For fans of X-Men, and in particular fans of the adamantium-plated mutant Wolverine, The Incredible Hulk #181 holds a special place in their heart. While this issue served as the official debut for one of the biggest names in pop culture, The Incredible Hulk series also featured the debut of another classic Marvel character. Do you know who this is? 

Created by Steve Englehart and Herb Trimpe, the first Wendigo debuted in The Incredible Hulk #162 in 1973. Based on the legend of the Algonquian peoples, the Wendigo was not one specific person, but rather the manifestation of a curse. If someone committed an act of cannibalism in the Canadian north woods, they would take on the curse of the Wendigo. Not only did this affect their outward appearance, transforming them into a fur-covered beast with hardened talons, but this curse also gave the recipient superhuman strength, stamina, durability, endurance, speed, and a regenerative healing factor. In most versions of the character, only one person can be Wendigo at a time, being cured if another person was struck with the curse.

After being cursed, the afflicted will roam the woods in search of human beings to eat. The first Wendigo, Paul Cartier, was seen battling the Hulk during his debut appearance. He later battled the Hulk and Wolverine, before being cured toward the tail-end of #181 as college professor Georges Baptiste became the Wendigo. During Baptiste’s turn as the Wendigo he terrorizes a snowbound group and battles the likes of Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Alpha Fight. Following his capture, Baptiste is cured by Alpha Fight’s Shaman and promptly arrested by Department H. Fur trapper Francois Lartigue is the next casualty of the Wendigo curse. This Wendigo battles both the Hulk and Sasquatch before being taken to be cured by Shaman.

During a much later, much wilder storyline, a pack of Wendigos are somehow able to invade Las Vegas. Here they are confronted by the Grey Hulk, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, Sentry, and the Green Hulk. The Green Hulk is briefly infected by the Wendigos, becoming the “Wendihulk.” Fortunately, the sorcerer Brother Voodoo appears and is able to cure both the Hulk and the other Wendigos. 

While various Wendigos have made appearances across comic books, animated television series, and even the animated film Iron Man and Hulk: Heroes United, Hasbro has recently unveiled a new Wendigo Build-a-Figure for 2019. You can read more about this figure, and others joining the 2019 lineup, here on Scoop.