Peter Parker is most well-known as the Amazing Spider-Man, but he's not the only webslinger to crawl walls around the Marvel Universe. Long before characters like Miles Morales or even Peter's Ultimate Universe counterpart debuted, Miguel O'Hara was perhaps the second best known Spider-Man. Better known as Spider-Man 2099, Miguel became the protector of a much different and less friendly neighborhood in a cyberpunk future.
Since the original series ended, Spider-Man 2099 has appeared in several different stories. He will soon become even more mainstream, with a major appearance scheduled in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Before the futuristic hero hits the big screen, here's a look at who he is, what he's done, and his best stories.
Who Is Miguel O'Hara, the Spider-Man of Marvel 2099?
Created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi, Miguel O'Hara (a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099) debuted in the first issue of his eponymous title. Living in the futuristic world of 2099, Miguel grew up long after the modern "Heroic Age" had come to an end. A brilliant young man, he was made head of the genetic program at the company Alchemax, a tyrannical corporation with its hands in literally every part of cyberpunk "Nueva York."
Having been inspired by the legend of the original Spider-Man Peter Parker, Miguel aimed to recreate such a hero for use by Alchemax. Unfortunately, the machinations of the vile Tyler Stone saw Miguel manipulated and blackmailed, as well as injected with an experimental drug that had been tampered with. After gaining his own version of Spider-Man's powers, Miguel embraced the identity of the new Spider-Man as he grew to inspire the downtrodden citizens of Neuva York.
In a reversal of Aunt May's initial relationship with Spider-Man, Miguel's mother adores the new hero while simultaneously resenting the person that she believed her son had become. Facing foes all his own as well as remixed versions of classic Spidey villains, Miguel was essentially the Spider-version of Terry McGinnis, a.k.a. Batman Beyond. He was easily the most popular 2099 character, and his legacy would live on far into both the past and the future.
Spider-Man 2099's Powers and Abilities
Miguel's empowerment is thanks to having his genetic code rewritten with "50% spider DNA," giving him powers similar to the original Spider-Man's. Like his original namesake, he possesses superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, durability, and endurance. He is able to lift around 10 to 15 tons, and leap great heights with ease. His poise and agility are also enhanced, allowing him to pull of incredible acrobatics maneuvers like second nature. He is able to take extensive damage, once surviving multiple broken ribs and a damaged lung. This is partially due to his amazing healing factor, which, while not on the same level as the mutant Wolverine is still quite impressive.
Unlike most versions of Peter Parker, Spider-Man 2099 can create his own organic webbing. Instead of jutting from his wrists, as is the case for Ultimate Spider-Man and the version from the Sam Raimi movies, Spider-Man 2099 shoots an adhesive web-like substance from out of the back of his hands in a way that is more similar to Venom. Another difference is that Miguel lacks Peter Parker's "spider-sense," meaning that he's not alerted to incoming danger. On the other hand, he does have enhanced senses, namely night-vision.
Whereas any part of the mainstream Spider-Man can stick to walls, only the hands and feet of Spider-Man 2099 have this quality, due to their spiky talons. Perhaps the most gruesome power of this futuristic Spidey is the presence of fangs, which can emit a paralyzing venom. Though he's not quite a living vampire, the fangs certainly give Spider-Man foe Morbius a run for his money. Spider-Man 2099's suit, originally a Day of the Dead costume, is also made from Unstable Molecules. First utilized by Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, this substance has proven to be highly resistant to damage.
Essential Spider-Man 2099 Stories
Unlike most comic book characters, who have several creative teams behind their books, Spider-Man 2099's adventures have been mostly written by the legendary Peter David. This makes most of his stories a serial evolution of a loyal Alchemax employee into the webslinging hero of the year 2099. Here's a good segue into the order of some of these tales.
Peter David's Definitive Origin for Miguel O'Hara - Spider-Man 2099 #1-44
The initial 44 issues of Spider-Man 2099 were written by Peter David, and they're easily some of the best comics in the futuristic Marvel imprint. Seeing Miguel's beginnings as the new Spider-Man, the book is not only a great introduction to him and his supporting cast, but also the world of 2099 in general. The stories are both fittingly gloomy for a cyberpunk world, while still being fun and rather sarcastic. Bolstering this was tons of futuristic slang, namely the use of the word "shock." Much of this run can be purchased through Kindle and Comixology.
Miguel O'Hara Saves the Future - 2099: Manifest Destiny
2099: Manifest Destiny from Len Kaminski and Mike McKone was meant to be an ending to the 2099 imprint, which was forced to wind down due to the financial woes Marvel faced in the '90s. At the center of this story was Spider-Man 2099, who had become the future's main hero. Having married his friend Xina, Miguel also meets a revived Steve Rogers. The man known as Captain America bequeaths Thor's hammer Mjolnir to Miguel, who is found worthy to wield the enchanted weapon. From there, a much brighter future for 2099 is set into place, with Miguel at the center.
Miguel Visits the Present Marvel Universe- Spider-Man 2099 Volume 2
Spinning off from the events of the Superior Spider-Man series, Miguel is stranded in the present day. Fighting alongside Otto Octavius' Spider-Man against villains such as The Scorpion, Spider-Man 2099 is forced to defend both the past and the future. The book was once again written by Peter David, and it explored how Miguel would operate in the present day while the modern Spider-Man was so "out of character." The run also had several revelations about the 2099 future, namely Miguel's own heritage. It can be purchased through Kindle and Comixology, as well as Amazon.
Miguel Survives Extermination Among Friends - Spider-Verse (2014-2015)
The 2014 event Spider-Verse crossed over numerous versions of Spider-Man and those closely related to him. Included in this number was Spider-Man 2099, who witnessed different versions of himself being slaughtered by the evil Morlun. Forced to flee to the mainstream 616 universe for safety, Miguel teams up with Peter Parker, Spider-Ham and many others. Using Alchemax of all sources, he investigates the weaknesses of Morlun and the Inheritors. He's also integral in repairing the giant robot that belongs to the Japanese tokusatsu version of Spider-Man.
Although Spider-Verse is more of a showcase of many different versions of the iconic webslinger, Spider-Man 2099 is certainly a big part of the story. It's also a great way to see the 2099 line live on through Miguel several years after it originally ended, and is a must-read for any Spider-Man 2099 fan.
CBR's Best Spider-Man 2099 Features
This isn't the full extent of CBR.com's coverage of Spider-Man 2099, and with the character getting more popular, said coverage is sure to continue. This is, however, a list of the best articles on Miguel O'Hara and his world, allowing readers to stay up-to-date on what the shock is going on with the future's resident webhead.
EXCLUSIVE: Marvel's Spider-Man 2099 Event Kicks Off with an Earth-Shattering Threat
Marvel Gives Loki a 2099-Themed Overhaul in New Concept Art
Marvel's Spider-Man, Ghost Rider 2099 Return in New 30th Anniversary Series
Batman Beyond Vs. Spider-Man 2099: Who Wins?
Insomniac Should Make a Spider-Man 2099 Game
Venom 2099: How the Symbiote Jumped Into Marvel's Future