Miguel O’Hara comes face to face with the newest incarnation of The Man-Thing, but this time he might not want to save the day.  Your Major Spoilers review of Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #5, awaits!

MIGUEL O’HARA: SPIDER-MAN 2099 #5

Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Colorist: Raul Angulo
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Mikey J. Basso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 31st, 2024

Previously in Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099: In the city of Nueva York, mega-corporations are nothing new, but only one, Pixel, has their grip on everyone’s data, and they have no intention of losing that hold, even if that means resorting to murder.

IT BURNS

Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #5 starts off with Spider-Man and the newly formed Man-Thing locked in battle with the monster having the upper hand.  Things then go back four weeks, with the head of the corporation Pixel asking for updates on a “hiccup”.  He’s informed by his assistant that Dr. Kadmon Grey had been eliminated and tossed into the waters beneath Oasis X.  He then explains that the doctor had been working on biotech that would wipe out everyone’s data as soon as it’s injected into them,  which would ruin Pixel.  Back in the present, he discovers that Dr. Kadmon Grey had been transformed into The Man-Thing and is rampaging his way through Nueva York on his way to Pixel’s stockpile of data and sends The Specialist after him.  Spider-Man attempts to stop Man-Thing, thinking that he’s attacking people.  The Specialist shows up and temporarily dispatches Man-Thing, before having all his data burnt away by him when he reforms.  Spider-Man then notices that people are rooting for Man-Thing, saying they want the freedom he might provide.  Spider-Man then makes a choice about whether or not to let Man-Thing complete his goal.

CLUMSY INTRODUCTION TO A GREAT CHARACTER

In the 2099 Universe, the various re-interpretations of classic characters have always been hit or miss.  In this issue though, it’s a big hit.  The creators here really captured the essence of Man-Thing and found a way to make it fit a futuristic world in a way that didn’t feel shoehorned or completely removed from the original.  Also, without having much dialog of his own, he was able to be utilized in such a way that still brought a compelling conundrum to Spider-Man, based solely on what he represents rather than the things he says.  It’s just a shame that the way his story is told is in a clumsy way.  They frame his story as the CEO of Pixel telling it to his assistant, which makes the whole thing come off as weird and unnatural in that he goes on and on sharing details that are beneficial to the reader, and wouldn’t be necessary for the conversation he’s having.  Also, while The Specialist does have an important part in this story, once that’s done, he sort of just disappears even though his stated goals haven’t really been met.  This isn’t all that consequential to the story, but it is a weird loose thread that doesn’t feel intentional.

Techno-Man-Thing Works

There isn’t much in terms of re-design here for Man-Thing.  It basically looks like they took the old version of the character and threw on a filter that added a bunch of circuitry and random computer stuff onto him.  What’s nice though is that it fits.  Other than this, the art is fine and there really isn’t anything to complain about.

BOTTOM LINE:  A DECENT MIDDLE OF THE ROAD COMIC

Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #5 has a really clunky narrative device that sticks out like a sore thumb, but if you can get past that, this is a decent story.  The Man-Thing is the main focus here, as he should be, and they handle his origin well and manage to introduce a compelling new character into the 2099 world.  3 out of 5 stars.

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