Incredible Hulk (1968) 420

This is a day most people don’t want to recognize. Today reminds people they should still be afraid. Afraid and careful.

Today, Sept. 18, is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. Today is a day to focus on the number of persons infected who are living longer lives with HIV/AIDs. An estimated 1.2 million persons are HIV infected in the United States. Of those, around 24 percent are 55-years of age or older.

Incredible Hulk (1968) 420

The day is designed to focus on a dark reality, too. The campaign hopes to make others aware of the growing number of grandparents who are primary caregivers of children who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS.

Incredible Hulk issue 420 was casually released to readers with little warning. Just a red ribbon and grim cover belied Peter David’s Lest Darkness Come inside.

Making his final appearance is long-time Hulk friend Jim Wilson. He had been revealed as HIV positive in Incredible Hulk 388. Issue 420 is his swan song, dying from complications arising from AIDS.

Betty Banner plays in a separate scenario as she works to stop a suicide attempt by a young man diagnosed as being HIV positive. Her attempts are met with tragedy as the man ends his life while selfishly keeping his secret from his girlfriend.

The letter’s page is forgone for the issue allowing comic industry pros: Michael Kraiger, Nicholas J. Vance, Barbara Slate, Jeph Loeb, Joe Rubinstein, Mindy Newell, Chris Cooper, Gary Guzzo, Don H. DeBrandt, Tom A Tenney and Kelly Corvesse a chance to voice their stories and feelings about the ongoing battle.

An estimated 74.9-million people have been infected with HIV since the disease first began taking victims in 1981. Since then, 32 million have died of AIDS-related illnesses. In 2018 alone, 770,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses.

The National Institutes of Health launched National HIV/AIDs And Aging Awareness Day in 2008. To become more involved, visit The AIDS Institute.