If you are a child of the ’90s like me, you probably loved Spider-Man 2099 for the costume alone. It had an edgy and adult vibe set in a dazzling future landscape. It was so iconic I highly doubt the character will ever die, which is why Peter David returning to the character this week is such an exciting turn of events. Joining him is artist Rogê Antônio in a first issue that feels like David never left the character as he builds on what came before.
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 is a heck of a lot of fun, exhibiting the same vibe of the original in a few different ways. The first way is through visuals, which Antônio nails to perfection. Venom, Spider-Man 2099, and Punisher 2099 all look great. The otherworldliness of the Symbiote in this future incarnation is solidly done with inventive weapons popping out of his hands. Antônio also does a good job capturing the bright and vast futuristic city. You get to see it in most backgrounds in the opening scene. It does fall away for quite a bit of the issue with many interiors, but it’s there as needed.
Another element that works is the fact that Miguel O’Hara isn’t some goody-two-shoes. He’s got a temper, and it shows as he interacts with those close to him. He’s also quite brutal in his violence. It’d be a shame if he got a Symbiote that amplified that rage, wouldn’t it? On the reverse side, a man he beat to a pulp has a bit of an arc going and plenty of reason to take any newfound power and abuse it. That means there’s an interesting dichotomy of characters to play with going forward.
Sorry to…drop in!
Credit: Marvel
The various colorful characters that pop up also help in showing this universe is vast. It’s not just one hero, but many, some of which are prepared to fight Venom, and others clearly aren’t. There’s also a nod to Atlantis, which helps expand on this future being more than just a city.
Is Spider-Man 2099 a bit absent in his own book? A touch, but it also is setting up a lot. In the future, venom and the state of symbiotes will be key, and this creative team will do a lot to set up the series. By all accounts, this is an excellent first issue that’ll be even better when collected.
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 is a blast from the past, and it’s like Peter David never stopped writing the character. It feels like a natural progression of Miguel O’Hara’s story while developing a story that evolves Venom and the future of Symbiotes. Spider-Man 2099 is shocking back, and he’s better than ever.
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