When the Monster Leveled Up — Hulk Goes Retro
If Incredible Hulk #181 was where Wolverine was born, then Immortal Hulk #1 was where Hulk was reborn. In 2018, writer Al Ewing and artist Joe Bennett reinvented Bruce Banner in one of Marvel’s boldest runs — a psychological horror series that made the Hulk terrifying again.
But one cover in particular hit a different nerve with collectors — the 16-Bit Variant by Matthew Waite. Rendered in classic pixel-art style, it turned Marvel’s angriest hero into a nostalgic nod to the 8- and 16-bit video-game era, complete with blocky fury and vintage boss-fight energy.
📰 Publication Details
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Publisher: Marvel Comics (United States)
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Series Title: The Immortal Hulk
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Issue Number: #1 (16-Bit Variant Edition)
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Year of Release: 2018
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Format: Standard U.S. comic, full color
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Writer: Al Ewing
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Artist: Joe Bennett
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Cover Artist: Matthew Waite (16-Bit Variant)
🎮 What Makes It Special
Part of Marvel’s 16-Bit Variant Program, this cover transformed iconic characters into pixelated tributes to arcade and console classics. Waite’s take on Immortal Hulk was instantly memorable — a looming, blocky green titan roaring against a minimalist retro backdrop, as if ready to stomp through an old-school side-scroller.
While Immortal Hulk quickly became known for Alex Ross’s breathtaking main covers, the Waite 16-Bit variant captured something else: fun. It celebrated fandom across generations — from those who collected comics in the Bronze Age to those who grew up button-mashing on a Sega Genesis.
💬 Collector Notes
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Print Run: Estimated retailer incentive, approximately 1 per 25 copies ordered.
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Market Value: Moderately scarce in high grade; CGC 9.8s trend upward due to cross-collectibility (comic + gaming).
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Appeal: One of the standout 16-Bit covers of 2018, with the pixel style making it instantly recognizable.
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Fun Fact: Matthew Waite not only drew the Hulk in pixel form — he also embedded subtle “sprite flicker” effects to mimic authentic retro animation frames.
🌍 Legacy
Just as La Masa #4 brought Wolverine to Spain in 1974, Immortal Hulk #1 (16-Bit Variant) brought nostalgia to a new generation in 2018 — blending gaming, art, and superhero myth. It’s a reminder that even in a world of digital perfection, a few well-placed pixels can still make us feel something primal.
For collectors, this issue represents the fusion of two passions: comics and classic gaming. It’s a love letter to every fan who ever smashed buttons — or walls.
Next in this series: We’ll jump back to 1976 for Marvel Comics UK: The Mighty World of Marvel #198, one of the most fascinating international variants ever printed.
Stay nerdy,
Randell
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