REVIEW: Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 #4

Symbiote Spider-Man

Symbiote and Spider-Man: those two words create excitement whenever they are paired up together, from being combined in video games for combat mechanics or being introduced into a story to add some fuel to the fire of the narrative. For the uninitiated, most forms of Spider-Man media have a symbiote or black suit arc where Spider-Man bonds with an alien parasite that boosts his already amazing powers, but it usually comes at the cost of his morals and social life by amplifying his machismo to the point he loses his subtle nerdy charm.

The last time I reviewed a story like this was three years ago in the Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #3, with a black suit Spider-Man exploring a savage land with a demonic T-Rex for company. Yes, it was just as zany as it sounds, and this issue packs the exact same punch with Writer Peter David returning to spin another yarn about an established Spider-Man bonding with super-powered alien goo.

2099

This time, The Spider-Man of the year 2099 has been bonded with a new symbiote and unleashed upon Nueva York in an action-packed romp with Peter David expertly weaving the web in the dizzying heights of the far-off future city. You’d think with all this power, Miguel, the Spider-Man of the future, would have it made, but far from it; other heroes, such as Dr Strange, see him as a menace, and his new buddy Venom is egging him into more violent unheroic actions. We open-up on Miguel piledriving a cannibalistic Vulture into the pavement from several stories up with the intent of splattering his brains all over the cement sidewalk. As the comic book progresses, we see Venom and Spider-Man engaging in more and more violent rampages, eventually bursting into the scene with both web slingers riding on a skeletal T-Rex; I’m starting to sense a Jurassic theme in Mr David’s Spider-Man books. The panel with the T-Rex is rendered in such loving detail by artist Roge Antonio and colourist Sebastian Cheng.

With Great Power

Eventually, Spider-Man breaks away from Vemon to have some time to think, but he can’t get any peace and quiet due to the new internal voice belonging to his symbiote passenger also pushing him into abusing his power. This comes to a head when Venom murders Miguel’s brother right in front of him because he’s urging him to calm down. The issue wraps up with Miguel aiming all that murderous intent straight at Venom, so the next part of this story is sure to be an exciting swing opening with a primal rumble between two symbiote-powered spider-men. The Symbiote Spider-Man series appeals to the urge to see an established hero on a darker path that expands beyond the first encounter with the Venom symbiote carrying that corrupting power into new compelling tales, acting as a dash of spice to the narrative whenever things are a little too close to the status quo.

“Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 adds just enough spice to an old setup to feel familiar and fresh at the same time.”

FINAL SCORE
4/5 STARS

Writer: Peter David
Artist: Roge Antonio
Colours: Sebastian Cheng.
Publisher: Marvel Comics