At this point, writer Steve Orlando is the preeminent 2099 expert at Marvel Comics. He’s written Spider-Man 2099 numerous times in the last few years, and today, he kicks off Annihilation 2099 #1 with artist Ibraim Roberson. It’s the start of exploring the cosmic side of 2099, and with that corner of 2099 mostly untapped, it’s primed for exploration, reveals, and twists.
Annihilation 2099 #1 is mostly a Western focusing on the last Nova in the universe. The issue opens with this last Nova kneeling in the rubble with strange aliens and other Novas dead all around him. The story cuts back and forth between how this Nova became the last one standing and in the present, where he brings a little justice to a town being bullied by symbiote gangsters. His true identity is a mystery until the very end, but given how Orlando writes his dialogue and captions, you might be able to guess.
If you enjoy Westerns, you’ll enjoy this story. It has the lone justice-seeking gunman, the bad guys who bully the townsfolk, and an origin for this gunman that is tragic. It also suits the character, given his identity. The only downside to this story is it does feel a little simple and one-note. The backstory paired with the adventure itself doesn’t necessarily sustain your interest since you can see where it’s going if you know Western tropes.
An unlettered page.
Credit: Marvel
Art by Roberson is great, and he clearly is only getting better with every issue. The highly detailed art suits the superhero genre we’re in, and he makes you feel for this downtrodden Nova. Props should go to Pete Woods, who designed this version of Nova as it suits the character and blends the look of Nova Corps and this character’s past.
Closing out the issue is a backup featuring a supernatural character getting pried out of a coffin in deep space. I have to say, the concept here is super fun and original. The very idea of this classic monster getting a space adventure is super fun. Throw in the fact that the alien crew who gets him out all have distinct designs that place them on familiar worlds or just look original, and it’s an extra bonus. Dale Eaglesham draws this to perfection, and Cory Petit’s lettering makes the reveal of the monster all the cooler.
Annihilation 2099 #1 comes out swinging with a character origin, Western vibes, and an excellent backup. If there’s any indication with this issue, the 2099 universe is as exciting as ever and prime to dazzle fans of Marvel cosmic.
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