The Last Annihilation: Wiccan & Hulkling #1
Recap
On separate parts of the galaxy, defending two planets, Wiccan and Hulkling face the mindless ones and Dormamu in a battle that will test them and prove once and for all if they have what it takes to lead armies.
Review
Wiccan and Hulkling, Billy and Teddy, Prince Consort, and the King of Space face a threat unlike anything they’ve met before. Well, it’s pretty on par for them. But this time, they’re on opposite sides of the galaxy.
Anthony Oliveira does an amazing job of connecting the past to the present without it feeling hollow or there for the sake of the plot in the present. The two stories exist well on their own but complement each other, similar to the titular couple. He demonstrates not only how wonderful these two characters are together but reminds us that we are no longer dealing with teenaged wannabe Avengers. Throughout the story, we see that Billy and Teddy both have their insecurities and fears. But they are capable, strong, independent people, brilliant superheroes who can face any foe, whether they’re together or apart.
Juxtaposed to the present is the past, where we see how these two met for the first time, and without spoiling anything, we learn how they got where they are today. Oliveira took the time to read the original run and figure out how to craft the story from the information Heinberg gave us, and he did not disappoint. In the Young Avengers Special, we learned the origins of Billy and Teddy individually. Still, it is incredible to see not how they gained their powers or learned to accept them, but how they came together first as friends and now how they are as husbands.
Oliveira reminds us that these are two amazing people who are ready to take on the world. And that they’re giant nerds, whether that means Quantum Leap, quantum realms, or quantum physics.
The dialogue is spectacular, and Wiccan and Hulkling’s conversations with those around them feel realistic, meaningful, with the looming reminder of what is to come. We learn more about their insecurities and why some might be just a bit insecure around them. But it works to further the story and connect Wiccan and Hulkling to other characters.
The art, however, leaves a lot to be desired; in parts looks unfinished or unpolished. People and places look blurry, and in close-up shots, they feel awkward, with neutral and awkward facial expressions. In addition, the moments that were supposed to be more emotional felt a bit hollow and rushed though it is unclear if that was just the art or the limits of a one-shot. With perhaps the monastery as the exception, the backgrounds feel tacked on, impersonal, and lacking in a distinctive identity. But this is a minor gripe in an otherwise excellent comic.
Final Thoughts
Although the art is not the best, the story and dialogue more than compensates by crafting an emotional character-driven tale that reminds us that Wiccan and Hulkling are a force to be reckoned with, whether they're fighting together, worlds apart, or right beside each other. Oliveira delivers a well-written and characterized one-shot set amid not just The Last Annihilation, but also continuing the threads that may be carried further into Trial of Magneto.
ADVANCED REVIEW: The Last Annihilation: Wiccan & Hulkling #1
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 9.5/109.5/10
- Art - 6/106/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 7/107/10