The Incredible Hulk #250
Published as a double-sized 250th-issue anniversary celebration, this Bronze Age milestone used the Silver Surfer's desperate bid to escape Galactus's planetary barrier as a framework for one of the most character-rich single issues of Bill Mantlo's five-year Hulk run. Beyond the central Hulk-vs.-Surfer conflict — which marks the first encounter between the Surfer and Bruce Banner as a conscious man rather than as the mindless brute — the issue functioned as a deliberate 'world tour' that seeded a wave of new international characters across one globe-spanning sequence. In a single issue, Mantlo and Sal Buscema delivered cameo introductions of Sabra (Marvel's first Israeli superhero), the Collective Man, the Arabian Knight, and the first team appearance of the Soviet Super-Soldiers, all of whom were being developed for the forthcoming Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions. The issue is therefore a structural cornerstone of Bronze Age Marvel world-building, with its character debuts having lasting narrative and cultural consequences, most visibly in Sabra's reimagined appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In "The Monster! (Chapter 1)," Bruce Banner finds himself caught between a desperate plan and a cosmic threat when the Silver Surfer arrives seeking a way to break through the barrier that imprisons him. With the townsfolk's anger turning violent and gamma radiation unleashed, Banner is forced to confront his own transformation as the Hulk, only to be drawn into a desperate journey that will test both his humanity and the Surfer’s resolve. Written by Bill Mantlo and illustrated by Sal Buscema, with vibrant colors by George Roussos and sharp lettering by John Costanza, this pivotal issue features a striking cover by Al Milgrom.
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Bill Mantlo picked up writing duties on the Incredible Hulk with issue #245 in March 1980, and issue #250 — cover-dated August 1980 — arrived just five issues into his tenure, making it an early signature statement of what would become a celebrated five-year run with artist Sal Buscema. The issue was edited by Al Milgrom, who also drew the cover, under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. According to CBR, Mantlo was simultaneously developing international heroes for the Contest of Champions project, and deliberately used the Hulk's 'world tour' sequence in this issue as their preview stage, introducing characters who would appear fully in subsequent solo issues of the same title before the Contest itself. The Mantlo–Buscema partnership that produced this issue would ultimately span roughly six years on the title.
Trivia · 7 facts
- Written by Bill Mantlo, penciled and inked by Sal Buscema, cover by Al Milgrom; edited by Al Milgrom under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. Published August 1980 (released May 1980), 52 pages.
- Double-sized 250th-issue anniversary spectacular featuring the Silver Surfer as guest star — the Surfer's attempt to use Bruce Banner's gamma-radiation expertise to shatter Galactus's barrier imprisoning him on Earth forms the core plot.
- First cameo appearance of Sabra (Ruth Bat-Seraph), Marvel's first Israeli superhero — a mutant Mossad agent created by Mantlo and Buscema. Her full debut follows in Incredible Hulk #256 (1981). The character was later adapted for the MCU film Captain America: Brave New World (2025), portrayed by Shira Haas.
- First cameo appearance of the Arabian Knight (Abdul Qamar) and first cameo team appearance of the Soviet Super-Soldiers (Darkstar, Vanguard, Crimson Dynamo, and Ursa Major/Mikhail Ursus), all in the Silver Surfer's globe-spanning reconnaissance sequence. The Soviet Super-Soldiers' first full appearance comes in Incredible Hulk #258.
- Marks the narrative first meeting between the Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd) and Bruce Banner as a conscious human being, despite the Hulk and Surfer having fought and teamed up multiple times prior (first clash: Tales to Astonish #92–93).
- Contains two documented in-story continuity errors acknowledged in the Marvel Database: Red Guardian (Tania Belinsky) is depicted among the Soviet Super-Soldiers despite never being a member, and the Arabian Knight appears with his flying carpet and magic sword before he acquires those items in the later Incredible Hulk #257.
- Exists in both a Direct Edition and a Newsstand Edition, as well as a Mark Jeweler advertisement insert variant — all with the same cover-dated August 1980 publication.
Cast · 39 characters
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Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Bruce helps infuse the Silver Surfer with gamma radiation from the equipment at the base but it is not enough. Angered townsfolk arrive, destroying the equipment and loosing the radiation. Banner absorbs it, turning back into the Hulk. Grabbing the Hulk, the Surfer heads upward, planning on absorbing Hulk's gamma radiation to break through the barrier. It works but he sees Banner, who has reverted back, falling to his death. The Surfer re-enters the barrier and saves Banner by re-channeling the radiation back into his body, but condemning himself to once again be trapped on Earth.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
