The fifth volume of the Marvel Heroes of the Hulk line contains, among others, the legendary story Future Imperfect by Peter David and George Pérez in a magnificent edition published by Panini Comics.
In the fifth volume with which Panini Comics collects the screenwriter’s scene Peter David leading the regular series of Emerald Giant We have reached the limit with the quality of the numbers included after an entire decade that has been a growing up continuous. This comes to us with the title of Marvel Heroes. The Incredible Hulk by Peter David 5 – The Fall of the Pantheon.
The pinnacle of the Pantheon
Since it first appeared Pantheon has gained more and more importance in the series and in Marvel Universe. This will probably reach its peak with The Trojan Warthe saga in which we already see Hulk become a leader who navigates space and fights galactic conflicts, side by side with fellow beings Silver steleand would close the saga that gives the title to this volume, The fall of the Pantheon.
Nothing could be further from the original Hulk, the one who just wanted to be left alone, than this. David, with the foray to the Pantheon, gradually transformed our protagonist into a real character Captain America green. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for more earthly plots here…
A good example of this is the marriage of Rick Jones Yes Marlo Chandler (officiated by someone whose physique is awfully reminiscent of a certain New York screenwriter), preceded by a few stag parties where David unleashed all his superhero ways. Or the sad farewell of Jim Wilsonthe old man helper of Hulk having contracted AIDS.
Imperfect future
The highlight of this volume is that little two-chapter arc titled Imperfect futureone of the most mythical stories of the Hulk and which will bring us a character who will be used again years later on several occasions, being that of Old Logan the best of them: the Master.
This villain was a future version of the Hulk who inhabited a dystopian future and was the trigger for a story that tackled the theme of cursed fate with a very fresh and attractive tone that David populated with Marvel references that delighted loyal readers .
But if that wasn’t enough, we have a killer like George Perez drawing the story. His abilities are fully exploited in this story in which we find some pages for which evidently only this author could have been responsible in those years.
Gary Frank first
Over the years David has worked with numerous artists on this series, but this is certainly the case Gary Frankwho we have already seen in the fourth volume and who here is the main graphic protagonist, who makes the most of his screenplays. Here he is, in the first half of the nineties, very far from what he would become years later when he already had a more refined style, but already gave the impression that he was a gifted artist.
The superhero component that in the past was seen so little in this series acquires greater prominence here, perhaps thanks to the presence of the British cartoonist and David’s mania for adapting his stories to the qualities of the artist who accompanies him at all times. And he thanked him not only for the best work he has seen so far with the character, but also for exploiting the comedy of David’s scripts in his drawings.
This volume is probably the best among those published so far in this collection, so there is no need for those who appreciated the previous installments to wonder too much whether or not it is worth it. If only for the presence of Future Imperfect, it is clear that we are faced with a volume that shines brightly among all the existing Hulk stories.
Him tome published by Panini Comics In hard cover it contains 792 color pages with a format of 17 x 26 cm. and includes the translation of the American edition of the issues The Incredible Hulk 407-426 at Annual 20, The Incredible Hulk vs. Poison one shot, Hulk: imperfect future 1 year 2 years Tales to amaze feat. Hulk, Wasp, Hank Pym and material Marvel Holiday Special 1994as well as a large extra section and various articles. The recommended retail price is €62 and it went on sale in September 2024.
Marvel Heroes. The Incredible Hulk by Peter David 5 – The Fall of the Pantheon
ISBN: 9788410514676
The Greenskins have never had a better time. Beloved by his wife and friends, respected by the rest of the superheroes, and steadfast in his position within the society known as The Pantheon. From above you can only fall!
This volume contains some of the most mythical adventures developed by Peter David during his stay in the series, such as “The Trojan Wars” or “The Fall of the Pantheon”, not to mention the wedding… and the farewell single! by Rick Jones, all made by David with Gary Frank. Furthermore, it includes “Hulk: Future Imperfect”, the devastating saga in which Hulk meets his dark side: The Master, drawn by the formidable George Pérez.
Authors: Gary Frank, George Pérez, Jerry Novick, Kevin Kosabic, Frank Lovece, Phil Hugh Felix, Barry Dutter, Scott Benefiel, Ron Lim, Stuart Immonen, Roger Cruz, Paul Pelletier, Liam Sharp, Darick Robertson, Peter David, Salvador Larroca and John Estes