Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Kim Jacinto
Colorist: Jay David Ramos
Cover Artists: Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer & Arif Prianto
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of the year 2099, has taken up the fight against the Cabal’s dystopian rule. Along the way, he has allied with various other heroes and individuals who want to help him. And now in Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #5, Spider-Man must work together with the X-Men of 2099 to save their future!
Review:
Like it says on the cover, you’re getting Spider-Man 2099 teaming up with the X-Men of 2099, or at least Steve Orlando’s version of the X-Men in 2099. Like in previous issues, he gives you the lowdown on who this new team of characters, including their names, backstory, superpowers, and character dynamics. Orlando plays with some of the names and character designs to evoke familiar X-Men related characters and come up with new ones. Some hit off better than others, in this reviewer’s opinion, but readers’ mileage will vary.
The overall story is kept pretty straightforward as previous issues. The comic serves as a character introduction, this time on the X-Men and provides the simple setup of seeking a new home for mutants, or at least themselves, after being forced out of the Savage Land by the Cabal. It establishes simple motives and goals for them. The ensemble is handled fine, but not all of the characters get their time in the spotlight, and some get overshadowed by others as Orlando tries to give everyone something to do but always misses someone in the mix.
It also doesn’t help that some of the characters’ powers are not well explained or shown well enough. The art by Kim Jacinto is fine. It’s not this reviewer’s favorite but it does provide that kind of edgy and fast-paced style and tone that fits the post-apocalyptic direction this series and especially this comic is going for. You can tell characters apart by their distinct designs and statures, and Jacinto’s art is at its best when there’s action. The fight scenes are more fast-paced and have some momentum and energy to them.
SPOILERS:
The comic does have Spider-Man 2099 meet up with this version of the X-Men, but it’s not exactly the highlight you’d expect. Like in previous issues, the team-up between the heroes doesn’t really happen until the tail-end of the comic’s story. It’s understandable at first, since the comics want to show off the new versions of these characters as much as possible. But the novelty sort of wears off when their story goes on a little too long than it needs to before the team up.
Plus, when the comic finally shows the heroes teaming up, it’s very quick and they don’t actually get to do much fighting together. With the next issue being the final part, here’s hoping we get to see Spider-Man 2099 actually fighting alongside this version of the X-Men against the Cabal.
Final Thoughts:
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #5 provides the penultimate chapter of the Spider-Man 2099: Exodus storyline. You get what it says on the cover: Spider-Man 2099 meets the new X-Men of 2099. Unfortunately, the actual team up between Miguel O’Hara and this team of X-Men comes pretty late into the comic. However, you do see their general backstory, character dynamics, and powers in action against the Cabal’s forces before Spider-Man joins the party.