Maestro #1

Writer: Peter David Artist: Dale Keown Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: August 19, 2020 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 17 User Reviews: 21
8.0Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

THE STORY YOU'VE WAITED DECADES FOR: THE ORIGIN OF MAESTRO!
Almost 30 years after the landmark story Future Imperfect, legendary INCREDIBLE HULK scribe Peter David returns to the far-future version of the Hulk known as Maestro - the master of what remains of the world. With astounding art from HULK veteran Dale Keown and up-and-comer Germán Peralta, Maestro will answer questions that have haunted Hulk fans for years - and inspire some new ones. How did the world fall and the Maestro rise? What happened to the world's heroes in between? And where is the Hulk we know and love? Find out here!
Rated T+

  • 9.5
    Comic Watch - Matt Meyer Aug 18, 2020

    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

  • 9.5
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Aug 19, 2020

    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

  • 9.3
    Weird Science Marvel Comics - Dispatchdcu Aug 18, 2020

    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

  • 8.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Corey Patterson Aug 20, 2020

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

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Aug 18, 2020

    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

  • 8.5
    Graphic Policy - Brett Aug 19, 2020

    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

  • 8.0
    Black Nerd Problems - Chris Aiken Aug 21, 2020

    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

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Christopher Rondeau Aug 21, 2020

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

  • 8.0
    But Why Tho? - CJ Jan 1, 1970

    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

  • 8.0
    Bleeding Cool - Theo Dwyer Aug 28, 2020

    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

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Oscar Maltby Aug 19, 2020

    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

  • 8.0
    Beyond The Panel - Jideobi Odunze Aug 19, 2020

    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

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Charles Martin Aug 19, 2020

    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

  • 7.5
    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu Aug 22, 2020

    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

  • 6.8
    Multiversity Comics - Luke Cornelius Aug 24, 2020

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

  • 6.0
    Geek'd Out - Nico Sprezzatura Aug 19, 2020

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

  • 6.0
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Aug 19, 2020

    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

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