Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #1 (Story 5)

Background

In Superior Spider-Man #17-19, Spider-Man 2099 ended up trapped in this timeline. Since then he has been working at Alchemax, the newly established company that will be responsible for his creation, and the misery of millions, in the future. He helped Spider-Man defeat the Spider Slayers during Goblin Nation and he's due his own series!

Story 'Homecoming, Sort Of'

A newscopter reports on a failed armoured car heist and soon discovers who was responsible for stopping the bay guys when Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O'Hara) hands on the window of the helicopter on his way to the ground! He free falls to the ground, pondering his new existence. Using his accelerated vision, he spots a mugging but when he swings in to rescue the girl being mugged she is less than appreciative! He takes out the muggers and then she gives him a slap! She didn't want saving and storms off! Spider-Man 2099 is left wondering what is wrong with people in 2014!

General Comments

Intriguing.

Peter David returns to his creation and graces with his presence on a Spider-Man title once again and with it, we get the best of both worlds: the attitude and mannerisms of Spider-Man 2099 out of place in our continuity-led Marvel Universe. This is a good thing, a very good thing.

These five pages have a couple of short action sequences, a welcome lack of exposition and a decent helping of intrigue. The internal sequence is cleverly balanced with moaning but not sadness and there are some subtle explanations of power. I kind of expected Lyla, but I'm sure she'll be around. The fact that David uses this little story to begin building up his supporting cast (the suicidal woman) for the main title is proof of planning, precision and poise. I'm half hooked already and mimic the final panels' "Hmmm..." with a sense of satisfaction and expectation.

Will Sliney has a couple of true stand out panels here (the Spidey kick to the face and the free fall) and plays nicely with page layout too. He seems to deliver band for buck and, although I can't say his pencils leap off the page with style, they have a high level of detail and capture the intricacies of Spidey 2099's costume well.

As with the other back-up stories, this one is simply an advert.... albeit one that works fairly well!

Overall Rating

The cavalier attitude is back (so is Peter David!) and I'm excited for Spider-Man 2099 #1!