Was there anything more 90s than Marvel’s 2099 run? Possibly, but it still has to be right up there. Many of the titles under 2099 faded quickly, but Spider-Man 2099 stuck around for quite a while. Host Nathaniel Wayne brings in the Irredeemable Shag to see if that was deserved.
Listen to Episode 44: Spider-Man 2099 #1-3.
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90's Comics Retrial 
Like Shag, I’ve been waiting for the two of you to collaborate on this episode for a year. Mostly, though, because I assumed at least one of you would die during the recording and the survivor would be weakened, giving me the opportunity to sweep in and take over. (Hey, Cersei, doesn’t have a monopoly on battle strategies!)
For as much as SPIDER-MAN 2099 is championed by defenders of the line, it’s one of the few that I’ve never read, not a single issue. I at least sampled X-MEN, GHOST RIDER, HULK, and DOOM 2099 versions, but never the Wallcrawler.
No, pretty much all of my familiarity with Miguel O’Hara’s world is from playing the X-Box game SPIDER-MAN: SHATTERED DIMENSIONS, which allows you to play four different versions of Spidey: classic 616, Ultimate, Noir, and 2099. You play three levels as each version, and the big bosses of Spider-Man 2099 levels are future versions of the Hobgoblin, Scorpion, and Doctor Octopus. Do those have comic book counterparts or were they created entirely for the game?
Nothing to add to the comics discussion beyond I’m glad these held up well. Good episode!
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My original tablet is all cracks and electrical tape, but it’s still my primary vehicle for podcasts. I accidentally erased my Council of Geeks off it, and it’s too busted up to allow me to search and resubscribe. As a result, I usually listen to this show on my phone at work, and forgot to comment on the previous episode.
I don’t care about Darkhawk. He had a modest amount of heat, so I bought a single issue (#6) bolstered by a Captain America and Daredevil guest appearance. I remember nothing about it except that it was probably the first time I took note of Mike Manley’s artwork and how I don’t like it. I’ve seen Darkhawk in stuff since, but I have no nostalgia and see no potential in a sad ’90s retread of Nova, who was himself just Peter Parker as Green Lantern.
I also have a strong aversion to Marvel 2099 in general. I think the only launch title I tried was Ravage 2099, and then X-Men 2099 (both previously discussed.) I also bought the first few Hulk 2099s, which was nonsense, and sampled a few other that had little to no impact on my reading habits. I did pay mind to Doom 2099, especially toward the end when Warren Ellis took it over, back when his nihilism was still fresh and in vogue.
Despite the presence of my then-favorite writer Peter David, I did not give Spider-Man 2099 a try. I was well over the Amazing Arachnid by that point, but more importantly, I am a Leonardiophobe. With a few exceptions for appropriate subjects or embellishment, I have historically liked Rick Leonardi the least of all the artists. Again, I have enjoyed some things that he’s done and could even see paying him for a commission, yet I generally want nothing to do with comics he draws, especially ones about a future version of Spider-Man with that coloring on that paper stock.
I enjoyed gathering my Aliens-themed commissions last year, and even picked up that straggler Lance Henrickson this year. I’ve given some thought to trying to do that with another beloved movie, and Rocky Horror seems like the most likely candidate. I’ve seen/met Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell in Houston, and I believe both Tim Curry and Meat Loaf have been through Texas recently. I’d definitely go for it if Susan Sarandon or Richard O’Brien ever did a con I could reach.
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The only 2099 series I’m interested in (and I liked the character when brought back recently), in part because Peter David rarely steers me wrong, and in part because it doesn’t look as XTREEEEME as others in the line. Best 2099 material I’ve ever read is Avengers 2099 during the last Secret Wars cycle. I really loved those reinventions of Cap, Herc, etc.
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I really enjoyed your back and forth on this one. I personally am a huge Spidy 2099 fan. I’ve got all the trades for the books as well as all the individual issues of the newer stuff. Miguel O’Hara is in my opinion a break from the normal jokey spider-man and I like it. I don’t care if its the 90’s. Its one of the best titles to come out of the 2099 run. Hope you enjoy my show The Gen 13 Files on podbean. Catch ya later.
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