Spider-man 2099 #1

Writer: Peter David

Artist: Will Sliney

Colorist: Antonio Fabela

Miguel O’Hara is stuck in our present time after trying to save the life of his grandfather Tiberius Stone, current head of Alchemax. Now that he is stranded, Miguel is under the guise of Mike O’Mara to ensure his real identity is not remembered or recorded in anyway to hold against him in the future. For now, Miguel/Mike must make due in the year 2014 until he can find his way back to his home in the future city Nueva York before he is completely exposed.

The Ups: Since Miguel gets a lot of his superhero inspiration, especially his powers, from the modern day Peter Parker, it stands to reason that his methods and mannerisms would be similar to the Spider-man we know and love. That is exactly what writer Peter David has done in every way with this new series in his hands. David has captured lightning in a bottle with Miguel O’Hara in a way that almost makes me forget I am reading a story that is not about Peter Parker. O’Hara is a man that stands up for what is right and always puts those in need before himself no matter the consequences. In all honesty, the only thing in this comic that is different from a Peter Parker story is the story itself and that is a good thing. Miguel’s struggle to try and return to his time has not hindered his tenacity to stand up for what is right and that is what always makes a Spider-man character wonderful and Peter David couldn’t be doing a better job with that.

In addition, the collaborative artwork and colors done by Will Sliney and Antonio Fabela gives the comic and the characters a more realistic tone with a stronger take on the shadows and making them more dynamic. I have seen something similar to this done in only one other comic from DC Comics and that is the work done by Andrea Sorrentino and Marcelo Maiolo in the New 52 “Green Arrow”. Sliney and Fabela truly capture each and every accent in a character’s face to convey exactly what they are feeling.

The Downs: This was a great issue to start the series off with and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it!

Overall: Miguel’s story at its core is a story about a man just trying to find his way home from a place that he is not very familiar with and not very welcoming to him. This kind of story dynamic is different in the way that a clear goal is set but the way there is very unclear and obscure. While reading and experiencing Miguel’s inner thoughts I felt like I was right there with him, having to endure this sudden change in my life with no clear answer to anything. When a comic book is able to convey that level of emotion on a person, that is when I’m interested and I can not wait to see what else is in store for this series.

Grade 5 of 5