When The Incredible Hulk TV series exploded in popularity in the late 1970s, Topps seized the moment with a trading card set that captured the show’s gritty charm, its emotional core, and of course, the unforgettable sight of Lou Ferrigno turning green and smashing everything in sight. Released in 1979, the Topps Incredible Hulk set remains one of the most iconic non‑sport card collections of the decade — a perfect blend of TV memorabilia, vintage Topps design, and pure late‑’70s energy.

Below is a full deep‑dive into the set’s history, production, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and a clean printable checklist for collectors.

Origins of the 1979 Topps Hulk Set

A TV Phenomenon Meets a Trading Card Giant

By 1979, The Incredible Hulk starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno was a certified hit. The show’s mix of drama, action, and pathos made it one of the most successful Marvel adaptations of the era. Topps, already dominating the non‑sport card market with sets based on Star Wars, Superman, and Charlie’s Angels, recognized the opportunity.

The result was a 99‑card base set plus 11 stickers, all packaged in classic wax packs with gum — the unmistakable Topps formula of the era.

What Made the Set Distinctive

• Bright green borders that matched the Hulk’s signature color

• Photo‑based cards using stills from the TV series

• Captioned scenes that added comic‑book flair

• Puzzle backs that formed a large Hulk image when assembled

• Sticker inserts featuring Ferrigno’s Hulk in dramatic poses

The set was designed to appeal to both young fans of the show and collectors who loved Topps’ colorful, playful style.

Behind the Scenes: How the Set Came Together

1. Working With Universal Television

Topps collaborated with Universal to access:

• Production stills

• Publicity photos

• Episode photography

Because the show was filmed on 35mm, the stills were crisp enough for trading card reproduction — something not always true for TV productions of the era.

2. The Challenge of Capturing the Hulk’s Transformation

One of the show’s trademarks was the transformation sequence — David Banner’s eyes turning white, his shirt ripping, and Ferrigno emerging in full makeup. Topps wanted these moments in the set, but:

• Some transformation shots were copyrighted separately

• Others were too grainy for card printing

• A few were considered “too intense” for kids’ cards

As a result, the set includes only select transformation images, chosen for clarity and tone.

3. Lou Ferrigno’s Makeup and Lighting Issues

Ferrigno’s Hulk makeup was famously difficult to photograph. Under certain lighting:

• The green makeup appeared brown

• Highlights washed out the color

• Shadows made the prosthetics too obvious

Topps’ designers had to adjust color levels manually during printing, which is why some cards show slightly different shades of green.

4. Bill Bixby’s Influence

Bixby was deeply protective of the show’s emotional tone. While he had no direct involvement in the trading card set, Universal reportedly filtered which images Topps could use:

• No overly comedic shots

• No scenes that undermined Banner’s dignity

• No spoilers for major episodes

This is why the set leans heavily on action scenes and dramatic moments rather than behind‑the‑scenes candids.

5. The Puzzle Back Tradition

Topps loved including puzzle backs in their non‑sport sets. For Hulk, they created:

• A large, full‑color Hulk poster image

• Spread across the backs of multiple cards

• Encouraging kids to trade duplicates to complete the puzzle

This feature is one reason complete sets remain popular with collectors today.