Invitation to a dance.
Peter David ends the Spider-Man 2099 title’s involvement in
Spider-Verse with a pleasant story focusing on Lady Spider aka May Reilly’s
world.
But some material driven by plot needs leads to some
head-scratching moments.
SPOILERS FOLLOW………
Spider-Man 2099 and Lady Spider return to the previously ‘safe
zone’ which now resembles a pile of bodies in the midst of a destroyed land.
Thinking it’s all over, they come across the ruins of Leopardon (Spider-Man Toei’s
giant robot from Amazing Spider-Man #13).
Deciding that it may be their only change to salvage
something, May decides to ask the Harold aka Harry Osborn of her world for one
of Oscorp’s labs in exchange for a dinner date.
Norman Osborn though learns of this, and attacks the lab
with his compatriots – the Six Men of Sinestry. But they prove no match for
Miguel and are all soon dispersed.
Using the technology of the Sinestry, they repair the
enormous robot. Harold is flummoxed by all this, and rushes to his father to
tell him of what has transpired.
But his forceful entry apparently reveals that the Green
Goblin is his father, for which Harold is killed. It ends on a bittersweet note
as May wonder where Harold will take her for dinner once this is all over.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man 2099, Lady Spider and Leopardon rush
to the radioactive wasteland of Earth 3145 for the last stand of the Spiders.
This was a pretty straightforward story, with a lot of focus
on Lady Spider’s world. Infact, it felt like some big events were being developed
for further attention towards that universe.
I wouldn’t mind a miniseries based around Lady Spider. Being
technologically driven in a world of aristocracy where woman are treated as
nothing more than window dressing (Goblin’s team introduces themselves as
suitors instead of villains), May Reilly promising excellent story material.
I don’t exactly get why they suddenly decided to repair the
robot though. Atleast if Peter or someone told them it was needed, but based on
no evidence, their actions seems more plot-driven than actually natural story
progression.
SPOILERS END……………
This was more a Lady Spider book than Spider-Man 2099, but
it afforded some great peeks into her world – a world where I would like to go
back to later.
Peter David goes light on characterization and feels at the
mercy of the Spider-Verse plot gods sometimes, but manages to give us some good
material in between.
Sliney’s artwork is okay and perfectly serviceable for the
plot, but not exactly memorable on it’s own.
So, I give it 7.5 out of 10.
+A great look into May Reilly’s technocrat world
+Some great camaraderie between the lead duo
-Actions feel tuned to plot needs rather than natural
storytelling
-Artwork isn’t all that memorable
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