Summary
Marvel’s revitalization of its2099imprint continues, as the futuristic versions ofSpider-ManandWolverinecontinue to fight for the fate of the universein the upcomingConquest 2099miniseries, which will follow the currentAnnihilation 2099title.The publisher has announced thatAnnihilation’screative team will return for the follow-up, and offered an intriguing tease ofConquest’splot.
As announced by Marvel Comics, writer Steve Orlando will continue the saga of what he calls “Marvel’s iconic cyberpunk future,” in the limited seriesConquest2099. Orlando will be joined by a slate of superstar artists, including Ibraim Roberson and José Luís, as they build on the scope and the grandeur of the rebooted2099continuity.
Conquestwill team the late20th-century version of Spider-Manwith Wolverine, and will feature Dracula in a central role – continuing his prominence in the Marvel Universe in the wake oftheBlood Huntcrossover event.
Marvel first launched its2099imprintin the early 1990s withSpider-Man 2099. Initially intended to depict the future of the main Marvel continuity roughly one hundred years from the time of publication, the world of2099has subsequently been retconned as one potential future out of many among the vast Marvel Multiverse.
New Future Versions of Marvel Icons Face Cosmic Extinction In ANNIHILATION 2099
Marvel Comics announces the upcoming limited series Annihilation 2099, which will see the debut of a number of icons given the classic 2099 treatment!
Marvel Announces CONQUEST 2099, As The Heroes Of The Future Fight To Save The Universe
Conquest 2099 #1 – Written By Steve Orlando; Art by Ibraim Roberson & José Luís; Cover By Leinil Francis Yu
If nothing else, the novel collusion of Marvel’s cosmic storytelling with its vampire lore should ratchet up readers' anticipation forConquest2099.
Annihilation 2099#1 sent a shockwave through Marvel fandom, as the future incarnation of thecosmic hero Nova was revealed to be Wolverine. Subsequent issues promise to further explore the vast potential of the2099concept by introducing a fresh slate of futuristic takes on familiar characters. The stakes ofAnnihilationwill now be even higher,as it will set the stage for the next chapter of the2099story,Conquest.In a fascinating move, this cosmic Marvel epic will also continue to expand on the company’s vampire lore, which it has recently placed a greater emphasis on.
In Marvel’s press release announcingConquest, Writer Steve Orlando set the stage for the new series:
CONQUEST 2099 follows Dracula into the future as a tragic antihero, an imperfect leader with a righteous cause topped only by his bloodlust. Here’s a space blockbuster that takes us from one side of the galaxy to the other as a ragtag band of heroes from Earth and beyond leap into the fray to protect all life not just from Dracula and his vampire legion… but the something worse – the conquerors of the vampire homeworld, the Death Spiders.
As part of Marvel’sBlood Huntcrossover, Dracula was cast in a more heroic role, and it seems thatConquest 2099will continue to invest more time in him as a sympathetic, if not wholly redeemable, character. If nothing else, the novel collusion of Marvel’s cosmic storytelling with its vampire lore should ratchet up readers' anticipation forConquest2099.
Long-Lived Characters Like Wolverine And Dracula Take On New Roles in “2099”
Conquest 2099#2 – Written By Steve Orlando; Art by Ibraim Roberson & José Luís; Cover By Leinil Francis Yu
Wolverine has appeared in the2099continuity previously, but as Steve Orlando noted, recontextualizing his role was a can’t-miss opportunity to distinguish this reinvigorated era of2099from what came before.
While the foundation of the2099concept is built on introducing new versions of recognizable Marvel characters,Annihilation2099– and now its sequel,Conquest– have added an interesting dimension byutilizing long-lived characters like Wolverine and Dracula in dramatically different contexts than readers are accustomed to.Writer Steve Orlando offered insight into the series' development, andhow Wolverine was castas Marvel’s latest incarnation of Nova:
Since 2099 debuted, there was always the question of what heroes might live through from the current heroic age to the next. With ANNIHILATION, we had a great chance to dig into that question with one of Marvel’s most iconic mysterious loners. When we realized that the Nova of 2099 would be a lone stranger patrolling the cosmos, one with a heavy burden of duty and death on his shoulders, it quickly became clear that there was only one person who could fit into that helmet. Already, Logan has been routinely inspired by the Man with No Name and by Kuwabatake Sanjuro.
As the writer noted,Wolverine has long taken cuesfrom classic Western and Samurai stories – with2099, Marvel took the opportunity to offer a unique twist on that formula.
Wolverine
The human mutant Wolverine (a.k.a. Logan) was born James Howlett, blessed with a superhuman healing factor, senses, and physiology. Subjecting himself to experimentation to augment his skeleton and claws with adamantium, Logan is as deadly as he is reckless, impulsive, and short-tempered. Making him the X-Men’s wildest and deadliest member, and one of Marvel Comics' biggest stars. He’s played in Fox and Marvel’s movie franchises by Hugh Jackman.
Wolverine has appeared in the2099continuity previously, but as Steve Orlando noted, recontextualizing his role was a can’t-miss opportunity to distinguish this reinvigorated era of2099from what came before. Orlando explained:
“Here, it comes full circle with Logan as the intergalactic stranger coming to town, loyal only to the preservation of life and protecting common folk. This was a great chance to grab Logan from his previous 2099 appearances and vault him forward into a new, cosmic setting – and the issue was a privilege from start to finish!
WithAnnihilationset to introduce the future Dracula – andConquestpositioning him as a complex antagonist, even as he is depicted as a “tragic antihero” – the throughline from Marvel’s current timeline to the future of2099has become as exciting as the introduction of updated versions of classic heroes.
ANNIHILATION 2099 Is Setting The Stage For The Truly Universe-Shattering CONQUEST
Annihilation#1 – Written By Steve Orlando; Art By Dale Eaglesham & Ibraim Roberson; Color By Neeraj Menon; Color By Raúl Angulo
By the end ofAnnihilation, the pieces will be in place for a cosmic Marvel adventure unlike any ever witnessed before.
According to Marvel Editor Mark Paniccia, the publisher recognizes the opportunity it has to do something strikingly memorable with its latest iteration of the2099imprint. He describedAnnihilation 2099as:
Our chance to introduce some incredibly unique takes on classic Marvel characters, true in many ways to the core of the originals in theme and motive.
As exciting as the series will be – with its first issue already delivering the incredible surprise of Wolverine’s role as Nova, as well as delightfully immersing readers in the world of2099– it is only the beginning. By the end ofAnnihilation, the pieces will be in place fora cosmic Marvel adventureunlike any ever witnessed before.
Paniccia elaborated further, teasing the upcoming series:
With CONQUEST 2099, these new heroes must battle the unparalleled strategy and experience of the classic Marvel Dracula, a proven leader, conqueror and monarch who now has an army of alien vampires at his command! The cosmos will never be the same!
Marvel has already revealed that versions of Red Hulk, Silver Surfer, Star Lord, and the X-Men will swell the ranks of future Marvel heroesalongside Spider-Man 2099 and Nova-Wolverine inAnnihilation, Readers should be prepared for further characters to pop up over the course of the miniseries' five issues, as it seems unlikely that the introduction of “Novarine” – as some fans have already taken to calling the character – will be the only surprise in store. In any case, readers are in for a thrill ride that will care them straight intoConquest.
“2099” Takes Marvel’s Cosmic Storytelling Into Unexpected New Territory
A Wide-Open Narrative Expanse
With his2099books, Orlando is set to contribute an essential chapter to Marvel’s longstanding tradition of cosmic storytelling.
The excitement at Marvel Comics about the triumphant return of2099is evident, something that should serve to make fans even more excited about the directionAnnihilationand its follow-upConquestare headed. As ambitious asAnnihilationappears to be, writer Steve Orlando promised that the sequel will be even more so. He was quoted in Marvel’s press release as saying:
ANNIHILATION 2099 was a blast! But the only thing better than building out the cosmic side of Marvel’s iconic cyberpunk future with an incredible squad of collaborators is getting to bring them together with the heroes of Earth for a galaxy-shaking epic of passion, revenge, and action!
In other words, with his2099books, Orlando is set to contribute an essential chapter toMarvel’s longstanding tradition of cosmic storytelling.
While Miguel O’Hara, the original2099hero, has risen to mainstream prominence with his role in theSpider-Versemovies, he is now just one of an impressive roster of characters spanning the entire Marvel Universe, who are set to go on a galactic odyssey that will humble everything that the2099books have done before. Still, itshould be expected thatSpider-Man2099 will play an essential role in Conquest, alongsideWolverine, as they battle against a terrifying new threat to the cosmos.
Source:Marvel Comics
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
