Maestro has tyranny over Dystopia, and now he must extend his control to the rest of the world. However, Doctor Doom and the Pantheon stand in his way! Find out if he succeeds in Maestro: War and Pax #2 by Marvel Comics!

MAESTRO: WAR AND PAX #2 (OF 5)

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Writer: Peter David
Artist: Javier Pina
Colorist: Jesus Aburtov
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Editor: Wil Moss and Sarah Brunstad
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 27th, 2021

Previously in Maestro: Bruce Banner has dethroned Hercules and taken the title of ruler of Dystopia. He has created a new initiative, the Post-Apocalyptic Existence or Pax. The initiative requires people to bow down to Maestro or be destroyed. However, Maestro isn’t the only immortal around. Doctor Doom and the Pantheon are here to try and stop him.

OLD FRIENDS

Doctor Doom has time traveled to speak to the Pantheon about Maestro and they come up with a plan. They can’t kill Maestro, but they might be able to capture Bruce Banner. The Pantheon thus goes to meet Maestro and have a chat with him. Atalanta convinces Hulk to lead the Pantheon to A.I.M. headquarters so they can enact revenge. They leave by jet, but Maestro realizes that something is wrong and tries to turn on the group. However, the plane is emitting a gas that knocks the Hulk out while the other people have nose filters to keep them awake. They report to Doctor Doom. Phase 1 of the plan is complete.

THE VILLAINS

Maestro is engaging because he is both protagonist and villain at the same time. When a classic villain like Doctor Doom comes into play and he is mildly the good guy in this situation, you aren’t sure who to root for. It thus gives the reader a little bit of confusion because I want Hulk to win but do I really? Doctor Doom always has an ulterior motive and if he wins it can’t be good. Heck, Maestro would be a better tyrant then Viktor von Doom. The story thus feels like it is leading to a lesser of two evils theme. Which isn’t a bad concept, but I think it may leave me dissatisfied at the end. I want a happy ending and I do not think I am going to get it. I’ll be interested to see what the creative team does to address this problem if they do so at all.

BOTTOM LINE: SOLID MIDDLE ISSUE

I was hesitant with this series last issue, but I decided to pick it up again. The story is bringing me back into the fold and I think we will get a successful second arc. 3.5 out of 5 for this one, I hope that I am truly satisfied at the end of it.

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