It’s a good year to be a Spider-Man 2099 fan, especially since he doesn’t always get a comics series in a given year. This year, we not only get a new Mezco Toyz action figure but also a new mini-event from Steve Orlando. The first chapter drops this week in a new adventure drawn by Paul Fry that also happens to feature Ghost Rider 2099. They’re a match made in heaven, at least visually, as these characters must crack a code.
What you’ll find as soon as you crack this book open is how the creative team fundamentally understands the character. The setting is great, the look of Spider-Man 2099 is spot on, and the general vibe is cool as hell. As the preview shows, Spider-Man dives into a situation that requires a vigilante hero. Things soon get dangerous with explosions getting set off and a McGuffin is introduced.
Fry draws a great Spider-Man 2099 right down to his curled toes. The look is spot on — the tattered web cape adds good movement, and he even gets to show us a riff on the costume at one point. The futuristic, technological look of the book is great thanks to the colors by Neeraj Menon. There are some key hologram effects later on in the issue that are great and Ghost Rider’s flaming head is so bright it’s practically blinding. Oh, and there’s also a full-page splash of Ghost Rider you’ll want in poster form. It’s just that cool.
Great page.
Credit: Marvel
Speaking of, Ghost Rider also looks great in this book. He has a strong purpose in the narrative that ties into what we know of the character and moves him along. He’s not just some eye candy to draw in casual readers, but a factor in the plot. Speaking as someone who felt burned by 2019’s 2099 Alpha, it’s great to see Spider-Man 2099 written and drawn so well.
That cool techno-future vibe isn’t the only draw to the story. This issue sets up a problem only Miguel can resolve to hook readers for more. The story moves at a fast clip, with scenes never feeling slow or overly expository. At times it can feel almost too chaotic, but you’ll never feel bored. The cliffhanger should also have even casual Spider-Man fans interested in what comes next.
Letters by Joe Caramagna are great, with tons of emphasis in bold as needed. Shouts nearly burst from word balloons and sound effects are well placed.
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus is cool as hell and this is a must-buy for anyone even faintly familiar with the future version of Spider-Man. It’ll bring you a bold, bright, loud, techno-future experience with a rad Ghost Rider too. This issue in particular seems to blend a lot of cool, culturally significant sci-fi like Tron and Blade Runner.
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