Hulk-The End Part 1

Yes, I am a geek. To honor my geeky roots I will share my thoughts on a comic book for my first real post. The next post should be more substantial.

The book in question:
Hulk-The End. Hardcover, Marvel Comics 2008.

WARNING: This is a work of fiction. I will be discussing the plot in this post. If you don't want to know the ending, do not read this post.

This is a collection of stories printed earlier. In this case the stories were originally published as Future Imperfect #1-2 and The Incredible Hulk-The End. The link between the two radically different stories is that both are possible futures for the Incredible Hulk.

I'll admit that I rarely read comic books these days. I only buy collected editions, and even that is rare. However, I have always had a fondness for the Hulk. Peter David added a depth and complexity to what is on the surface a very simplistic character. I've been hooked ever since.

Future Imperfect dates from 1992. At that time the multiple personalities of Bruce Banner's fractured psyche were merged together, resulting in him having the Hulk form at all times yet being in control of it. (I know that isn't an absolute case, but I'm writing for everyone here)

Summary of Future Imperfect #1

The story originally took place over two issues. The first introduced the players. We begin by following a group of anti-authority figures as they do...something. We're not sure exactly what they are doing at first. They live in an apparently post-apocalyptic future, inhabiting a city known as Dystopia-not exactly subtle. They soon run afoul of the local authorities, who kill one of them and capture another.

Then the Hulk steps in. He makes short work of the remaining soldiers and imparts a warning to the master of the city-the Maestro. The message that the Incredible Hulk is coming for him.

A messenger tells his lord about the Hulk's arrival. We find out that the Maestro is in fact an aged Hulk.

One of the surviving rebels is a woman named Janis. She takes the Hulk to their secret base (there's always a secret base) under the city. By this point the Hulk is demanding proof of her claims about the future. So she takes him to her leader. Not, not THAT Leader. Their leader is in fact an aged Rick Jones. For those who don't follow comics, Rick Jones was the teenager that Bruce Banner tried to save, becoming the Hulk in the process. He became a companion of many different heroes in the years following this event. He lives in a shine to the fallen heroes of Earth. This is a wonderful homage to modern superheroes and villains. The double paged spread is filled with relics that I myself enjoyed identifying. We also learn that Janis is Rick Jones' granddaughter.

Meanwhile we are given a flashback showing us how the rebels brought the Hulk to the future-with the aid of Doctor Doom's time machine. This leads to Rick Jones telling the Hulk (and us) the history of his version of the future. Mankind fell not to alien threats or the plots of supervillains, but to the old specter of nuclear annihilation. The Maestro built Dystopia, becoming absolute ruler of the few survivors. Rick tells the Hulk the Maestro’s identity as the Maestro leads an invasion of the rebels’ base. The defenses take care of his men, leaving only him.

At the end of the first issue, an elevator slowly raises the Hulk up to face his future self. They both utter the same line:

“Doctor Banner, I presume.”

Analysis:

Peter David wrote this story, with George Perez as the artist. The art is very cluttered and a bit too colorful for my tastes. It is very good, just not my favorite look for the Hulk. I never could get used to him being dressed (relatively) normally either. But that's just me.

Most of Future Imperfect #1 is set up for the fight we know is coming in the next issue. Considering that the writer had to set up a dystopian world, get the modern-day Hulk into it, and get him involved in a rebellion against his future self, I'm alright with that. When I originally read this story, I couldn't wait to see the next issue.

The story up to this point is fairly standard comic-book fare. I personally feel that the next part is far better. Hopefully I'll get to it tomorrow.