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Maestro by Peter David #5

Maestro: World War M

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The final chapter of Peter David’s epic prequel trilogy! A.I.M., the Pantheon and even Doctor Doom have all fallen before his might. Finally, the Maestro — the gamma-spawned tyrant once known as the incredible Hulk — can reign over his kingdom of Dystopia with a firm green fist. But there are greater threats still lurking in the arid landscape of this ruined Earth…and even the Maestro didn’t count on the Abomination rising from the dead and forming an alliance with Doctor Doom and the Sub-Mariner! Now, this dangerous triumvirate is ready for all-out war. Prepare for World War M!

COLLECTING: Maestro: World War M (2022) 1-5

128 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

11 people are currently reading
25 people want to read

About the author

Peter David

3,597 books1,368 followers
aka 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.

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5 stars
32 (20%)
4 stars
58 (36%)
3 stars
60 (37%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Subham.
3,078 reviews104 followers
August 11, 2022
This one was so good omg!

So we see the Maestro battle Namor, Human Torch (Jim), Dr Doom and Abomination here. Namor in particular has good reason to take out the Hulk because of what Banner did to his wife and son and I love their while battles and then the big stuff with Abomination and David here really shows why he maybe Hulk's#1 enemy but also redeems him sorts of and their battles and then team up in the end was so awesome, you feel for Blonsky. It was a good moment and the story leads into "Future Imperfect" so well!

An epic ending to an epic trilogy setting up the Maestro series really well and the art was freaking awesome like each fight scene is so worth it and a whose-who of villains is here which is great challenge for the Hulk.. err I mean Maestro! A definite recommend from me!
Profile Image for Little Timmy.
7,442 reviews62 followers
May 15, 2025
Very enjoyable read for this alternate future for the Marvel universe. Very recommended
Profile Image for Ross.
1,554 reviews
August 26, 2022
(a moment of silence for creator George Perez, who recently passed in 2022. He was a legend)

It took awhile, but you knew it was coming...

This is the final piece of the puzzle. The last bit of setup for 'Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect'. Such a loooooooooong way to get there, but here we are. We've watched Banner get his bearings in this bleak future. The Hulk left friends behind to take control of population that is just on the cusp of eradication.

Hulk Maestro has blown up A.I.M. bases, thrown Hercules around some, wrecked the Pantheon, and smacked Doom around so much that he needs a wheelchair. Now, we find he at odds with a graying Namor, a recently revived Abomination, and a certain hero with flame powers.

Maestro still needs the people to get in line and accept his rule....or else.


Bonus: Seriously? Toro??
Bonus Bonus: Watching two of your main anti-heroes drinking themselves into oblivion? Ugh.
1,178 reviews7 followers
November 17, 2023
The last and weakest installment of Peter David's prequels to The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect, pitting the Maestro against an unlikely super-powered alliance. Unfortunately, this lacks the character explorations of the previous two volumes, and largely just alternates fight scenes with scenes of the allied characters being dysfunctional (and somewhat off-character as well). Still, there's enough here to keep it entertaining, and David certainly sets up the original Future Imperfect well enough. It's just a bit of a letdown after the first two parts. (B)
Profile Image for Adam Fisher.
3,623 reviews23 followers
February 15, 2023
With this we end a prequel trilogy that led up to a Hulk story that came out in the early 90's called "Future Imperfect". I've not read that story, but I'm assuming it's very close to the 3 Volumes I've read here of Maestro. Perhaps I will go back and read it someday...
Picking up where the last one left off, Maestro has defeated Doom, but Doom gets aid from Namor and Abomination, as well as the original Human Torch. As the Maestro kills off their families and causes mass chaos and destruction, the story winds down to its inevitable conclusion where Maestro wins.
Overall, this one was ok. I imagine it would be better for fans of the original story, but I enjoyed this easy read.
Recommend... as long as you have read the two previous, AND you like the Hulk.
Profile Image for Alan.
2,050 reviews16 followers
July 25, 2022
Look, I'll admit to pretty much still enjoying David's writing. Does revisiting (in digital floppies) this story line really make sense?

Probably not, but I can pick on almost any major media company right now for lack of new ideas. At least David appears free of editorial interference in giving the reader examples of what Doom, etc. are like in this world.

And, the Abomination's characterization was close to that used in the unfortunately lesser know mini-series.
Profile Image for Brian Rosenberger.
Author 104 books47 followers
February 28, 2024
Maestro: World War M
Collects issues 1-5

Emil Blonsky, The Abomination, is freed from an A.I.M base where he was kept in stasis for years. He’s attacked by soldiers when Namor appears, telling them this is a mistake. You are not the gamma-spawned nightmare we are looking for. Just a case of mistaken identity. The Abomination leaves with Namor.

There’s a spy in the Maestro’s home – Namor’s former Invader teammate, Toro.

The Maestro arrives at an A.I.M. base and is confronted by Jim Hammond, The Torch, the one-time partner of Toro. Hammond goes Nova. Believing the Maestro dead, Hammond leaves. The Maestro follows.

Namor offers the Maestro an alliance. The Maestro declines. In the melee, Namor’s wife and son are killed. The Avenging Son has even more to avenge. The Abomination and Hammond join Namor in battle only to disappear. The trio reappear in Latveria and you know what that means.

Blonsky and Namor lay a beating on Doom’s wine cellar. “To villainy.”

The Abomination goes solo, attacking the Maestro. Namor appears with an ally, Giganto. Abomination and Maestro form an alliance. Go figure?

The Dream Green Team arrive in Latveria, becoming Doom’s prisoners. Not for long.

I’m a fan of Future Imperfect where Maestro first appeared and always enjoyed his scattered appearances over the years since the debut. The Abomination has always been one of my favorite Hulk villains.

This mini-series serves as a redemption story of sorts for the Abomination and chronicles the events leading to Future Imperfect. Lots of guest stars. Great covers and nice interior art.

Fun read over all.
323 reviews
September 2, 2024
Maestro: World War M. Libro de Peter David.

Maestro world war M #1-5, calificación 3.5 /5 estrellas.

Esta es la tercera mini-serie precuelas de Future Imperfect.

Tiene un buen arte. Los cómics en los últimos quince años cuentan con menos textos,  diálogos qué en el pasado saturaban el arte y era puro egocentrismo de parte de los escritores como lo hacían y se hicieron recordados por eso como lo fueron Chris Claremont, Kurt Busiek, Frank Miller etc.

Esto de menos texto es mejor tienes más tiempo para hacer otras cosas y así pasar menos tiempo en esto para no desperdiciar de más tu vida leyéndolo, la historia empezó bien pero fue perdiendo fuerza y se sintió apresurado.

Los personajes eran villanos casi todos, mi personaje favorito fue Abomination dice que tuvo una vida desperdiciada porque dejo escapar las posibilidades de tener una vida como el quería y busco morir. Namor tenía alucinaciones causadas por la culpa de su ego,. Maestro el villano de la historia una sabandija oportunista. Un Doctor Doom más tonto de lo esperado, The Human Torch (Jim Hammond) fue desperdiciado como personaje y usado como un arma como el final de Future Imperfect.

Nunca me agrado Rick Jones siempre fue un inútil, provocó el accidente de Bruce Banner con la bomba Gamma, completan el elenco Toro el Ministro este es otro villano, Janis y Dakord.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Guilherme Smee.
Author 28 books195 followers
January 19, 2023
Esta edição é a última parte de uma trilogia desenvolvida por Peter David que conta como o Hulk Bruce Banner acabou se tornando o Maestro, um governador tirano de um futuro distópico. Essa história vai desembocar no enredo clássico do Hulk, Futuro Imperfeito, criada por David e por George Pérez. Assim que, a primeira minissérie da trilogia foi ótima, muito divertida, como só David sabe fazer. A segunda minissérie, já não foi assim tão encantadora, mas foi legalinha sim. Contudo, ao chegar nessa terceira e última parte da trilogia Maestro, o encantamento foi por água abaixo e parece que temos aqui um Peter David reagindo no automático, sem nem as piadianhas que comumente acompanham seus roteiros. É praticamente só pancadaria e o pau quebrando, com intermináveis e cansativas lutinhas entre super-heróis, pouco diálogo e desenvilvimento dos personagens. A impressão que dá é que tudo foi programado pra ser uma "bilogia" e que com o sucesso, empurraram com a barriga mais uma terceira minissérie. Uma pena mesmo.
Profile Image for Eric.
1,523 reviews6 followers
February 6, 2024
This whole prequel trilogy was fine and Peter David does a better job than he needs to do and he even incorporates the changes/additions to the Hulk's story that have happened since he original wrote Future Imperfect. The big question is why this series needed to exist (it didn't) and why it needs to be fifteen issues long (it doesn't). Considering Future Imperfect was two issues, it's not like the world was fleshed out enough to go back to. But again, David doesn't phone it in so it's an entertaining, but unnecessary read.
Profile Image for Matt.
2,613 reviews27 followers
April 19, 2024
Collects Maestro: World War M (2022) issues #1-5

I really enjoyed "Future Imperfect," and the first two prequel miniseries that were recently written by Peter David. This prequel miniseries brings us up to "Future Imperfect," and while I still enjoyed it, there was something that felt less epic about this installment. To me, it was worth reading, but I could see this being a pass for others.

Final rating = 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Derek.
526 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2022
It's always a gift whenever Peter David writes any Hulk-related characters and this is no exception. Things are brought full circle to the beginning of Future Imperfect. It's wonderful that Marvel gave David (along with Germán Peralta and the rest of the art team) the opportunity to tell these early stories of the Maestro and fill in some gaps in Marvel continuity.
Profile Image for Sohrab Rezvan.
Author 10 books13 followers
January 2, 2023
I'd give it a 4.5 / 5 if I could, but I rounded up. This book tied together the previous stories with the original storyline. I won't give any spoilers, but I loved the ending and the little connections throughout to close out the previous stories and look towards the future / original story.
Profile Image for Paxton Holley.
2,191 reviews10 followers
September 18, 2023
And this brings us up to Future Imperfect. Or, essentially, it leads to the events that lead to Future Imperfect.

This was a ton of fun. Maestro vs Namor vs Doom. Who’s going to rule dystopia? You already know, but the journey to find out is really fun.
Profile Image for Derek Moreland.
Author 6 books9 followers
March 21, 2023
I don’t think I ever read something that could be more properly described as “a romp.”
38 reviews
February 19, 2025
I was overall disappointed with the Maestro prequel trilogy but this one is probably the best.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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