Having read comics most of my life, I’m old enough to remember a time when reading these works of art were shunned upon. In fact, one of my best friends from high school used to commiserate with me about comics all the time, but we didn’t make it known to most of our friends. Our apparent “shame” seems ridiculous in today’s climate since comics culture is now part of popular culture. This was around the time when Image Comics first emerged on the scene and the big two publishers were doing everything to compete with them. 

One of the things Marvel did in 1992 was introduce the 2099 series line. It imagined a world where many of our heroes still existed 107 years from present day. One of the more interesting characters, which incidentally was its most popular, was Miguel O’Hara AKA Spiderman 2099. In a follow-up to that iconic series, writer Steve Orlando reintroduces the character in the debut issue of Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha, where we find an embattled Miguel facing a new atrocity in America’s wastelands.

We are taken back to Nueva York , in the Lightwielding District, where a recruit for the Cabal, super powered crime cartel, who answers nobody,  were terrorizing citizens, a fact that Miguel uses  to suss out exactly where the Cabal may be hiding out. As Miguel enters their lair, he uncovers a vast network, one that he completely underestimated, as we find out the Cabal took out what was left of the Avengers, and may be the reason for what is considered an extinction level event, known as the Ontario Impact, which has world leaders and corporations pointing fingers, as Miguel might be the only one who can get to the truth. As Miguel needs help, he looks for it Nueva York’s Dead Zone and finds Ghost Rider,  who can decrypt the Cabal’s files but  finds a few firewalls in the programming’s path, one such being a digital Cave Troll. As Ghost Rider temporarily distracts the Cave Troll, Miguel is able to sneak past it, to find the files he is looking for. Before Miguel, can find anymore, Ghost Rider pulls him out, as they drawn the interest of Cabal Killcraft. By the issue’s end, Miguel and Ghost Rider finds out that a familiar foe runs the Cabal, and has become powerful in his stead.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha is an excellent return to Nueva York and the world of 2099. The story by Orlando is exciting. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a worthy reintroduction of a classic series.

Story: Steve Orlando Art: Paul Fry
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

It’s been close to 30 years since we traveled to the year 2099 in the Marvel Universe and were introduced to familiar characters with a whole new spin. At the center of it all was Miguel O’Hara, Spider-Man 2099! The character has returned to the spotlight in recent years and after having some time travel adventures, he’s back in his own time dealing with some major shakeups. Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha #1 kicks off a mini-event that spins us through the world of 2099 reintroducing characters and introducing brand new ones as well.

Written by Steve Orlando, Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha #1 takes us back to Nueva York as The Cabal terrorizes the people and Spider-Man 2099 stands in the way. From there we get a conspiracy about a “rock” being dropped in the Wastelands resulting in materials that the Cabal wants and everyone wants to get for them. It’s a race to stop the bad guys getting things they can use for evil!

Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha #1 is a fun return to the world of 2099 after some side quests for Miguel that didn’t quite fit the character. Protecting a neon-infused city against evil corporations and cabals is more his speed and the comic in some ways feels back to basics. There’s a bit that’s left out there for longtime fans that new readers might not get but overall, the comic is pretty friendly to those diving in. It’s Spider-Man in a futuristic city, exactly like it should be. The comic is a lot of what I remember after 30 years and exactly what I expected and hoped for. There’s the solid shocking language and slightly edgier Spider-Man but it’s mixed with some humor, heart, and solid action.

Paul Fry handles the art with Neeraj Menon‘s colors popping and Joe Caramagna‘s lettering adding so much personality. The comic looks amazing at times with vivid colors and solid action and angles. There’s some panels where what’s going on feels a little muddled and doesn’t quite convey clearly the details. But, this is a futuristic world that feels familiar and foreign at the same time. Like the story itself, it’s what I remember and expect. What’s great about the art is it lets Spider-Man 2099 be a look and visual language to himself. This isn’t putting the futuristic Spider-Man in familiar poses the original strikes. The visuals take a queue from that but doesn’t try to repeat it with neon.

Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha #1 is a fun read that kicks off a nice way to celebrate 30 years. The comic feels like returning to old friends and hopefully the event itself is more of the same. It’s not groundbreaking but it is a lot of pop entertainment.

Story: Steve Orlando Art: Paul Fry
Color: Neeraj Menon Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics