It’s hard not to love Spider-Man 2099. He has a cool costume, a cool setting, and an edgier, more violent approach to being a superhero. This is such an iconic character that it’s no wonder Peter David returned to the character last year. The series comes together this week, with artist Roger Antonio presenting some of his best work to date, and the addition of a symbiote to the mix makes it all the more interesting.
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 is a lot of fun from the get-go, showing off the same vibe as the original in a few different ways. The first way is through Antonio’s perfect visuals. Venom, Spider-Man 2099, and Punisher 2099 are all great. The symbiote’s otherworldly nature in this future incarnation is well-represented by the ingenious weapons that fly out of his hands. Antonio also captures the bright and expansive city of the future very well. You can see it in the background of most of the opening scenes. In many interiors a significant portion of the problem is eliminated, but it is there if necessary.
Another effective element is the fact that Miguel O’Hara is not a two-legged straw man. He has a short temper, which shows in his interactions with those close to him. He is also very brutal in his violence. Wouldn’t it be a waste if we got a symbiote that amplifies that anger? The ongoing theme is whether Miguel can be a hero and not kill, which drives the story until the final page.
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Credit: Marvel
The variety of colorful characters that appear also helps to show how vast this world is. Instead of one hero, there are many, some ready to fight Venom and others clearly not. There are also nods to Atlantis, which help expand on how this future is more than just a city.
Is Spider-Man 2099 lacking a little in his own book? Just a little, but he sets up a lot. In the future, this creative team will make a huge contribution to setting up the series, as venom and symbiote status will be key. No matter how you look at it, this is a great first issue and will get even better if you collect it.
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 is a blast from the past, and it’s as if Peter David never stopped writing the character. It feels like a natural progression of Miguel O’Hara’s story, developing a story that advances the future of Venom and the symbiote. Spider-Man 2099 makes a shocking return and he’s better than ever.
“Symbiote Spider-Man 2099” TPB Review
symbiote spiderman 2099
Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 is a blast from the past, and it’s as if Peter David never stopped writing the character. It feels like a natural progression of Miguel O’Hara’s story, developing a story that advances the future of Venom and the symbiote. Spider-Man 2099 makes a shocking return and he’s better than ever.
Fans of 90’s Spider-Man 2099 will be delighted
Set up Miguel vs. Venom and bring closure
If you weren’t interested in the original series, you probably won’t be able to fully get into this series
