The End 2099 #1 Has Great Potential, But Too Few New Ideas (Review)

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Marvel consistently delivers compelling alternate futures in its comics. While opinions vary, the success rate of Marvel’s future storylines far surpasses those of DC. Iconic examples include “Days of Future Past,” the Wastelands, and the particularly imaginative 2099 universe. Launched in the early 1990s, the 2099 series performed well, introducing memorable takes on classic heroes like Spider-Man 2099. Marvel has periodically tried to revive this line, and The End 2099 #1 is its newest effort. While the issue is decent, it largely rehashes familiar ideas and storylines from throughout Marvel’s history.

Steve Orlando tells a fairly typical superhero story: Galactus has been transformed into Abyssus by Knull, and is now aided by Dracula. Together, they destroy a planet, creating problems that bring the heroes of the 2099 universe into the mix. Silver Surfer seeks help from Mephisto, leading to a showdown between Abyssus and Mephisto. Each villain gathers allies – Mephisto recruits champions from the 2099 timeline, while Abyssus pulls heroes from throughout the Marvel Multiverse. The story ends with a surprising new character entering the fight.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pros Cons
Entertaining and well-paced Is completely composed of old ideas without bringing anything new
The art is fantastic Abyssus is a terrible idea.

Honestly, this story doesn’t break any new ground. It feels very similar to older Marvel events like Contest of Champions, and even borrows elements from Secret War, with a character taking on a role similar to Mephisto and creating a Battleworld-like setting. While the premise is fun and logical, it’s hard to overlook the fact that it doesn’t offer anything particularly fresh. Superhero comics often revisit familiar themes, but this story doesn’t put a new spin on them, which is usually what makes them compelling. It’s not a bad story, but it’s not particularly memorable either.

Ibrahim Roberson’s Art Is the Best Part of the Book

Ibrahim Roberson is a consistently great artist who doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves. I first noticed his work on the Old Man Logan series, and I’ve been impressed ever since. While The End 2099 #1 is a pretty typical superhero event comic, Roberson’s art elevates it significantly. I wasn’t thrilled with the storyline bringing Knull and Galactus together as Abyssus, but his stunning double-page spread of the colossal monster attacking the planet Ioda is incredible and really showcases the quality of the art throughout the entire book.

Roberson’s artwork is the standout feature of this issue. While the story itself is fairly predictable, the art is truly captivating and will definitely grab readers’ attention. The action sequences are particularly well-done, and the characters are expressive and detailed. Roberson excels at drawing a wide range of characters, and that skill is evident in the scenes featuring the diverse groups of heroes. Overall, this issue is visually stunning, and the beautiful artwork almost elevates the somewhat familiar storyline, bringing the book close to something truly special.

The first issue of The End 2099 feels uninspired, as if Marvel is relying on the title’s popularity to carry the book. The story is familiar territory for the publisher, offering nothing new or groundbreaking. Even long-time 2099 fans might be disappointed, as the issue doesn’t focus much on the characters they likely want to see. While the story is simply ‘okay,’ the artwork is a definite highlight and elevates the experience. Ultimately, it’s a somewhat underwhelming story paired with strong art, but it hints at potential for exciting action sequences in future issues. That’s its saving grace.

The first issue of 2099 The End is available now! We’d love to hear your thoughts – share them in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-10 17:10