Spider-Man 2099, Vol. 3: Smack to the Future

Spider-Man 2099 (2014) (Collected Editions)

by Peter David (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist), Frank D'Armata (Colourist)

With a job at Parker Industries, a stable relationship and uncertain of what impact his actions will have on the future, Miguel O'Hara has decided that it's time to hang up the webs and retire from being Spider-Man. But when a dangerous new threat appears and puts his new life in jeopardy, he's got no choice but to don some new threads and tackle the problem the only way he knows how: head on! By the web-slinging wonders Peter David and Will Sliney (you know 'em, you love 'em) this is one EXPLOSIVE Spider-Title you won't want to miss.

Collecting: Spider-Man 2099 #1-5, and material from Amazing Spider-Man #1

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Spider Man, Comic Book, Superheroes, Fantasy

120 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2016

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard that Spidey 2099 wasn't returning post-Secret Wars, so I was absolutely delighted when this showed up on Marvel Unlimited.

When this volume starts, Miguel has decided to stop being Spider-Man, despite the new costume Peter Parker has designed for him. For reasons I won't go into here, as they'd be pretty major spoilers, his decision doesn't stick and Miggy's soon using his new threads to fight crime once more.

I really like the new costume, although there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old one. I suppose artists want to leave their mark on a character.

Peter David is doing a great job on this book and, I have to say, it's easily my favourite of all the Spider-titles Marvel is currently publishing. Long may it run...

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

With so many Spider-people roaming the New York area, Miguel O'Hara has decided to stop being Spider-Man. After a new thread emerges that endangers the lives of Miguel and those he cares about, he choosing to hunt the responsible parties down as Spider-Man.


Spider-Man 2099 is a time traveler who can't figure out how to get home. Marvel must have gotten a discount on that storyline as that's the same issue the All-New X-Men have. Anyway Miguel doesn't feel the need to continue being Spider-Man until he's out for revenge. Things get complicated from there. I'm not a huge fan of time travel trouble and that's the crux of Miguel's issues in this volume. Miguel is likable in his own fashion though.

I don't like the new suit. The color scheme to be specific. White, pink, and black just doesn't look that good. The old suit was better, but perhaps Marvel wanted it be differ more from Miles Morales' suit.

Smack to the Future was a solid story, but I could happily go a long time without any more time travel tales.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter David changes the direction of the series in this volume. Miguel is darker and less snarky. Spider-Man 2099 had one of the best costume designs of the last 20 years and now they've changed it to some kind of Iron Man / Spider-man armor. Spider-man should never have bootjets for Pete's sake. And he seems to have traded in his webs for grenades. A disappointing turn. If someone handed this to me without Peter David's name on it, I never would have guessed he was still writing the book.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is a better start than the last, and we get to see Miguel O'Hara in a new, sleek suit as he takes on the villain Doctor Chronos. While I liked seeing Miguel pissed and dealing with his villains his own way, it just lacks the fun the original series had. Everything feels too safe, and I'm not a big fan of him and Peter interacting. Overall, this is a decent fun volume with good action, but a storyline that could have been better.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, this comic was a tiny bit confusing. I know it is post-Secret Wars, but the appearance of a female Captain America through me for a loop. All is explained by the end of the Volume.... she's Cap 2099.
That being said... Miguel first decides that he wants to quit being Spider-Man. With Peter, Miles, Jessica, Gwen, Silk... there are enough "Spiders" to handle any threats that come up. Here is where we get the funniest scene: Miguel running a "Ninja Warrior" course. He beats it in 29 seconds, even doing a flip on the warped wall. LOL
He quickly gets drawn back into events (as we knew he would) and even gets a new suit. Ends with new enemies on the horizon: The Fist, a shadowy group of terrorists who want to destroy the US.
I enjoyed the first 2 Volumes (pre-Secret Wars) and am happy that it continues on. Hopefully, the book will provide some insight into how Classic 2099 will relate to current events.
Recommend.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Spider-Man. Another evil organization bent on destruction. I liked this book better when Miguel gave up on being Spider-Man and just hung his girlfriend and competed on American Ninja. That part was different and fun. The rest of it was a big old whatever.

[Jaye Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My issue is I love Spider-man 2099 because he's kind of a broody asshole but he does his best BUT his story is mainly about goddamn time travel problems. 😭 Like I get it- that's literally why his character exists but I hate time travel and it's just not interesting to me.

I love Miguel's energy in this omg he gives up being spidey for a bit but something bad happens and now he's dressing for revenge. 💅 I loved the old costume but this new one is pretty cool too (but I hate he has jet boots like chill, spider-man doesn't need that iron man shit).

I truly do not understand what was going on with the Captain America in here?? But cool???

Despite not caring for the plot I was entertained enough with the plot tbh. But again... I really like this spider-man. And he is hot good-bye.

[Brent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miguel (Spider-Man 2099) gets a new costume and goes back and forth between 2099 and the Dan Slott era of Amazing Spider-Man. I like it: I like writer Peter David and this artist Will Sliney. Ylur mileage may vary.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid start to a new chapter in Miguel O’Hara’s story, and a good jumping on point for new readers. Good art, good story, good execution. Looking forward to seeing if the ongoing story can lift to something more special. Time will tell!

[jayjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

him deciding to quit to make sure he still recognizes himself was a good call, BUT

tempest dying when she was just announcing to miguel she's pregnant is really sad which led him to go kinda crazy? and get revenge for the both of them.

captain america and spiderman fighting alongside each other is so cool!!!

i support aisa's mission though like yes!! can i join??

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oops. I hadn't meant to read a post–Secret Wars book without reading Secret Wars. These things happen, I guess.

In any event, this feels pretty weird. A lot of the stuff built up in previous issues seems to be sort of dropped. Spider-Man changes costumes for unclear reasons.

There's a seemingly gratuitous "fridging." Well, not gratuitous as in pointless . . . . . More like the same reason most "fridgings" happen.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmmm, we have a post Secret Wars bump with some unanswered questions like what is that Captain America doing here!

Some cliches but it's a super hero adventure that is engaging enough to say written by a professional writer.

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Might just be the worst Spider-Man comic I've ever read, I thought since this won't be plagued with tie ins, the narrative would be a a lot stronger.

Boy was I wrong, there so many things in this that rubbed me the wrong way. Since secret wars even happened between this volume and the last their is a time skip, Miguel is now dating the girl with pink hair. There was no hint to a romantic relationship in the last 2 volumes, he cured her of cancer and saw her naked, so how they got together is a mystery unto itself. It doesn't matter as a van comes crashing through a building, ending the relationship. It's eluded to that she's dead but instead her mum just pretends she is dead, Miguel believes her but there is no funeral. Which kind of gives away the fact she's alive, he's too angry to think.

So He's on the hunt for revenge, he fights two terminators in this volume, one big and one small. He's constantly getting his ass kicked, his new suit is made in the modern day and is created by Peter but is somehow more high tech than a suit built in 2099. That makes no sense, so your telling me 85 years in the future there will be no technological advancements. He's also got his own time machine that he managed to build, however in the last 2 volumes it was confirmed that he couldn't do that.

His interactions with Peter is probably the worst part of this, Peter tells him how to be Spider-Man. But He is Spider-Man in 2099, he's not new to this gig, he's been doing it for years. Pete doesn't even do this to Miles, he just lets him do his own thing but no not with Miguel he has to explain in detail how to be Spider-Man and his duties. Did I mention he works for Pete now? He does so much for keeping an eye on his grand father in order to save the timeline, you got a crazy girl who talks to herself and walks through the time machine, which was not password protected.

It's completely illogical makes no sense in the preestablish narrative, the writing is all over the place. One moment he's all bloodlusted then he's cracking jokes and holding hands with other people. There is a girl who can turn hulk for some reason, I hate this, I can't even be arsed to proof read what I've wrote. Screw this volume, if I had it physically I'd burn it!

[Alex E · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book finally gives Miguel a tragedy of his own. It seems to be a rule that all "spider-people" need a tragedy in their lives to befall them, and this volume introduces the tragedy that will drive Miguel.

As far as the story goes, its very straight forward, with a 2099 Captain American playing the supporting role. And while this may sound like an interesting premise, besides teaming up for a fight, there really isn't much that is explored as far as their relationship. At least not yet.

I think a big problem with the story is that Miguel is not very likable and goes out of his way to be a jerk. Its hard when your lead is pretty much THE negative influence on the story, even when there are "supervillains" around.

Also the art to me, leaves a lot to be desired. It seems that the penciller lets the colorist fill in whatever he has left out. It makes the book seem incomplete or at the very least, drawn by someone who has not reached the level of professional comics.

I cant really recommend this unless you're a die-hard fan of spidey 2099, then you may find something worthwhile.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Już od jakiegoś nie miałem tak dużej przyjemności z czytania komiksów o jakimś pajęczaku w ramach Marvel NOW! czy przerabianego właśnie All New All Different Marvel, aż tu nagle nadleciał trzeci tom przygód Miguela O'Hary, który opuścił 2099 rok i po Secret Wars z 2015 roku bytuje w głównym świcie Marvela.

Jest bardziej brutalny, ale sam to zauważa i dlatego... przestaje być pajęczakiem. Ma dobrze płatną pracę w firmie Parkera i fajną dziewczynę, ale oczywiście nie jest pisana im sielanka. Dochodzi do pewnego zamachu, po którym O'Harę będzie napędzała tylko chęć zemsty. Tu ponownie wejdzie dosyć wyświechtany motyw tajemniczej firmy/organizacji, która knuje coś niedobrego, ale sporo tu dobrych, satysfakcjonujących momentów.

Jest dużo lepiej niż w dwóch poprzednich tomach i obserwowanie perypetii innego Pająkowatego okazało się nad wyraz angażujące. Zwłaszcza, że wraz z niezłą fabuła i jej gmatwaniem wprowadza się tu całkiem niezły zamęt. Z odrobiną dozą emocji, które tylko służą całości. Dla mnie zaskoczenie na in plus.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little confused when picking up this volume, since apparently Secret Wars happened in between volumes, and a whole lot of things changed. I don't know what happened to Miguel during the Secret Wars, and given how little I enjoyed anything even remotely related to Secret Wars, I don't really care to. Between what I read in this book and a little bit of googling, I was able to figure out what was going on reasonably well, but a little blurb at the beginning of the book would have helped with that. It was an interesting take on the character, and had him moving in different directions than he normally has due to some emotional trauma. Personally, I'm kind of bummed that they changed his suit, because I rather liked that old one, and wish it were back, or that the new one were a bit closer to that design. Still, despite that, this was enjoyable, and has me interested to read further.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Miguel for who he is (snarky and prickly), but I'm very protective of Peter, so can you be a little bit nicer, Miguel?

This volume was rough at some parts. Miguel is going through a lot of changes (from page 1: wanting to give up being Spider-Man & leaving Alchemax for PI!), and it came off a bit bumpy reading.

I have to say, it isn't all Miguel's fault though. We're only three short volumes into this title and already the main love interest was attacked. Rough stuff.
Also, Tempest's mom is a B****!

I liked the fight with Doctor Cronos & thought it was very cool, though I'm sad Miguel has a new (less cool) costume. :(
I liked his black Day of the Dead suit with the web wings...

I found the whole Roberta/Captain America 2099 plot device a little odd, but OK. I guess she'll be a regular going forward?

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

July 2023. Collected comics of Spider-Man 2099 (2014 series) Vol 2-4. Miguel O’Hara is stuck in 2014 and when he finds a way home sees the future has been changed, so he stays in 2014 to try to guide the past.

This was a real mixed bag for me. The second volume in particular, in which they mixed time travel and the multiverse, was a confusing mess and lacked direction. Volumes 3-4 were better but got 3 stars on goodreads for me. There are so many characters with lost memories and things like that it’s frustrating.

At times I’m invested and things are moving forward, while at other times it’s just a bag of cameos from the rest of the Marvel universe.
I like Miguel O’Hara’s dry internal monologue and him as a character.
I might get the other volumes form the library eventually, but I’m not in a rush to see what happens next.

Borrowed from the library in physical form, they also had them digitally with Hoopla.
Collected comics of Spider-Man 2099 (2014 series) Vol 2-4.

[Scott Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like it. I still feel a bit lost, but the Peter David quality is all over this volume--solid characterization, humor to the extent proper for the character, but not so much the book feels like a joke, and a solid plot that is both sensible, and derives its impetus from the protagonist's actions and their consequences rather than random events happening to the hero.

Miguel does spend about one issue thinking about quitting being Spider-Man but he ends up quickly and intensely back on the job when Tempest--his new girl friend-- is with him at the scene of a terrorist attack.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't too crazy about the first volume but I am a Peter David fan. He usually writes a pretty good long game so I'll give this book a chance to develop. Maybe I need to read the original series also. I'm not too familiar with the title character. The artwork here is serviceable but nothing to write home about. Migsy has a new costume this time and I'm not sure I get the design. Can't for the life of me see the spider in it and so much white seems a poor choice for a character that likes to sneak about in the dark.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a little difficult to appreciate Miguel O'Hara since his return to the past as he was always a rather abrasive character and initially a reluctant superhero to boot. But I suppose you could argue that such traits are rather essential to what makes Spider-Man as a character. This continuing series still has him obsessed with fixing his future and decides to throw in a few wrenches into the mix by resetting him to a less happy state in order to push him back into donning the suit, albeit a new one.

We need more Lyla in our lives.

[Michael E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Nostalgia

Like many people my age, I was into comics during the early to mid 90s, one of Marvel's better stunts was to imagine what their comics would be like in a hundred years, which birthed the 2099 titles. I do not remember much but I loved the Spider-Man of 2099, all of the bad ass of regular Spidey, none of the usual angst! PAD returns to writer his creation as he is stuck in the "modern" world which creates new problems and challenges. The comic is a joy to read.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miggy's in a bind as he's giving up his Spidey role at the same time as he's trying to right the future, his past. Peter David's 2099 world is always fun and it is here but the antagonists were lackluster. I'd like to see more from Stone and Alchemax's early days. There some interesting developments here with Tempest and a surprise from the past (future). Will Sliney's art was really good especially the fight scenes. Overall, a decent book but I was hoping for more with the relaunch.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. I'm getting tired of all these other Marvel characters just getting jam packed into here. Yes, I've read Marvel and Spider-man before and I started back when the Ultimates began. It was nice having a reboot and focusing on just Spider-man and his life and villains. My brain hurts with all the villains and all the Marvel characters (future and present) just popping up for a few chapters. It doesn't leave much room for character development for Miguel.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's by Peter David, so it's readable and entertaining. After Secret Wars, Miguel is still in the present, is working at Parker Industries, and is going by his real name. The Captain America from Secret Wars 2099 is also in the present, and Venture, from the original Spider-Man 2099 also cones to the present. There are some fights. The book stops with the whole thing open-ended.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably one of Peter David’s weakest stories. I am positive he could have come up with a better motivation for Miguel than sticking his girlfriend in a fridge and killing her, oh and don’t forget the unborn baby! I thought we left this trope behind, but I guess not.

[The Fizza · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

[Tim Lapetino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was intriguing but somewhat of a letdown when compared to the first two collections of this Spider-Man 2099 title.

[Yosef · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important point of this volume was the focus, the story had on Miguel's personal life and feelings. It was different than a story full of fights and action.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate the white costume. Sliney's art is lifeless. PAD has nothing to say with this character anymore. None of the spark or charm of the original 2099 run.