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This is Peter David’s Greatest Hulk Comics Story Arc of All Time

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Stan Lee, a renowned comics legend, showcased his exceptional skill throughout numerous comics from publishers like Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and many others. His work ranged from a defining run on Aquaman to series such as Supergirl, Young Justice, X-Factor, and more. However, his most notable achievement was his extended tenure on Marvel’s X-Men comic books, which produced one of the best “dark future” stories ever published by them.

In “Future Imperfect,” we witness the ominous danger posed by a malevolent version of the Hulk, known as Maestro, set against a backdrop of a devastated future. This portrayal serves as the epitome of the Hulk’s inherent nature, suggesting that his existence may not always be beneficial. The consequences of this storyline continued to resonate for the character throughout the years, and one of Peter David’s last tales in the 2020s re-explored the genesis of this chilling narrative, which remains among his finest works.

Future Imperfect Revealed Just How Dangerous Hulk Was

Issues: The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1-#2 by Peter David and George Pérez

Peter David’s 12-year stint on The Incredible Hulk, a Marvel classic, brought about several transformations in the character. Most notably, he returned to his original gray form, reclaimed his rough mindset, and assumed the identity of “Joe Fixit”. Following this integration of multiple personas, Dr. Bruce Banner morphed into “Professor Hulk”, retaining his intelligence while possessing the Hulk’s physique and power.

This was a two-part narrative that painted a grim picture of a future where the Hulk was indeed the strongest being. Regrettably, this portrayal of the Hulk didn’t exhibit much heroism, and there were few, if any, genuine heroes to challenge him.

In the realm of “Hulk: Future Imperfect,” the tyrant Maestro, a twisted, self-centered, pleasure-seeking, autocratic variant of The Hulk, held power. He was among the rare “superhero” survivors of an ancient nuclear war; the radiation claimed the lives of other heroes while enhancing Hulk’s strength. This transformation made him all-powerful, and he leveraged his intelligence and simmering resentment towards society and mankind to seize control over the remaining fragments of humanity.

The appropriately titled region of Dystopia managed to maintain radiation levels at a level that didn’t lethally affect its human inhabitants, all while simultaneously bolstering its new autocrat. Opposing this tyrant known as The Maestro were three rebels: Janis Jones, Pizfiz, Dakord, and Skooter. They devised a dangerous strategy to thwart the antagonist. This scheme included mending a Time Travel Platform designed by Doctor Doom of Latveria and journeying back in time to find a young Rick Jones (once an ally). By doing so, they managed to transport the Hulk from the present into the future and inform him about the events that unfolded following his encounter with the aged and senile Rick Jones.

In their initial meeting, The Hulk suffered a severe defeat at the hands of Maestro, resulting in a temporary paralysis for the green giant. To keep this secret, the Hulk feigned prolonged incapacitation while actually healing rapidly. During his confinement in Maestro’s castle, he was subjected to torment by a woman deliberately selected because she bore a striking resemblance to his late wife, Betty. The Maestro attempted to forge an alliance with his contemporary, suggesting they had both been mistreated and brought only misery throughout their lives.

Taking advantage of the situation, Hulk launched another assault against The Maestro and his troops, but tragically, Rick Jones lost his life in the process. Later, after drawing The Maestro close to the Time Platform, Hulk sent him back through time to the moment when both characters were created during an atomic explosion. This incident resulted in The Maestro’s disintegration and death, while Rick Jones was laid to rest with Captain America’s famous shield.

Why Future Imperfect Was the Perfect Hulk Story

The Storyline Was Hulk’s Equivalent to an Iconic Batman Comic Book

What made The Maestro intriguing as a character was the concept of a malevolent Hulk. This version embodied the unrestrained destruction and power that lies within the character. With no one to hold him accountable and society now under his control, he turned the tables on a world that had consistently caused him distress throughout its existence.

If anything, it provided a justification for society’s ongoing hostility and apprehension towards him that left even the Hulk astonished. It also demonstrated that the combined personality of Professor Hulk wasn’t the panacea Banner envisioned. Remarkably, written five years before its conclusion, it could have served as an epilogue, as it captured numerous ideas and themes prevalent in the writer’s other works.

Hulk: The Future Imperfect series resembled other “dystopian future” tales often found in comic books, serving as indicators of a brand’s prosperity. In fact, “Days of Future Past” debuted during Chris Claremont’s peak on The Uncanny X-Men, and it was part of a collection. Since then, it has inspired numerous subsequent stories and adaptations, cementing itself as one of the most influential X-Men narratives ever told.

In the mid to late 1980s at DC Comics, Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns breathed new life into Batman for a fresh generation of comic book enthusiasts, making him more iconic than ever before. These stories distilled their characters around a core ideology, revealing what remained in a future plagued by corruption. This theme was vividly portrayed in Future Imperfect, where the Hulk confronted the extent of his own danger. Similarly, the absence of other heroes hinted at a world where Hulk was truly “alone” and the “strongest”. Through granting the character’s deepest desires, Peter David crafted a story that vividly depicted the horror of those dreams coming true.

The Best Story and Villain of Peter David’s Hulk Run Still Influences the Character

Doc Green Is Essentially a Present-Day Maestro

Peter David’s run on Hulk, which concluded in 1998, continues to be admired by both fans and creators due to its acclaim. As a result, over two decades after the release of Hulk: Future Imperfect, the tale of The Maestro was revisited again. In one storyline, Bruce Banner sustained a headshot, prompting the use of Iron Man technology called Extremis to attempt his treatment.

In a different wording: He employed his cleverness to heal, but it was later uncovered that this was actually a hidden ambition to get rid of potential competitors. Similarly, after contemplating whether to grow a beard and experiencing prophetic dreams about the future world of The Maestro, Hulk worried he might transform into the antagonist. Consequently, when Extremis faded away, he decided to relinquish his additional intelligence rather than risk becoming his flawed dark alter ego. Notably, several aspects of the story were derived from Peter David’s work, such as alternate personalities like The Maestro.

During the 2020s decade, Peter David penned several miniseries centered around the character The Maestro, with the initial one being titled “Maestro: Symphony in a Gamma Key“. This piece offered a glimpse into the ominous future that the character would eventually dominate, unveiling that the immortal Greek god Hercules had originally been known as Maestro before meeting his demise at the hands of Hulk. In the year 2023, Marvel published “Hulk: Maestro by Peter David Omnibus“, which consolidated the original “Hulk: Future Imperfect ” storyline, the three miniseries from the 2020s, and other related comics written by Peter David. These works, as well as his recent “Joe Fixit” miniseries, solidified David’s position as a significant influence on The Hulk character, with The Maestro arguably being his most memorable villain addition to the mythos.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel disappointed that Maestro and Hulk: Future Imperfect haven’t been more widely adapted across different media platforms. This lack of exposure might be why the Hulk isn’t as iconic as he deserves to be. However, when Peter David’s Hulk run depicted the Hulk’s darkest fears manifesting in the future, it was a moment of unparalleled brilliance. The void left by its absence is like an “unfulfilled future” for the comic book world itself.

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2025-06-01 04:09

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