The Last Annihilation: Wiccan and Hulkling #1 Review
Writer: Anthony Oliveira
Artist: Jan Bazaloua
Colours: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: VC’s Ariana Maher
With an event like The Last Annihilation it’s a fine line making sure the different chapters advance the story while still giving the titular characters, in this case Wiccan and Hulkling, a decent amount of time. It is far too easy to lose sight of which characters the comic is supposed to be about and get lost in the bigger story arc. Or alternatively to focus on the titular characters but not really advance the overall storyline at all, leaving it feeling unnecessarily tacked on to get sales because of the larger event. Anthony Oliveira manages to balance that act perfectly, at its heart it is a story about Wiccan and Hulkling, and their love, but it’s also a key chapter in the overall event.
Even separated our two heroes are inseparable, and a series of flashbacks gives the history of their love, and how they’re stronger for it. They don’t need to be side by side to understand what the other needs. They don’t need to be physically together to be stronger. They’re strong because they’re a couple.
It’s clear that Al Ewing has big cosmic plans and has been shaping events for a while now to tell a bigger story. The Last Annhilation is just one part of his larger, action-packed plan. What is also clear is how Wiccan and Hulkling have a large part to play in this plan as well, and it’s nice to see the characters getting some one-shots like this to really develop their relationship and ensure they aren’t lost in the background amongst the massive hero ensemble.
The only downside of the overall event is how brief it is. When you look back at the original Annihilation event, the inspiration for this latest cosmic event, it spanned lots of different titles and numerous issues. If you look at the original omnibus it is a huge, weighty tome. Telling a story of this epic scale over only 7 parts leaves it feeling a little on the rushed side. The build up was fantastic. The stakes as high as anything the Guardians had ever face before. But this issue feels a little rushed in terms of the overarching story as it needs to bring things in for the end game. But that is the only critisicsm that can be thrown at the issue, and that’s through no fault of the creative team.
Jan Bazaloua does a great job with the art, capturing the characters brilliantly along with the various Guardians and S.W.O.R.D. agents which pop up through the issue. The action feels epic, the quieter flashbacks perfectly capture the tender looks between Hulkling and Wiccan as their relationship starts, and it’s expertly done. Complimenting the art is Rachelle Rosenbergs colours which are fantastic as always.
Another good chapter in The Last Annihilation, the overall storyline progresses nicely even if the resolution feels a little quick, and plenty of time is given to the titular couple and their relationship which is the key to this entire issue. The stakes feel suitably epic and never higher.
Artist: Jan Bazaloua
Colours: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: VC’s Ariana Maher
With an event like The Last Annihilation it’s a fine line making sure the different chapters advance the story while still giving the titular characters, in this case Wiccan and Hulkling, a decent amount of time. It is far too easy to lose sight of which characters the comic is supposed to be about and get lost in the bigger story arc. Or alternatively to focus on the titular characters but not really advance the overall storyline at all, leaving it feeling unnecessarily tacked on to get sales because of the larger event. Anthony Oliveira manages to balance that act perfectly, at its heart it is a story about Wiccan and Hulkling, and their love, but it’s also a key chapter in the overall event.
Even separated our two heroes are inseparable, and a series of flashbacks gives the history of their love, and how they’re stronger for it. They don’t need to be side by side to understand what the other needs. They don’t need to be physically together to be stronger. They’re strong because they’re a couple.
It’s clear that Al Ewing has big cosmic plans and has been shaping events for a while now to tell a bigger story. The Last Annhilation is just one part of his larger, action-packed plan. What is also clear is how Wiccan and Hulkling have a large part to play in this plan as well, and it’s nice to see the characters getting some one-shots like this to really develop their relationship and ensure they aren’t lost in the background amongst the massive hero ensemble.
The only downside of the overall event is how brief it is. When you look back at the original Annihilation event, the inspiration for this latest cosmic event, it spanned lots of different titles and numerous issues. If you look at the original omnibus it is a huge, weighty tome. Telling a story of this epic scale over only 7 parts leaves it feeling a little on the rushed side. The build up was fantastic. The stakes as high as anything the Guardians had ever face before. But this issue feels a little rushed in terms of the overarching story as it needs to bring things in for the end game. But that is the only critisicsm that can be thrown at the issue, and that’s through no fault of the creative team.
Jan Bazaloua does a great job with the art, capturing the characters brilliantly along with the various Guardians and S.W.O.R.D. agents which pop up through the issue. The action feels epic, the quieter flashbacks perfectly capture the tender looks between Hulkling and Wiccan as their relationship starts, and it’s expertly done. Complimenting the art is Rachelle Rosenbergs colours which are fantastic as always.
Another good chapter in The Last Annihilation, the overall storyline progresses nicely even if the resolution feels a little quick, and plenty of time is given to the titular couple and their relationship which is the key to this entire issue. The stakes feel suitably epic and never higher.
A Look Inside
