Incredible Hulk 141 (1968)

Well, we made it to another Christmas.

Three hundred and sixty-five days. All the holidays – and non-holidays – and, here we are. Ready to close out another year.

This has been a year of ups and downs. Most poignantly Jeff and I said good-bye to dear family members of the four-legged variety. Fuzzy soulmates who saw us through more than a decade.

In my case it was Doublenaught, my furry Russian Blue who spent many an evening curled on my lap as I read. He found me when I needed him most and I am so grateful for our time together.

I won’t speak for Jeff and Robin. They were together for 15 years and is dearly missed.

Another end, but with better tidings, is that of my Incredible Hulk collection. As I mentioned during last year’s countdown, the Hulk run officially began in 2005. Always a favorite character, it wasn’t until then I decided to make a run at the second volume, numbers 102 through 474.

Even then, my pursuit of the title wasn’t a be all, end all. Issues were bought at shows as found and, little by little, the collection grew. It wasn’t until a couple years ago when I acquired a 181 at a yard sale of all places I thought I would actually finish the run.

Then, a month ago LCS owner, Jeremy, bought a collection that included issue 180. After a Black Friday discount I was able to add the next-to-last piece to the series. All that was left was issue 141, the first Doc Samson.

Incredible Hulk 141

I’d seen it the Christmas before at a shop, but it had a subscription crease. Plus, I already had a stack of other comic books in hand, so I passed then.

Now, it was gonna be in my sites. The last issue to finish my collection. That would be the priority for 2026.

When Jeff, our wives and I met to exchange gifts this year, that book was the last present I opened.

Yes, Jeff and Teresa allowed me to finish the series. Not only finish, but be done with it 20 years after I initially started, a much more poetic timeline.

So, like the many presents before, I wish to thank them both.

And, as always, wish them and you a very Merry Christmas.