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- "If you freaks want to tangle with someone -- why not try your luck against -- me!"
- ―Wolverine
| "And Now... The Wolverine!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The Incredible Hulk | |
| Title: | "And Now... The Wolverine!" |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Number: | 181 |
| Cover price: | .25 |
| Cover date: | November, 1974 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Roy Thomas |
| Writers: | Len Wein |
| Pencilers: | Herb Trimpe |
| Inkers: | Jack Abel |
| Cover artists: | Herb Trimpe |
| Cover inker: | Herb Trimpe |
| Colorists: | Glynis Wein |
| Letterers: | Artie Simek |
| Editors: | Roy Thomas |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Incredible Hulk #180 |
| Next: | Incredible Hulk #182 |
"And Now... The Wolverine!" is the title to the 181st issue of the second Incredible Hulk ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Len Wein with artwork by Herb Trimpe and inks by Jack Abel. It was colored by Glynis Wein and lettered by Artie Simek. Herb Trimpe also rendered the cover art illustration to this issue. The story was edited by Roy Thomas. This issue shipped with a November, 1974 cover date and carries a cover price of .25 cents per copy (US).
"And Now... The Wolverine!"[]
The clawed hero Wolverine leaps out from the top of a rocky hill landing between the Hulk and The Wendigo. Scurrying onto the Hulk's back, he begins swiping at him with his diamond-hard Adamantium claws, but even they cannot pierce the Hulk's skin. Realizing that the Wendigo may prove to be an easier target, Wolverine springs over the Hulk's head and launches himself at the Wendigo. His suspicions prove correct, and his claws rake into the woodland creature’s hide.
The Hulk, confused by this sudden turn of events, concludes that the "enemy of my enemy is also my friend", so he assists Wolverine in stopping the Wendigo. The Hulk picks the monster up and smashes him through a grove of trees. Wolverine finishes the job by sinking his claws into the Wendigo's throat. The Wendigo is an immortal creature, however, and even this seemingly fatal blow is not enough to kill him. For the time being, though, the Wendigo is unconscious.
Now Wolverine turns his attention onto the Hulk. The fight is furious, but brief, until two bystanders, Marie Cartier and Georges Baptiste, use chemicals to knock them both out.
Marie Cartier prepares once again to conduct an occult ritual that will remove the spirit of the Wendigo from her brother's body, and transpose it onto the Hulk. With the Hulk unconscious, he slowly changes back into Robert Banner. Georges refuses to take part in Marie's plan any longer. Arguing that it was bad enough when she intended on placing the curse on a mindless monster, but now she plans to subject an innocent human being to the curse of the Wendigo. Georges angrily storms off.
Marie tries to drag Banner's body back into the cave with the unconscious Wendigo, but Banner awakens and just as quickly turns back into the Hulk. Wolverine revives as well and the two begin fighting once again. Marie flees from the battle and races back into the cave. The Hulk swings a mighty punch, but Wolverine manages to roll just in time so that it is only a glancing blow. The punch is still strong enough to knock him out however.
Inside the cave, Marie discovers that Georges has completed her occult ritual. He has transferred the power of the Wendigo out of Paul Cartier's body and placed it inside his own. As the new Wendigo, the last vestiges of Georges' intellect quickly fade away, but not before he manages to profess his love for Marie Cartier. The Wendigo turns and smashes through a section of cavern wall and runs off into the forest. Paul Cartier is now forever free of the curse of the Wendigo.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Holderidge (Only appearance)
- Mathews (Only appearance)
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Powers
- Accelerated healing
- Immortality
- Primal instinct
- Superhuman agility
- Superhuman durability
- Superhuman stamina
- Superhuman strength
- Transformation
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Hulk was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Incredible Hulk #1 in May, 1962 in a story titled "The Coming of the Hulk".
- The tagline to this issue is "And now... Wolverine!"
- This issue carries the approval stamp of the Comics Code Authority.
- This issue shipped to retailers on July 30th, 1974.
- Incredible Hulk 181 redirects to this page.
- This issue includes Marvel Value Stamp #54, which features Shanna the She-Devil.
- This is the first full appearance of Wolverine. He made a cameo introductory appearance at the end of Incredible Hulk #180. His true name is not identified in this issue. Later stories will provide the civilian name of Logan, but his actual name will one day be revealed as James Howlett in the Wolverine: Origin comic book limited series from 2001.
- An alternate take on the Hulk's first encounter with Wolverine is presented in What If? #31 titled "What If Wolverine Killed the Hulk?". Another take on this story is revisited years later What If?, Volume 2 #50 in "What If the Hulk Killed Wolverine?"
- This story is loosely adapted in the Hulk vs. Wolverine animated film in 2009.
- This is the first appearance of Holderidge, who is a member of the Weapon X Program. No more appearances to date.
- This is the first appearance of Mathews, who is a member of the Weapon X Program. No more appearances to date.
Reprints[]
The story from this issue is reprinted in the following volumes:
- 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time 3
- Best of Wolverine 1
- Essential Hulk 5
- Incredible Hulk and Wolverine 1
- Incredible Hulk: The Complete Collection
- King-Size Hulk 1
- Marvel 75th Anniversary Omnibus
- Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men 8
- Marvel Milestone Edition: Incredible Hulk Vol 2 181
- True Believers: Wolverine vs. the Hulk 1
- Wizard Ace Edition: Incredible Hulk 181
- Wolverine Battles the Incredible Hulk 1
- Wolverine Omnibus 1
- X-Men Firsts 1