What do you think?
Rate this book
Maestro by Peter David #4
Maestro: War and Pax
In a broken future, the man once known as the Hulk is now neither man, nor Hulk. Call him the Maestro! After deposing Dystopia’s ancient ruler, the Maestro sets his sights even bigger. It’s time everyone left on the ravaged planet Earth recognized their one true god! But the Maestro isn’t the only would-be immortal left…and if he wants to truly dominate the globe, he’ll have to face the most powerful beings left in creation. The Pantheon sees all — including a Hulk too powerful to leave alive! Peter David continues the tale that he began decades ago in the legendary HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT!
COLLECTING: Maestro: War And Pax (2021) 1-5
COLLECTING: Maestro: War And Pax (2021) 1-5
120 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
30 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,574 books1,368 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 21, 2025
While I’m never that interested in ‘possible futures of the Marvel Universe’ type stories it is such a delight to have Peter David writing the Hulk again, even if it is a non-canon future version, that I can’t help but squeee a bit over this series.
This volume is pretty damned good, too. We get a showdown with Machine Man’s people (and I’m probably the world’s biggest Machine Man fan, so I was very excited by this), the return of the Pantheon (from PAD’s seminal first run on the Hulk), a brief clash with AIM that hinted at things to come and some diabolical dealings with the deadly Dr. Doom. We also get a couple of back-up strips as a bonus.
Oh, and the artwork is really good, too. What more could any self respecting PAD junkie want? You know, other than a PAD-penned ongoing series…
This volume is pretty damned good, too. We get a showdown with Machine Man’s people (and I’m probably the world’s biggest Machine Man fan, so I was very excited by this), the return of the Pantheon (from PAD’s seminal first run on the Hulk), a brief clash with AIM that hinted at things to come and some diabolical dealings with the deadly Dr. Doom. We also get a couple of back-up strips as a bonus.
Oh, and the artwork is really good, too. What more could any self respecting PAD junkie want? You know, other than a PAD-penned ongoing series…
August 21, 2021
Ahh yes, this was more like it. Better than the last book. In that book, Hulk resorted to cheating and was getting beat up. Here, he is not to be played with. Stronger than ever and ready to literally crush anyone in his way. Some characters were brought in that I didn’t know but discovered they are from Peter David’s long Incredible Hulk run. Looking forward to reading that to learn more about them. But yeah, really dug this book. Great art, big fights, some nice cameos and a nice twist. Plus looks like this is continuing. Bring on Maestro World War M!!
May 26, 2021
This one was pretty cool! Bruce is now maestro and he suppresses the resistance and his next targets include Machine Man and Haven people and then he goes off against the Pantheon who are a weird niche of characters and just felt like fillers but enjoyed it overall and meanwhile there is a good face off with them and then enter Dr Doom! Will Maestro survive ? And also we get the backstory of The Black Scythe or something and teases of whats coming next.
This was not that great of a sequel as one would expect things to escalate but it just felt filler. Pantheon were a great group but not that effectively utilized and the fight with doom was so anti-climactic but okay good ending. Next up Abomination! The art was alright.
This was not that great of a sequel as one would expect things to escalate but it just felt filler. Pantheon were a great group but not that effectively utilized and the fight with doom was so anti-climactic but okay good ending. Next up Abomination! The art was alright.
March 7, 2022
I like lots of David's Hulk stuff, including the original Maestro stories, but this felt like a re-reheated burrito, or a cover band of a cover band. Not terrible, but decidedly average.
October 20, 2021
Peter David's story of the post-apocalyptic Hulk continues here. The fast paced story is well written and has good flow, but fails to jump out as something amazing. Feels like the same kind of Hulk story I've read many times. Maestro takes on the Pantheon (of Gods) and Doctor Doom, setting up a fight against Abomination for next time.
Still good, and I'll continue reading, but no urgency like I get with other titles.
Recommend.
Still good, and I'll continue reading, but no urgency like I get with other titles.
Recommend.
June 5, 2022
Maestro: Guerra e Pax, é a segunda minissérie protagonizada pelo Maestro contando a ascensão deste Hulk desfigurado e amoral como governador do mundo todo. Quem orquestra toda essa transformação não poderia ser outro senão Peter David, o criador desta versão apocalíptica do Hulk, ao lado de Jesus Saíz e Gérman Peralta nos desenhos. Nesta segunda trama temos uma participação bastante especial, também criada por Peter David: a equipe de seres superpoderosos conhecida como O Panteão. Juto aos Doutor Destino, o Panteão traça um plano para eliminar o Hulk de uma vez por todas. Ou será que não é bem isso que o leitor pensa? Para mim como um entusiasta da fase de Peter David no Hulk, principalmente a fase "Professor" ao lado do Panteão, foi um deleite poder reencontrar esses personagens com quem aprendi e me diverti quando pré-adolescente. A primeira minissérie do Maestro já tinha sido bastante recompensadora e esta segunda foi também. Agora é aguardar pelo último lance de minissérie que traz o desfecho da ascensão do Maestro em sua realidade pós-apocalíptica.
December 31, 2023
3.5/5.0
A story that directly shows you just how powerful this post-apocalyptic version of the Hulk is, but doesn't quite deliver much depth as towhat this means for the bigger picture of what Bruce Banner has become - a tyrant.
A story that directly shows you just how powerful this post-apocalyptic version of the Hulk is, but doesn't quite deliver much depth as towhat this means for the bigger picture of what Bruce Banner has become - a tyrant.
June 27, 2023
El tomo empieza muy bien con la llegada del Panteón, el grupo de personajes que dio pie a la mejor etapa de Peter David con Hulk, y que aquí parece recuperar parte de sus dinámicas... hasta que el tema se agota y desemboca en el curso de lo que tenía que pasar. En cierta forma es un poco frustrante que este tebeo se componga de un revival de cosas escritas hace treinta años, guiños para los fans (los diálogos con Doc Samson, las dinámicas con Ajax), sin apenas nada más (¿Qué ha hecho el Panteón este tiempo? ¿Esperar a que Maestro se los llevara por delante?). Pero también supongo que es el motivo por el que se hacen estas historias: un pedacito con brilli brilli para los fans de los tebeos originales.
May 8, 2025
Nice mini series on this interesting character. Very recommended
September 18, 2023
Continuing Peter David’s modern Maestro trilogy that started with Symphony in a Gamma Key.
This is Hulk continuing to solidify his power. There are a couple of groups that could threaten his rule, so he needs to deal with them.
This was really good. I loved seeing who showed up and how Maestro had to take care of them. Maestro is super bad ass in this. Especially when he goes up against the big bad in this one; Doctor Doom.
This is Hulk continuing to solidify his power. There are a couple of groups that could threaten his rule, so he needs to deal with them.
This was really good. I loved seeing who showed up and how Maestro had to take care of them. Maestro is super bad ass in this. Especially when he goes up against the big bad in this one; Doctor Doom.
May 29, 2021
More Doom plz.
January 4, 2022
Maestro is kind of the "Old Man Logan" version of the Hulk, though this is a different dystopian future. He is trying to solidify his control of what's left, but has to contend with Machine Man, A.I.M. (and MODOK), some group called The Pantheon (who appear to be descendants of the gods), and Dr. Doom. The story was interesting, though not particularly compelling--had to build in drama when your main character is all powerful and immortal, to boot. The artwork was decent throughout. I may have to go back and seek out some of David's earlier work in this vein to see how everything connects. It also looks like there will be some future books to continue this story.
March 29, 2023
Mit „Maestro – Krieg und Frieden“ zog es mich wieder einmal in die alternative Welt, in welcher Maestro der Beherrscher dieser werden will. Dies wollen aber natürlich nicht alle, weswegen man Widerstand leistet. Doch wie lang ist der noch möglich?
Ich muss ja ganz ehrlich sagen, dass ich spätestens seitdem „Maestro“-Band ein großer Fan der Handlung bin. Diese zeigte ja bereits, wie mächtig Maestro war und dass Kämpfe gegen ihn, alles andere als leicht waren. Trotzdem versuchen es immer noch viele, denn sie wollen die Herrschaft des grünen Hünen nicht. Doch was tun, wenn dein Gegner gerade zu unverwundbar ist?
Um so spannender war es zu erleben, wie ehemalige Verbündete alles versuchten, um den Tyrannen zu stürzen. Jedoch musste ich mich hier etwas einlesen, denn mit dem Pantheon oder Black Scythe hatte ich bisher nichts gelesen. Nach meiner Recherche war ich auf jeden Fall um einiges schlauer und verstand auch besser, wieso man die Black Scythe mit in Maestros Story aufnahm. Auch die Wechsel zwischen den Zeiten waren nun verständlicher.
Ich vertiefte mich immer mehr in die Handlung, da es hier so viel zu erleben gab. Jedoch schockierte mich stellenweise auch Mestro´s Verhalten, denn besonders sein Umgang mit den Kindern der Rebellen hatte es echt in sich. Dies war aber zum Glück eine Ausnahme! Neben den Kämpfen, ging es vor allem viel um Strategie und Ablenkungsmanöver, denn immerhin hieß es ein fast unsterbliches Wesen niederzuringen. Hier überraschte man mich tatsächlich ein paar Mal.
Optisch kann ich mich am wenigsten beklagen, denn der klare Zeichenstil schaffte es nicht nur die Gefühle der Charaktere gut wiederzugeben, sondern auch die Kämpfe sehr wuchtig wirken zu lassen.
Fazit:
Auch wenn ich mich etwas belesen musste, war dieser Band einfach nur eine Wucht. Zwar schockte er an einigen Ecken auch, aber im Grunde zeigte er den unermüdlichen Kampf gegen einen nahezu unbesiegbaren Gegner und dessen Vorstellung von der Welt.
Ich muss ja ganz ehrlich sagen, dass ich spätestens seitdem „Maestro“-Band ein großer Fan der Handlung bin. Diese zeigte ja bereits, wie mächtig Maestro war und dass Kämpfe gegen ihn, alles andere als leicht waren. Trotzdem versuchen es immer noch viele, denn sie wollen die Herrschaft des grünen Hünen nicht. Doch was tun, wenn dein Gegner gerade zu unverwundbar ist?
Um so spannender war es zu erleben, wie ehemalige Verbündete alles versuchten, um den Tyrannen zu stürzen. Jedoch musste ich mich hier etwas einlesen, denn mit dem Pantheon oder Black Scythe hatte ich bisher nichts gelesen. Nach meiner Recherche war ich auf jeden Fall um einiges schlauer und verstand auch besser, wieso man die Black Scythe mit in Maestros Story aufnahm. Auch die Wechsel zwischen den Zeiten waren nun verständlicher.
Ich vertiefte mich immer mehr in die Handlung, da es hier so viel zu erleben gab. Jedoch schockierte mich stellenweise auch Mestro´s Verhalten, denn besonders sein Umgang mit den Kindern der Rebellen hatte es echt in sich. Dies war aber zum Glück eine Ausnahme! Neben den Kämpfen, ging es vor allem viel um Strategie und Ablenkungsmanöver, denn immerhin hieß es ein fast unsterbliches Wesen niederzuringen. Hier überraschte man mich tatsächlich ein paar Mal.
Optisch kann ich mich am wenigsten beklagen, denn der klare Zeichenstil schaffte es nicht nur die Gefühle der Charaktere gut wiederzugeben, sondern auch die Kämpfe sehr wuchtig wirken zu lassen.
Fazit:
Auch wenn ich mich etwas belesen musste, war dieser Band einfach nur eine Wucht. Zwar schockte er an einigen Ecken auch, aber im Grunde zeigte er den unermüdlichen Kampf gegen einen nahezu unbesiegbaren Gegner und dessen Vorstellung von der Welt.
September 9, 2024
Maestro: War & Pax
Marvel, Collects issues 1-5
The Maestro deems humanity needs guidance that only he can provide. There is opposition, starting with Arron Stack AKA Machine Man. They battle and this version of Machine Man detonates, allowing another version to escape with survivors. An unhappy Maestro emerges from the rubble.
My favorite Doctor, Doctor Doom visits the Pantheon, a team that once included the Hulk as a member, for tea and conversation. They conspire against Maestro.
The Pantheon visit Maestro. Jaded-Jaws seems happy to see his old team, realizing they have common goals. Till Maestro realizes his former teammates have been lying to him. The Pantheon manage to capture the Maestro and then the impossible – kill him. At least till next issue.
Doom arrives at Dystopia and announces his sovereignty.
The Maestro survives death (Shocking!), breaks free, and KRUNCHS Pantheon member Atlanta.
Ulysses fulfills the Pantheon’s deal with Maestro, launching missiles at an A.I.M. underground base and the Pantheon’s base of operations.
The Maestro returns to Dystopia to confront Doom. The Doctors greet each other, shaking hands. I did not see that coming! They have been in cahoots. The partnership does not last long as Maestro poisons Doom but Victor expected it. Doom survives only to take a pounding. Doom escapes and Maestro waits to see what happens next volume (like the rest of us).
Epilogue features the return of my favorite Hulk villain. Hint: He’s green too.
There’s a back story from years before featuring the Pantheon and a new villain/group called Black Scythe running in three issues. Seemed useless to me, except to explain the death of a Pantheon member.
Nice cover and interior art. Fun guest stars.
Best Quote from Atlanta “We have a talented naked woman with a pool of water.”
Marvel, Collects issues 1-5
The Maestro deems humanity needs guidance that only he can provide. There is opposition, starting with Arron Stack AKA Machine Man. They battle and this version of Machine Man detonates, allowing another version to escape with survivors. An unhappy Maestro emerges from the rubble.
My favorite Doctor, Doctor Doom visits the Pantheon, a team that once included the Hulk as a member, for tea and conversation. They conspire against Maestro.
The Pantheon visit Maestro. Jaded-Jaws seems happy to see his old team, realizing they have common goals. Till Maestro realizes his former teammates have been lying to him. The Pantheon manage to capture the Maestro and then the impossible – kill him. At least till next issue.
Doom arrives at Dystopia and announces his sovereignty.
The Maestro survives death (Shocking!), breaks free, and KRUNCHS Pantheon member Atlanta.
Ulysses fulfills the Pantheon’s deal with Maestro, launching missiles at an A.I.M. underground base and the Pantheon’s base of operations.
The Maestro returns to Dystopia to confront Doom. The Doctors greet each other, shaking hands. I did not see that coming! They have been in cahoots. The partnership does not last long as Maestro poisons Doom but Victor expected it. Doom survives only to take a pounding. Doom escapes and Maestro waits to see what happens next volume (like the rest of us).
Epilogue features the return of my favorite Hulk villain. Hint: He’s green too.
There’s a back story from years before featuring the Pantheon and a new villain/group called Black Scythe running in three issues. Seemed useless to me, except to explain the death of a Pantheon member.
Nice cover and interior art. Fun guest stars.
Best Quote from Atlanta “We have a talented naked woman with a pool of water.”
December 13, 2022
Maestro pax and war review.
Maestro is a fine example of "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
Maestro is one of the if not the most powerful versions of the hulk. Though he prefers to be called maestro.
This series was well-paced and well-written. Enjoyed every bit of it. Maestro was funny, smart, dark overall a chad. And dr doom's appearance was a cherry on top. The illustration was good. This was a continuation of 2020's title maestro which was a good series too.
This series has enough blood shade, hulk destruction, bruce banner's intellect, humor, and dark moments which makes the series stand out. Especially when the pantheons join.
After the post-apocalyptic nuclear war and some anarchy, only a few civilizations remain. And hulk was captured by A.I.M. and was held captured. Fast-forwarding a few years, almost 100 years... Hulk has gone crazy. He has joined the DARK SIDE. Now he wants to be the ruler of the new generation. He's the king of dystopia.
While he's trying to conquer the world he faces some familiar faces. Everybody is trying to kill him. The storyline depends on hulk's actions. The series ended with a few cliffhangers. Which will be concluded in the next mini-series.
If you ask about my favorite issue it would be the last one :3
The last one had some awesome moments.
Happy reading ;)
Maestro is a fine example of "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
Maestro is one of the if not the most powerful versions of the hulk. Though he prefers to be called maestro.
This series was well-paced and well-written. Enjoyed every bit of it. Maestro was funny, smart, dark overall a chad. And dr doom's appearance was a cherry on top. The illustration was good. This was a continuation of 2020's title maestro which was a good series too.
This series has enough blood shade, hulk destruction, bruce banner's intellect, humor, and dark moments which makes the series stand out. Especially when the pantheons join.
After the post-apocalyptic nuclear war and some anarchy, only a few civilizations remain. And hulk was captured by A.I.M. and was held captured. Fast-forwarding a few years, almost 100 years... Hulk has gone crazy. He has joined the DARK SIDE. Now he wants to be the ruler of the new generation. He's the king of dystopia.
While he's trying to conquer the world he faces some familiar faces. Everybody is trying to kill him. The storyline depends on hulk's actions. The series ended with a few cliffhangers. Which will be concluded in the next mini-series.
If you ask about my favorite issue it would be the last one :3
The last one had some awesome moments.
Happy reading ;)
July 3, 2021
Collects Maestro: War And Pax (2021) issues #1-5
At the conclusion of this book, they tease the next "Maestro" miniseries, and announce that the upcoming title will be the conclusion of the "Maestro" trilogy. I wasn't aware that we were in the middle of a trilogy, but if I was to compare Part #1 to Part #2, I'd say that I enjoyed the previous volume more. This was good, but not quite as good, however since I am a big fan of this character, I think I liked it overall more than (possibly) it deserves.
At the conclusion of this book, they tease the next "Maestro" miniseries, and announce that the upcoming title will be the conclusion of the "Maestro" trilogy. I wasn't aware that we were in the middle of a trilogy, but if I was to compare Part #1 to Part #2, I'd say that I enjoyed the previous volume more. This was good, but not quite as good, however since I am a big fan of this character, I think I liked it overall more than (possibly) it deserves.
July 18, 2021
Like the previous volume in this trilogy I read this as single digital issues.
Here’s the closest I will come to a spoiler: Why are smart people who have a history with the Hulk so stupid, or are they just suicidal?
Another better than average story in this Bruce Banner/Hulk’s journey to Future Imperfect.
Here’s the closest I will come to a spoiler: Why are smart people who have a history with the Hulk so stupid, or are they just suicidal?
Another better than average story in this Bruce Banner/Hulk’s journey to Future Imperfect.
May 10, 2022
3.5 stars
Loved the interactions with The Pantheon, the trouble is (similar to Superman) if you just keep on amping up the superpowers of a character, making them pretty much invulnerable, it becomes quite hard to invest much in the story as the outcome is foregone...Peter David still writes the best Hulk...
Loved the interactions with The Pantheon, the trouble is (similar to Superman) if you just keep on amping up the superpowers of a character, making them pretty much invulnerable, it becomes quite hard to invest much in the story as the outcome is foregone...Peter David still writes the best Hulk...
January 9, 2022
Another fun installment in the adventures of Maestro. I'm not even familiar with many of the supporting cast of this one and I still enjoyed it thoroughly. The art is my style, and the story is very much my taste. Can't ask for much more.
February 17, 2023
Well that was unexpectedly solid. Maybe I was just in the mood for it?
Or maybe the return of the pantheon and the looming presence of Doom just put this one a step above its predecessor.
Either way, this was a ton of fun.
Or maybe the return of the pantheon and the looming presence of Doom just put this one a step above its predecessor.
Either way, this was a ton of fun.
October 31, 2021
I absolutely loved this! The brutality and just cold collected anger towards whoever needs it with no moral Conundrums.
January 14, 2022
Maestro taking over Washington DC, killing humans and children! Fight with Pantheon (dont know who are those)! Fight with Doom! Not that bad.
February 12, 2022
I really dug this romp and it left me thinking I want to know what’s going to happen next in the resistance to pax.
June 20, 2022
Meh. Good for a bit of nostalgia, but no where near the quality of the original PAD run on the Hulk.
July 6, 2022
4.5
Really solid Hulk/Maestro stories from Peter David.
Really solid Hulk/Maestro stories from Peter David.
October 30, 2022
So much pain.
January 10, 2023
Another Peter David Hulk book down. I am loving this series. This volume kept expectations high for volume three.
November 23, 2023
While not generally a fan of the Maestro character I have to say I actually enjoyed this well written tale with more than decent artwork.
January 14, 2024
It was ok
Not bad. I enjoyed it but there is so much about Marvel don’t understand anymore that following these stories don’t work for me now.
Not bad. I enjoyed it but there is so much about Marvel don’t understand anymore that following these stories don’t work for me now.
February 19, 2025
Just alright.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews