Spider-Man 2099 (vol 3), #1 and #2 from Marvel Comics -
Miguel O'Hara is the Spider-Man of the future...Well, he was. His future has been destroyed. Somewhere between the present and 2099, something has gone wrong, resulting in the distortion of his timeline, a distortion that could possibly lead to the destruction of his reality. Trapped in the present, Miguel feverishly works to find and stop the genesis of his timeline's distortion. In the meanwhile, he's living the life of a jet-setter in present day New York - he's in love with the beautiful Tempest Monroe, and he's the head of Research and Development for the New York office of Parker Industries. Life is good, and he's left his life as Spider-Man in his future-past. Unfortunately, trouble always finds a those of the spider-line...When a horrible death shocks Miguel's world, he dons his suit once more. But he's not out for justice, he's out for blood.
Peter David pens this tale of a once and future Spider-Man, trapped in the past, trapped by his future. There are a few interesting first appearances in issues #1 and #2 which might prove to add some fun and intrigue to the current MU. Even Captain America 2099 (Roberta Mendez) is there, suffering from a split personality that hides Miguel's identity from her, as well as her own alter-ego. There's a lot of character development in the first issue with a nice gut-punch at the end, and issue #2 is a bit more tense as Miguel gears for a vengeance-driven manhunt. Will Sliney's art is clean and competent, if a bit stiff - in all honesty, it's a bit of a disappointment compared with Francesco Mattina's dazzling covers.
What happened to the days when artists rocked the covers AND the interiors?
Anyway, while these books were mildly enjoyable at times, Miguel suffers from what I call the "Iron Man Complex" - it's Marvel's desire to make every character with half a brain resemble Iron Man in some way, shape or form. Whether it's ostentatiousness, or an armored suit, or total self-absorption, I see Tony Stark everywhere in the MU, redefining the superhero as the wise-cracking, self-centered, cavalier-science/tech-head-type. Miguel is no different, which made me not only dislike him, but distrust him. He treats Peter, his assistants, his A.I., anyone in his life who is just trying to look out for him (except for his girlfriend), like total crap and pawns to help him get what he wants. I wasn't the least bit surprised when Miguel started talking about murdering criminals...Just like Tony Stark, he has all the makings of an excellent bad guy, driven by a desire to "make the world safe."
I don't mean to be negative, but I have been a fan of Miguel O'Hara since he first made his debut in the pages of Spider-Man 2099 #1 in 1992, and this guy is not Miguel O'Hara. I don't dig this Spidey at all. This is a surprisingly disappointing showing from Peter David.
Rating: 6 out of 10 - Spider-Man 2099 vol 3 swings right off of my pull list.
-TEX
I too (as you well know) am a huge fan of the original 2099 series. Possibly my favorite series ever. To this day i have never been more p^$%#d off with a series ending then that one. I was so upset.
ReplyDeleteI could talk all day about that series...I got a couple of the last series (vol.2) that came out, It sunk.
So disappointed that this series is no different...Peter David Please go back to the old formula & simple artwork, I can still see vulture attacking Miguel Lol, & those surprising variant Venom covers (still after a couple).
You hit the nail on the head with describing the original series Tex! A comic that is close to my heart, I would buy the Omnibus for it. Excellent review Tex
Thanks, Gil.
DeleteEvery generation has its hero. Once it was the cowboy. Later, the soldier, the private-eye, the reporter, the test pilot/pilot, etc. All these are reflected in comics. This generation's hero is the tech-genius/scientist/hacker. I'm cool with that - I have always favored those who use brains over brawn: Sherlock Holmes, Dan Dare, Batman (Bronze Age), Doc Savage, The Blue Marvel, The Doctor, etc.; however, this continuous barrage of self-absorbed, ostentatious "heroes" may be a reflection of the "flash" of our age, the need for applause and self-gratification in everything we do. Or maybe I'm just becoming a curmudgeon.