Marvel Wiccan and Hulkling are two widely popular characters in the Marvel Comics universe. These characters hold significant importance, not only because of their individual journeys but also because of their relationship with each other. Wiccan, also known as Billy Kaplan, is a young superhero with magical abilities. He is a member of the Young Avengers, a group of teenage heroes who fight to protect the world. Wiccan's powers are derived from his connection to the mystical realm, and he has the ability to manipulate reality, cast spells, and even fly. Hulkling, on the other hand, whose real name is Teddy Altman, is a shape-shifting alien with incredible strength.
Taking place not long after their nuptials during 2020’s “Empyre,” Hulkling & Wiccan is a fun and heartfelt parable about compromise and confronting one’s insecurities. Writer Josh Trujillo clearly has a lot of love for the former Young Avengers and successfully grounds the characters, despite their respective cosmic and magical backgrounds. He absolutely gets these characters and successfully nails their voice and personality. The story clips along at a good pace and the dialogue sounds natural, apart from one groan-inducing line delivered by one of their guests early on. It’s also surprisingly accessible, despite its ties to the aforementioned “Empyre” storyline. If you haven’t kept up with the starcrossed lovers’ shenanigans since their Young Avengers days, you’ll get caught up pretty quickly.
This awakening is the catalyst for a reality-warping event that separates the two, creating parallel scenarios in which they are both in different relationships with no memory of one another, while an unseen enemy watches from the distance. It seems like Billy s parents got to show up in person for this one, but of all the superheroes who came nobody wore reception clothes, though, which was a bit of a bummer.
Hulkling, on the other hand, whose real name is Teddy Altman, is a shape-shifting alien with incredible strength. He is also a member of the Young Avengers and the Kree-Skrull hybrid son of the original Captain Marvel and princess Anelle. Hulkling has superhuman abilities and can transform into a monstrous, hulk-like creature when necessary.
[REVIEW] “HULKLING & WICCAN” REVIEW
Every marriage has its ups and downs, as couples deal with insecurities, unspoken fears, and even the occasional magic artifact that warps reality as we know it. Ok, maybe not that last one so much, but in the Marvel universe, magical interference is fairly commonplace in superhero marriages. The latest victims of such a plot device are young newlyweds Teddy Altman and Billy Kaplan, otherwise known as Hulkling & Wiccan.
Set in the far reaches of space, this one-shot finds our heroes enjoying a quiet dinner party with a few of the 616’s LBGTQ+ community, namely Northstar and husband Kyle, as well as Iceman. Despite it being a dinner party IN SPACE involving Iceman, things go surprisingly well, although Billy and Teddy’s disagreement about a more permanent residence awakens some deep-seeded insecurities. This awakening is the catalyst for a reality-warping event that separates the two, creating parallel scenarios in which they are both in different relationships with no memory of one another, while an unseen enemy watches from the distance. Will love conquer all, or will one of Marvel’s greatest power-couples end in tragedy?
Taking place not long after their nuptials during 2020’s “Empyre,” Hulkling & Wiccan is a fun and heartfelt parable about compromise and confronting one’s insecurities. Writer Josh Trujillo clearly has a lot of love for the former Young Avengers and successfully grounds the characters, despite their respective cosmic and magical backgrounds. He absolutely gets these characters and successfully nails their voice and personality. The story clips along at a good pace and the dialogue sounds natural, apart from one groan-inducing line delivered by one of their guests early on. It’s also surprisingly accessible, despite its ties to the aforementioned “Empyre” storyline. If you haven’t kept up with the starcrossed lovers’ shenanigans since their Young Avengers days, you’ll get caught up pretty quickly.
The art by Jodi Nishijima and colorist Matt Milla is top-notch. Nishijima’ s character designs are a perfect blend of manga and stylized realism. More than once, I found myself recognizing people I know in the features and expressions of even the more fantastic-looking characters. Their depiction of Northstar stands out as a man I can only describe as smoldering. Seriously, this guy could turn me. The fashion is also fabulous, as our characters, particularly Hulkling, don outfits that look straight out of the Hellfire Gala.
If this one-shot has any shortcomings, it’s in the conversion from digital-to-print. Originally published as a scrolling digital series on Marvel Unlimited’s Infinity Comics platform, the art often appears faded or even blurry, especially in contrast to the sharp and distinct lettering by VC’s Ariana Maher. It’s a small gripe and certainly doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book, but it’s certainly an area that could be improved as more digital pieces make their way to print.
The main idea behind Wiccan and Hulkling is their romantic relationship, which has been celebrated as a significant step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream comic books. They are one of Marvel's most prominent gay couples, and their love for each other is an essential aspect of their characters' development. Their relationship has been portrayed with depth and sensitivity, tackling important themes such as acceptance, identity, and self-discovery. Marvel has done an excellent job in showcasing their love story, which has resonated with readers all over the world. Wiccan and Hulkling's romance has also been recognized outside of the comics. They have appeared in various animated television shows and are set to debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming Disney+ series, "WandaVision." This further illustrates the growing significance and impact of these characters in popular culture. In conclusion, Marvel Wiccan and Hulkling are two remarkable characters who have captivated audiences with their powers, but more importantly, with their inspiring love story. They serve as a beacon of representation, challenging stereotypes and showcasing diverse relationships in the superhero genre. Their prominence in comics, television, and soon, movies, solidifies their place as beloved characters who have made a significant impact on Marvel Comics and the greater LGBTQ+ community..
Reviews for "The Diversity and Inclusion of Wiccan and Hulkling's Characters in Marvel Comics"
1. Mark - 2/5 stars:
I had high hopes for "Marvel Wiccan and Hulkling" as I've been a fan of the characters for a long time. However, I found the story to be lackluster and the plotline weak. The writing felt rushed and the character development was minimal. Overall, I was disappointed with this comic and I hope the next installment improves upon these aspects.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars:
This comic was a big letdown for me. The artwork was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The story lacked depth and didn't engage me at all. The plot twists were predictable, and there was no emotional connection with the characters. I wouldn't recommend "Marvel Wiccan and Hulkling" to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed Marvel comic.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars:
I really wanted to like "Marvel Wiccan and Hulkling" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, jumping from one scene to another without proper transitions or explanations. The dialogue was generic and didn't do justice to the characters' personalities. The villain's motives were unclear, making it hard to invest in the conflict. Overall, this comic failed to capture my interest or leave a lasting impression.