Spider-Man 2099 #10 Spoilers/Discussion

[Venom2099]

It's likely that the current series will put Miguel back into the future at the end, while also wrapping up the present day story lines as well as it can (which is being done by Peter David, so it'll be pretty satisfying). Then the Secret Wars mini will redefine the 2099 universe and we'll either get a Spidey 2099 book back or just one called 2099. And then we'll have the whole timeline as the cast.

I agree! Either way....its the most 2099 in around 20 years! Im looking forward to it!

[Mister Mets]

Came across a good appreciation of the issue in the Chasing Amazing blog.

You know what many of the Spider-books have been collectively missing for nearly a year now? A compelling villain that leaves the reader breathless as he or she speculates how the hero (whether it be Spider-Man or someone else) can possibly overcome the odds and succeed. Which is just a shame considering how Spider-Man’s rogue’s gallery is just jam-packed with memorable bad guys.

Fortunately, we have Peter David, Will Sliney and Spider-Man 2099 to save us from this seemingly endless assembly line of uninspired villains in our Spider-Man comics. Granted, David is mining one of his own creations from the 90s, Maestro, from Hulk: Future Imperfect to drive the drama in what looks to be the final arc of Spider-Man 2099 before the series either ends or goes on Secret Wars-hiatus this summer. But if David reaching back and incorporating his own creations from yesteryear is how we’re going to get a memorable superhero vs. supervillain showdown in a Spider-Man comic book this year, I’ll take it.

Even without the assistance of having read Hulk: Future Imperfect, the complexity and brilliance of Maestro’s evil is captured so wonderfully by David and Sliney throughout this issue. It’s patently clear that this is not a character that can be dispatched via some snarky dialogue and a few well-time punches and kicks. Maestro has plans for his plans, and is playing chess while his adversaries are all playing checkers. His cunning and intelligence lends credibility to the fact that this character was able to conquer so many heroes and villains of the “Heroic Age” – so much so that he has an entire trophy room dedicated to things like Iron Man’s armor and the Hood’s cloak of invisibility.

But Maestro’s intellect and masterminding abilities do not come at the expense of Miguel. By that I mean, whereas sometimes a creator will pump up a villain by diminishing the attributes of the titular hero, David here honors all of his characters and their distinguishing qualities. Miguel is still being depicted as a savvy who is not afraid to get his hands dirty if the ends justify the means. But the Maestro is just that much more diabolical, that Spider-Man is easily overmatch and outwitted by him. It’s not a discredit to Miguel, he just can’t compete, which makes the comic that much more harrowing.