics Code Authority but Lee wouldn't yield, he continued to pursue what he believed in and what he knew his audience craved; thus the code changed. In summary, Stan Lee and his collaborations with some of the greatest comic book artists ever to have lived, changed the game. In 1984, Stan Lee was awarded The National Medal of Arts by the United States Congress, the highest honour awarded to an individual artist in the United States. Previous recipients include Georgia O'Keefe, William de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein and Bob Dylan.
L OU F E RR I GNO
b. 1951
When The Incredible Hulk first burst onto TV screens in 1978, audiences were captivated. The juxtaposition of mild-mannered scientist and powerful superhero resonated with all those who sought to find their own inner strength. The man behind the green Goliath was Lou Ferrigno, a former Mr. Universe who had fought off his own nemeses on the road to success. Bullied at school after suffering a series of ear infections that left him with only 25% of his hearing, the Brooklyn-born actor would go on to become a symbol of power. Inspired by childhood heroes, including the Marvel characters The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man, Lou threw himself into athletics. Focusing mainly on weightlifting and bodybuilding, he began weight training at the age of 13. In 1973, at the age of 21, he won the titles of IFBB Mr. America and IFBB Mr. Universe, making him the youngest-ever recipient in the competition’s history – a Guinness World Record he still holds to this day. After appearing in the 1977 docudrama Pumping Iron , he caught the attention of television producer Kenneth Johnson, of Six Million Dollar Man fame.
The screenwriter was searching for the right actor to play the larger-than-life comic book superhero for his upcoming CBS TV series, The Incredible Hulk . With his 6ft 5in, 285 lb frame, Lou crushed his competition, which included fellow bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. He played the titular role until 1981, with the final episodes broadcast in 1982. Following the huge success of the show, the iconic character commanded several individual feature film adaptations, as well as many appearances as a member of Earth’s mightiest superheroes, the Avengers. Lou has featured in blockbusters such as Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk (2008) and The Avengers (2012), cementing his larger-than-life reputation as a TV and motion picture star. Now a motivational speaker and fitness trainer, Lou’s legendary portrayal still lives on. Husband to wife Carla and father to Shanna, Louie and Brent, his life mirrors that of his character, whose strength came from a desire to protect his family. While the Hulk may not have uttered a single word in the four years he appeared on screen, he spoke volumes for the little boy who one day became his own hero.
SUP E RH E RO E S
Washington Green Fine Art proudly presents The Incredible Hulk collection of Superheroes: iconic comic book covers, created, orchestrated and masterminded by the legendary Stan Lee. Penned and inked by some of the greatest artists to emerge from the comic book industry, these 10 classic covers feature one of Marvel's most popular characters, The Incredible Hulk (a.k.a. Dr. Bruce
Banner). He leapt from the pages of comic books in 1962 when he starred in THE INCREDIBLE HULK #1. Since then, the Hulk has been a central character in several other comic book series, including The Fantastic Four, The Avengers and Tales to Astonish, not to mention the live-action TV series and Marvel feature films.
HU L K SMASH !
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first issue introduces Dr. Bruce Banner as a scientist working on the gamma bomb. Upon seeing a teenager named Rick Jones at the test site, Banner runs out to warn him and gets caught in the blast. The side effects of the radiation cause Banner to transform into an angry monster at nightfall. Over time, Banner’s transformations become a consequence of his emotional state rather than the time of day. Drawing inspiration from classic monsters like Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Quasimodo, The Incredible Hulk was born. Interestingly, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s debut issue shows the original Hulk as grey, not the iconic green superhero we know today. This was because Stan Lee wanted to use a neutral colour to avoid any association with a particular ethnic group. However, the printers struggled to keep the Hulk’s grey skin consistent, so it was quickly changed to green for the second issue. It wasn’t until later in his appearance in Tales to Astonish that his emotional
state would be the trigger for changing into the monster that has graced so many of Marvel’s comic book covers over the last 56 years. The cover of a comic is considered the most significant artwork within the book. It is both a statement and an advertisement that will encourage the reader pick the comic up and buy it. Well executed, it can entirely transform the viewer’s understanding of a character and plot. Whether the cover shows one or more of our heroes on the brink of death, or indeed the comic world as we know it coming to an apocalyptic end, the chances are that the inner pages will right the wrongs shown on the cover, and good will once again triumph over evil. Therein lies the delicacy of touch needed by the revered Marvel cover artists. The balance of visual information must be enticing yet elusive, with just enough of the plot played out for the reader. As both a head-turner and a page-turner, it presents a new mythology for the 21st century.
The Incredible Hulk #34 - Return of the Monster Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 95 | Image Size 30" x 44" | Framed £2,250
The Incredible Hulk #26 Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 9 | Image Size 34" x 50" | Framed £3,250
The Incredible Hulk #120 - Kill The Hulk! Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 9 | Image Size 34" x 50" | Framed £3,250
The Incredible Hulk #461 Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 9 | Image Size 34" x 50" | Framed £3,250
The Incredible Hulk #468 - A Startling Discovery Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 9 | Image Size 34" x 50" | Framed £3,250
The Incredible Hulk #105 - This Monster Unleashed! Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 195 | Image Size 27½" x 40" | Framed £2,000
The Incredible Hulk #1 - The Strangest Man of All Time! Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 195 | Image Size 27½" x 40" | Framed £1,500
The Incredible Hulk #307 Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 195 | Image Size 27½" x 40" | Framed £1,500
The Incredible Hulk #152 - WhoWill Judge The Hulk? Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 195 | Image Size 27½" x 40" | Framed £1,500
Marvel Super-Heroes Featuring The Incredible Hulk #82 - Marvel's TV Sensation Limited Edition Boxed Canvas of 195 | Image Size 27½" x 40" | Framed £1,500
S U P E R H E R O E S T H E I N C R E D I B L E H U L K
The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2018. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission. washingtongreen.co.uk
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