The first trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine does not reveal much about the game. Players get a look at Logan in a plaid shirt and cowboy hat, an outfit he can be seen wearing on several occasions in the Wolverine comics. Outside of this casual look for the hero, some thugs can be seen behind him, preparing to attack the intimidating member of the X-Men. Blood can be seen on Logan’s hands, confirming the mature tone for the game.
However, the bar itself has proven to be the most interesting thing for Marvel’s Wolverine fans to search through. Some exciting details can be seen, such as an eyepatch that hints at a specific era from Wolverine’s comics. A travel poster for Madripoor can be seen, hinting that the crime-filled city could serve as a potential location for the game. Even the cash register is a detail, as it reads $19.74 - a nod to 1974, the year that Wolverine made his very first comic book appearance. However, the most exciting teaser of all references The Incredible Hulk, with fans unsure of how much they should read into the secret.
Marvel’s Wolverine’s Incredible Hulk Easter Egg
While the aforementioned details in the first Marvel’s Wolverine teaser are worthy of some discussion, the Hulk easter egg has caused the biggest stir amongst fans. When viewers get a shot of Wolverine sitting at the bar, they can look to the right of all the drinks. Lower on the wall, they will be able to read a license plate clearly. While those not looking closely may shrug this off as a random background detail that is used to make the bar feel more realistic, the phrase “HLK 181” is very intentional.
As many will have guessed, the first three letters are a nod to the Marvel character The Hulk. As for the three digits, they are a reference to issue #181 of The Incredible Hulk comic. While it would normally be random to pay homage to a completely different hero in a teaser like this, that issue of The Incredible Hulk holds some special importance to Wolverine fans as well. This is because issue #181 features the very first appearance of Wolverine in the Marvel comics. Intriguingly, he was at odds with The Hulk in this story, something that would make for a memorable moment in the game.
What Happens In The Incredible Hulk #181
The Incredible Hulk #181 sees Wolverine introduced as a sort of anti-hero. With the Canadian government fearing the Gamma Monster, it sends in Wolverine in an attempt to bring down “the strongest there is.” As such, Wolverine intervenes in a fight between The Hulk and The Wendigo, a cursed creature that is attached to a man named Paul Cartier. Logan first attempts to climb on The Hulk and dig his claws into the back of the creature, but the claws are unable to pierce his skin.
Wolverine then uses his claws to cut into the Wendigo, a move that sees him briefly teaming up with The Hulk. Together, they take down the creature, with Hulk smashing the beast through some trees and Wolverine stabbing it in the throat. While it is immortal and will eventually awaken again, it is unconscious, allowing Wolverine and The Hulk to resume their fight. Their clash is eventually broken up once again by Marie Cartier, the sister of the man possessed by the Wendigo. She uses some chemicals to knock out the warring Hulk and Wolverine, with her goal being to transfer the spirt of the Wendigo to The Hulk.
Before Marie gets the chance to perform the ritual, Hulk and Wolverine begin battling against each other once again. Intriguingly, Logan finds himself losing this fight. Hulk eventually lands a punch, and while Wolverine does roll in time to limit the damage of the strike, the sheer strength of the Hulk is enough to make even a glancing blow effective. With Wolverine knocked out, The Hulk leaves, and the rest of the issue focuses on The Wendigo spirit possessing Marie’s lover.
What Marvel’s Wolverine’s Hulk Easter Egg Could Mean
Admittedly, The Incredible Hulk #181 is a weird story and an odd way to introduce a hero that would become as iconic as Wolverine. A product of its time, Logan is much more likely to fight for himself or the X-Men in modern stories, as the Canadian government subplot is forgettable. Still, including a fight with the Wendigo would be one way to pay homage to this story, and it could make for a fun boss encounter in Marvel’s Wolverine.
Even more exciting would be a boss fight with The Hulk, though it remains to be seen if that will happen. While Insomniac Games has said that Marvel’s Wolverine is a standalone game, that does not mean other established Marvel heroes will not be used. As such, while players will certainly not be seeing Marvel’s Avengers’ version of The Hulk, a different take on the character is certainly a possibility. While the license plate easter egg is likely just a nod to Wolverine’s first appearance, it is hard to deny the potential of a battle - and eventual team-up - with The Incredible Hulk.
The two characters have fought each other on over a dozen occasions in the comics, and for good reason. Their different sizes make a fight extremely interesting, as fights with Hulk serve as one of the rare occasions where Wolverine is an underdog. They can also be extremely brutal, as Logan’s healing factor essentially makes him immortal like The Hulk. Because of this, the two can really tear into each other, with the damage caused by each of their strikes being clearly visible. Old Man Logan’s battle is particularly gruesome, as he is eaten by The Hulk before reforming inside of him and ripping his way out. With even tamer battles like the one seen in the Hulk vs. Wolverine animated movie being entertaining, some variant of the fight would surely translate well into a game.
Still, while this easter egg does make a battle with The Hulk seem a bit more possible, fans should keep their expectations in check. It is most likely just a nod to where Wolverine got his start, even if many are hoping that it means something more. Either way, it is a great reference to the character’s early days, and diving into the story where Logan made his debut should be a lot of fun for those who do not already know it. Insomniac Games has clearly done its homework, and that should help make Marvel’s Wolverine as good as it can possibly be.
Marvel’s Wolverine is in development for PS5.