Writer: Anthony Oliveira
Artist: Jan Bazaldua
Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover Artist: Luciano Vecchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
The Last Annihilation is nearing its end as we see different perspectives of Dormammu’s invasion of the Universe. Before it was with Cable and now it’s back to Wiccan and Emperor Hulkling as they defend the two homeworlds of the Kree and the Skrulls from the Mindless Ones. The Last Annihilation: Wiccan and Hulkling #1 shows what trials and tribulations both heroes go through while they’re light years apart.
Review:
The star heroes Wiccan and Hulkling take center stage here as two young men tackling their longest fears and the newfound responsibilities as heroes and leaders of the Kree/Skrull Alliance. Anthony Oliveira certainly goes the distance to show the strengths and flaws they both share and how they help each other overcome them. The comic also has SWORD stepping in to help out with the defenses as they bring in some mutants, though no one most readers will get excited about.
The comic narrative is divided between the present story and a series of flashbacks centered around Wiccan and Hulkling that build up to the present. I’m not too familiar with their backstory, so I can’t say if this comic is a retcon or not, but the flashback story is very much a sappy love story that aims to complement the main plot. It’s not the most spectacular or dramatic love story, and in several ways it follows a by-the-numbers formula for romance fiction. However, it is a wholesome story with a sincere intent behind it.
There are also some character interactions with the two heroes that are actually interesting and if you ask some people, there’s one fans have been waiting years to happen. Another major point of this comic is showing a positive image of heroes in same-sex relationships that readers will notice with Hulkling’s group in particular. Sadly the action in the comic is a little hit or miss.
The art by Rachelle Rosenberg is good and the same goes for the colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, but it’s not the most exciting art. Even when the characters are fighting Dormammu’s hordes, the art doesn’t always look any better, though it’s not terrible either. It’s just fine. There are some panels and pages where the action looks pretty good but they prove to be the exception not the norm in this comic.
It also doesn’t help that Anthony Oliveira doesn’t do anything cool with the Mindless Ones, but that’s mainly a problem with the rest of the crossover. Dormammu and his Mindless Ones are not exactly entertaining villains in this crossover event, and nothing interesting has really been done with either of them until the ending of Guardians of the Galaxy #17. As for this comic, they serve their purpose to set the stakes and be threats for Wiccan and Hulkling to fight and overcome on their own and together.
Final Thoughts:
The Last Annihilation: Wiccan and Hulkling #1 shows how even when they’re worlds apart the two heroes are inseparable. Most of the story is divided between the present story and flashbacks to the lead characters’ shared past. Some of it is fine and the rest feels a little by-the-numbers. Nothing terrible but it risks being seen as a little cliché, so mileage will vary on that. The action and art are fine but nothing in the story really moves the crossover event forward that much aside from one encounter. However, this is definitely a book for fans of Wiccan and Hulkling who want to see more of these heroes.