It’s hard not to love Spider-Man 2099. He’s got the cool costume, the cool setting, and an edgier and more violent approach to being a superhero. It’s such an iconic character it’s no surprise Peter David returned to the character last year. That series is getting collected this week, with artist Rogê Antônio putting out some of his best work ever, making all the more interesting with a symbiote thrown into the mix.
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 a lot of fun right out of the gate, 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? An ongoing theme is whether Miguel can be the hero and not kill, which drives the narrative until the very last page.
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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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