Spider-Man 2099 #20 Review

Tempest may be on the mend, but Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 doesn’t know that…and even if he did, that probably wouldn’t stop him from doing everything he can to take down The Fist.

Spider-Man 2099 #20 (Marvel Comics)

Observations

• Wow, that phone call escalated from good news to better news (?) to HOLY CRAP quite quickly.
• No offense to Miguel, but his family kind of sucks.
• Always listen to Layla. Always.
• Seriously? This guy again?
• Pro tip for Tempest: Never trust a man whose smile makes your inside squirm.
• NO! Don’t do it!
• Dropping your problems in a giant hole—works every time…
• …or not.
• That is both terribly convenient and incredibly frustrating.

The Verdict

I’m running out of ways to compliment Will Sliney’s art, so you should probably just assume by now that if his name’s on it, the book is going to look great. And even if you’re not a fan of Spider-Man 2099’s current costume (I prefer the old school one myself), he always does a great job of making the suit’s sleek design and integrated technology look beautiful.

As far as the story goes, I have to admit that I’m not a very big fan of the issue’s main villain. Even powered up like he was, he still feels like a joke—and is mostly treated as such. Unfortunately, his fight with Miguel is juxtaposed against a very serious storyline that’s hampered with an entirely predictable twist. The issue’s cliffhanger doesn’t help matters by utilizing a groan-worthy narrative trope rather than an organically built suspense.

That being said, Peter David’s dialogue (both between the characters and Miguel’s inner voice/narration) is always a treat. I hardly ever actually laugh out loud at things I read, but Spider-Man 2099 makes me chuckle every month.

I also like the conflict that David is setting up, particularly with regard to Miguel facing off against his time-displaced family tree. When you add in Tempest’s involvement (and the very big news we learn about her this issue), Spider-Man 2099 still ends up being an enjoyable book—just not as much as it usually is.