Writer: Peter David
Art: Germán Peralta, Jesus Aburtov, Pasqual Ferry, Matt Hollingsworth, VC’s Ariana Maher, Carlos Pacheco, and Rafael Fonteriz
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 9th, 2022
A.I.M., the Pantheon, and even DOCTOR DOOM have all been destroyed by the MAESTRO! Who could possibly stop this tyrant that reigns with a Gamma Green Fist? Well, how about one of the only creatures alive that’s ever been able to stand toe to toe with the HULK and survive? Let’s smash into MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1 by Peter David as fans witness the beginning of this epic final chapter. Get your popcorn ready for WORLD WAR M!
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THE DISPATCH
Right off the back, I’m just going to state the obvious. MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1 is for the FUTURE IMPERFECT/ MAESTRO fan. So, if you haven’t been following along with any of the prior trades but find an evil HULK quite interesting, then I highly recommend you get caught up with Peter David’s MAESTRO content before diving into MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1. This isn’t something you can just jump into even though it says it’s “issue one”. Now, with all that out of the way, David smashes into this new series with a pretty crazy cold open and some special guests that make MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1 significant and thrilling right out of the gate.
It should be absolutely no shock to see that NAMOR is in the issue, especially since he graces the cover. However, the other characters involved and how David incorporates them are rather clever. I love seeing who’s still around in this post-apocalyptic era and it’s always shocking as to the reveals David tosses out. He could pick anyone… but he doesn’t. They’re normally reasonably obscure and thus become even more impactful to the long-time comic fan, which makes the payout even more fantastic.
If there was a knock to this opener, it’d have to be the lack of MAESTRO in the issue. David spends most of MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1 focusing on NAMOR, and the ABOMINATION in order to get fans caught up on where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to. So, to fans that have been following each series to date, this won’t come across as much as a flaw simply because the diehard MAESTRO fans just want to get the party started. It’s the newer fan, which should probably catch up on the past MAESTRO series anyway, that will probably wish they got more MAESTRO in this opening installment.
Additionally, with this being the third recent series of MAESTRO content, David has the formula down to a science. This issue is fast-paced, chalked full of information, and still manages to sprinkle in enough action to keep everyone interested. And readers, this is tough to do. It’s hard to juggle an informative issue that still delivers a high-octane punch. Yet, David does it so well and with such balance. He knows how to work the page count beautifully.
ART
As he’s done since MAESTRO returned, Germán Peralta’s artwork continues to provoke incredible enthusiasm while simultaneously helping the tempo of the issue. As usual, every smash, explosion, or mammoth punch hits the mark and manages to add the fuel that propels this story forward. Moreover, Peralta’s pencils deviate well between the characters and the setting with almost an innate feel to them making MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #1 easy on the eyes. Furthermore, Jesus Aburtov’s colors provide a darker, post-apocalyptic atmosphere with a variety of greens that fit the Gamma feel perfectly. His colors manage to compliment the pencils providing an intensity to the issue that’s dominant but also inviting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Peter David instantly starts off with so many moving pieces providing so many different angles the narrative could go. And the best part is, we know MAESTRO survives. He has to or FUTURE IMPERFECT won’t happen. Yet, even though we know the end result, David still manages to keep readers on the edge of their seats wanting more. Since David rekindled the MAESTRO run with these prequels, he’s kicked this future post-apocalyptic world wide open with potential. The sad part is I genuinely wish this series wasn’t his last. Now, I know someone else could come along and continue the character, as well as this world, but I don’t want them to. I want Peter David expanding this universe and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Hopefully, MARVEL and Peter are reading this. But, this is Elseworld storytelling that carries weight.
Others have tried to dabble but David has the prescription that just works! The biggest knock from a MAESTRO fan standpoint that I hope David hits on in this final series is his power level. MAESTRO is strong but the INCREDIBLE HULK could barely stop him in FUTURE IMPERFECT. And we’re watching him go toe to toe with HERCULES, DOCTOR DOOM, the Pantheon, and now ABOMINATION and NAMOR. These are all people that I feel like the original MAESTRO would decimate. However, for story purposes, he tends to struggle a bit to start. Hopefully, David can shed some light on that angle before MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M wraps. That said, this is a must-buy for any long-time HULK fan and should be on everyone’s pull list. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!