Maestro #1

Maestro #1 is no mere nostalgia trip. It's a dark, masterful look into the psyche of Marvel's most powerful force, and the world that ultimately forces him to become the worst, most vile version of himself. This is a stunner of a comic with a huge legacy to fulfill, and it more than does so as the entire creative team rises to the challenge - and then some. Read Full Review

Both Dale Keown and German Peralta deliver some amazing art in this issue. Both artists bring something special to their passages both in terms of style and detail. Keown's beautiful panels are dreamlike in their details and composition. Peralta's are equally as detailed, but add a gritty reality that reflects the change in the story. Read Full Review

Readers, MAESTRO #1 is an amazing place to start after an almost 30-year layoff from the original narrative. David creates a vivid, realistic story while sprinkling in a few wrinkles that left this reviewer wanting more. As cliche as it might be to say, I not only didn't want the narrative to end but I left this inaugural issue overly excited for what's to come. This comic simply felt like it's been missing from the current comic landscape and I have no doubt Hulk fans will be thrilled with David's first issue. Read Full Review

Peter David's writing takes readers on an emotional roller coaster. Read Full Review

If you asked me before reading this if we needed a Maestro origin story I would have said flatly no, but now that I've read it I can't deny the intriguing story introduced here. We're essentially seeing the disassembling of a hero and I can't wait to see how he continues to grow into a supervillain that could rival any other. Read Full Review

Maestro #1 is a comic where I cringed at first. I didn't think it was a story we needed to know, the mystery worked. But, after reading the issue, it's a solid opening that has a lot of potential as to where it takes us and goes. While much of it is familiar it's a perfect start and base to see the further evolution of the Hulk as a character. Read Full Review

Maestro#1 is the start of a gripping origin story, featuring one of the Marvel Universe's deadliest villains. I'm happy David gets to return to the world of "Future Imperfect" and show how it came to be. Hopefully, in future issues, we can see more of the post-apocalypse world Read Full Review

Maestro #1 is a satisfying opening chapter that runs at a whirlwind pace. Keown's Hulk has a certain regal handsomeness that truly sells the reality of Peralta's bearded beast, whilst Peter David's mournful script sets the stage for tragedy and horror. Make no mistake, by Maestro #1's end, you'll be pulling for the monster who is set to become the megalomaniac. With the knowledge of what is to come, it's bittersweet stuff. Read Full Review

In the end, Maestro #1 served as a solid start for his origin story. We know that this is supposed to answer how the world fell and the Maestro rose, though for this first issue the effort was placed primarily on the world which came before what most fans know. Read Full Review

In Maestro #1, expert creators throw the end of the world at the Hulk. This is very much a stage-setting exercise; his actual turn to villainy is yet to come. Although the particular shape this armageddon takes is a little tired, a brisk script and gorgeous art do plenty to make the ride enjoyable. The prospect of reading on isn't at all daunting; we can't wait to see what sort of trouble the Hulk will stir up. Read Full Review

What I like about this first issue the most is just being about to get inside of Maestro's head and watching him come to terms with the end of the world. The Hulk has always had a contentious relationship with humanity. From the way they've treated him to the hypocrisy of the heroes he's worked side by side with. Very quickly after seeing the aftermath of their destruction, you can see him give up on humans. Who can blame him? It's a good start. However, a lot of it is expected, especially if you've read the original. Hopefully, there will be a few surprises to the story with the coming issues.  Read Full Review

Come check out the journey of Bruce Banner who turned into the tyrant of Maestro from the superhero Hulk! Read Full Review

Maestro #1 sees Peter David return to his legendary run on Hulk to paint a grim vision of the Marvel Universe's future. Read Full Review

Rage goeth before a fall as we finally take a look at the problems that made ol' Jade Jaws takes a much meaner look at the world. Read Full Review

"Maestro" #1 is an accessible first issue, with solid artwork, which fails to show its potential until its final pages. Read Full Review

It all reads like a script plucked from 1992 and finally drawn in 2020. Maestro is not a story that needed to be told, but it can still be enjoyed in the proper context. Read Full Review

In reading Maestro, I just didn't come away from it feeling like his backstory was a gap that needed filling. Read Full Review

GammaBurst

Aug 19, 2020

This is gonna be one of the finest Hulk stories by PAD.

Afre

Aug 19, 2020

After reading Ewing's Immortal Hulk for 2 years, David's take on Hulk is definitely different and it felt a bit odd. But not in bad way, certainly. After getting used to it, I started to grow to this. I've always liked the idea of Maestro and David certainly writes him well (he is the creator of it after all). And the art is good. Overall, I do know where we are going but the "how we get there" is a different story and I want to see more.

allenquanobi

Aug 19, 2020

Oooo, definitely an interesting start. It's awesome to see Peter David go back to one of the characters he's written best. This story is an interesting premise, basically starting off as Old Man Hulk, but combined with some sci-fi. It definitely has me intrigued, and the art by Keown hasn't worn down at all. Looks great, reads great, good start

Liem Duong

Aug 20, 2020

Really good debut. Wow. Didn't know what to expect from this. Never read Future Imperfect or David's Hulk run, which many Hulks fan hold as one of the greatest Hulk stories at Marvel. This mini-series I am presuming will be a origin story of Maestro, or the Hulk from the Future Imperfect story-line. Despite never reading the original series, people can jump on board and catch up relatively easily. The set up David had for Hulk in this debut was really cool. Really like David use of illusions to open up the origins. David also did a good job on recapping the background for Future Imperfect as well. Just really consistent dialogue and writing from Peter David all around. Art by Keown was stellar as well. Great first issue, excited to see what David has in store. more

CrazyforRAMU

Feb 17, 2021

After dreaming of a perfect life, a smart merged-personality Hulk wakes up in a bunker under LA. He was held in protective custody by AIM as the world melted in nuclear fire. Now he has no interest in joining their rebuilding efforts; he leaps away for parts unknown. Beautiful art and some strong, subtle character work -- but this is mainly a setup issue and I found the apocalypse scenario rather generic.

Psycamorean

Aug 21, 2020

Uh, this was fine, but I felt like the pacing could've been better. Hulk doesn't go full Maestro yet, but it's still happening in record time. I hope the next few issues work better.

Lucas

Jun 25, 2023

What a stupid cause for an apocalypse

Spacey Medicine

Aug 29, 2020

I do not like future stories, or the post-apocalypse. This was fine.