The Marvel Universe didn’t want a dark post-apocalyptic future and a harsh warning for our beloved heroes. From “Days of Future Past” to “Earth-X” to “Age of Ultron,” the House of Ideas has created a world of dizzyingly terrifying outcomes that are possible, but not guaranteed. We have presented a cautionary tale about this. Heck, the recent Krakoa era has given us not one but two such future hellscapes in a row. One of the nice things about these stories is that most can be read on their own. A “what if” story for one, perfect for a leisurely afternoon read.
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Some of these stories are more highly regarded than others, and some are considered outright classics. 1992’s Future Imperfect is one such nightmare. Released during the monumental 12-year run of The Incredible Hulk by screenwriter Peter David, Future Imperfect builds on the existing psychological drama established in the main series and follows the ongoing It is well integrated into the monthly continuity. Thankfully, it does so without relying too much on its continuity, most of which had been shuffled into the vaguely remembered continuity closet over the course of 32 years.
The Hulk is a difficult character to maintain in continuity, as each creative team reverts Bruce Banner and the monster to whatever state they find most appealing. The struggle between the two halves of the Hulk requires constant rethinking to create a lasting conflict. The Hulk, perhaps more than any other Marvel character, has been rendered unrecognizable frequently since his earliest incarnations. The current gruesome monster of the week feud between Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nick Klein is probably nothing close to the handsome, stoic groomsman at Rick Jones’ wedding.
There were several other (though unlikely) notable guests at the wedding.
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That wedding, and all of the contextual continuity collected in the Incredible Hulk epic collection Future Imperfect, has been forgotten, regardless of the groundbreaking nature of its creation. Smart Hulk is allied with a secret organization called the Pantheon that opposes the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and other heroic status quos. One of the members of the Pantheon is kidnapped into space, forcing them to team up with both the Silver Surfer and the Starjammers. There’s tons of drama, mainly with the supporting cast leading up to Rick and Marlo Chandler’s marriage.
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Almost every issue here is near perfect in its composition. Any of these issues could be presented as a guidebook on how to make a good superhero comic from the early ’90s, with pencil artist Gary Frank producing tight, beautiful linework that rivals the work of cartoonist Gary Frank. Provided on a page-by-page basis. Giants like Ron Lim and Alan Davis.
But thankfully, it’s that unanchored nature of Future Imperfect that stands as its lasting legacy here. Illustrated by George Perez (fresh off the heels of the universe-defining Infinity Gauntlet), the book depicts a radioactive wasteland, a dystopia with the improbable name “Dystopia.” It offers a group of wild young freedom fighters, and a truly terrifying tyrant, the Hulk, the Maestro, driven mad by loss and radiation poisoning.
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The Future Is Imperfect isn’t entirely timeless. The writing has a distinctly ’90s feel with linguistic musings (future characters all speak in vaguely futuristic slang; people “scan” rather than look; people have It has names such as Pizzfizz and Scooter). . There are some “ugh” moments of implied sexual assault (which causes the trauma that forces Hulk to submit in the main series).
But despite all these outdated and troubling aspects, this story offers everything to make the “what if” scenario stand out. It depicts a viable society, gives its villains truly horrific crimes, and fits itself into the fabric of the extant Marvel Universe in a meaningful way. In an unforgettable two-page splash, Perez wordlessly answers questions about what happened to the beloved heroes of our time.
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This volume of the Epic Collection offers series-specific services. In other words, it provides forgotten context that readers who only want to read “Future Imperfect” would surely skip over, and encourages a more collaborative reading of incredibly old material. After reading this volume, the reader will want to explore further and explore the background of this context. All of Marvel’s forward-looking, post-apocalyptic classics have a significant historical underpinning.
“The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: The Future Is Incomplete” provides context for the classic work
The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: An Imperfect Future
This monumentally beloved event was in the midst of a landmark run and remains one of our most enduring legacies.
Perfect work by each member of the creative team.
Excellent quality per issue.
I’m curious about Hulk’s psychology.
Contains one of Marvel’s most memorable apocalypses.
Outside of the event itself, Hulk’s daily life is largely forgettable.
