Shrouded in mystery when initially announced, “Hunger” remains unsure of itself in this debut issue. One part “Age of Ultron” aftermath, one part prelude to the next big Ultimate universe story (and possibly the end of said universe), “Hunger” is about as continuity driven as comics come. Nevertheless, Fialkov and Kirk deliver a first issue that is instantly enjoyable for both the novice and the veteran.
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Illustrated by Leonard Kirk• The fallout from AGE OF ULTRON rips open a dangerous rift in the universe!
• Prepare for a hunger so strong, that no universe is safe.
• Is this the beginning of the end?
• All the details will be revealed when Age of Ultron #10 hits stands everywhere!
Despite the two influences mentioned earlier, “Hunger” #1 feels, more than anything else, like a spiritual successor Keith Giffen’s well regarded “Annihilation.” “Hunger” shares that story’s cosmic setting, warring space civilizations, and young hero blessed with power from the stars. Oh, and some giant guy in a purple space suit shows up as well.
Just as he has done for the main “Ultimates” title, Joshua Hale Fialkov kicks off “Hunger” with the kind of game changing twists he is quickly becoming known for. Also present is his penchant for humorous and witty dialogue, belying the grave events surrounding our characters.
Fialkov casts Rick Jones, protector of the Universe, as the POV character. In the same vein of early Peter Parker or the new Nova, Jones is snarky and irreverent of his great power/responsibility, making for great interplay with the stuffy, omniscient Watcher. One scene in particular, in which the Watcher commandeers Jone’s vocal cords for his own, as all the ingredients of a great, reluctant “buddy cop” dynamic.
“Hunger” #1 is a lot of fun, representing much of what comics have to offer, but it’s not without flaws. The issue suffers from a few pacing issues. The reader is quickly dragged from situation to situation, with little sense of direction. The “why” of many of the issue’s events is left up in the air entirely. Likewise, the book wows with its climactic reveal, only to leave the reader abruptly hanging. Rather than coming off as a tantalizing yet satisfying cliffhanger, the issue instead feels unfinished.
Artist Leonard Kirk may not be a big name in the industry, but hopefully “Hunger” #1 will change that. Kirk turns in some fantastic pages, particularly the book’s three gorgeous double page spreads. When utilizing so much the issue’s 20 page real estate as splash pages, one would expect a story that feels unsatisfyingly light. Thankfully, that isn’t the case. Kirk captures the massive scale of the story, dazzling the reader with the enormity of the escalating series of events unfolding. I’ll take that final page in poster form, please and thank you.
Despite the lack of the word “Ultimate” in its title, “Hunger” marks a momentous occasion for the line, the second ever crossover between the Ultimate universe and the main Marvel Universe. What this means for future stories, and the fate of the line in general, remains to be seen, but “Hunger” #1 definitely adds a sense of urgency and perceived “importance” the line has lacked. We’ve still got three issues left, but the upcoming “Cataclysm” certainly looks a lot more intriguing.
P.S. Major props to Fialkov and Kirk for redeeming “Gah Lak Tus.”
Final Verdict: 8.2 – Buy. A big, fun, cosmic romp.
