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In Maestro: World War M #1, the two ends of the timeline collide as Marvel’s very first hero faces off against the universe’s final villain.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Maestro: World War M #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
In Maestro: World War M #1 (by Peter David, German Peralta, Pasqual Ferry, Jesus Aburtov, Matt Hollingsworth, and VC’s Ariana Maher), the first Marvel hero ever returns to join Doctor Doom, Namor, and the Abomination in facing off against Marvel’s final villain, the Maestro. Now the two ends of the Marvel timeline come into conflict in hopes of finally stopping the violent conquest of the future Hulk.
In 1939, way back when Marvel Comics was known as Timely Comics, four characters debuted in Marvel Comics #1 (by Carl Burgos, Paul Gustavson, Bill Everett, and Al Anders): the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, the Angel, Ka-Zar, and the Masked Rider. The first of these was the flame-wielding fiery hero, but not the one who currently bears that name. Rather than Johnny Storm, the original version of the flaming hero was an android that adopted the name Jim Hammond. Now, almost a century after his debut, the original Human Torch has reappeared.
The original Human Torch was in fact not a human at all and was an android created by a scientist named Phineas Horton. The Torch had the ability to control flames and ignite his body into flames. Taking the name Jim Hammond, the robot integrated himself into the modern world as a police officer. Over time, the Human Torch became a member of one of Marvel’s very first superhero team, the Invaders, alongside Captain America and Namor, the Sub-Mariner.
The iconic creative team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby would later take Hammond’s superhero name and abilities and apply them to Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four. Years later, the original Torch would be reactivated multiple times, partnering with other heroic teams such as the Avengers.
The Maestro is a version of the Hulk from an alternate future (Earth-9200), and is often considered to be the last survivor of the Marvel Universe. Possessing the intelligence of Bruce Banner and the strength of the Hulk, the Maestro is remarkably devious and powerful. Multiple attempts have been made to defeat the villainous conqueror, but none have been successful in stopping his reign of terror. However, the combination of the first heroes of the Marvel Universe might be enough to finally end the threat of the powerful villain.
Peter David’s most recent series about the future Hulk, beginning with Maestro (2020) and continuing in Maestro: War and Pax (2021) has seen him defeat foes such as A.I.M. and Doctor Doom. Now in the third part of David’s trilogy, Maestro: World War M, the future Hulk’s enemies are gathering their forces. Resurrected by unseen means, classic Hulk villain the Abomination is met by Namor, who has allied with Doom and hopes to bring the powerful creature into their fold. The issue also reveals that the Atlantean king has been keeping the original Human Torch in stasis. At the end of the issue, Hammond is unleashed to confront the Maestro and releases all of his fury in a nova flame that devastates blocks and briefly subdues the villain.
This issue notably reunites two of the first Marvel heroes, Namor and the original Human Torch, who were both staples of the universe during its infancy. It’s remarkable that they have now joined forces with Doom, one of the universe’s most notorious villains to take on the ruthless Maestro, whose power and intellect make him the most formidable challenge any one of them has ever faced.
There’s interesting synchronicity of Marvel’s first hero facing the universe’s last villain. Perhaps the original hero is what’s needed to subdue the ultimate threat of the future. However, the Maestro is not a villain easily defeated, even when confronted by some of the world’s first heroes.
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