New Future Versions of Marvel Icons Face Cosmic Extinction In ANNIHILATION 2099

Summary Marvel's 2099 universe is moving towards a cosmic era with the new five-part limited series Annihilation 2099.

New characters: Nova 2099, Starlord 2099, Red Hulk 2099, and Silver Surfer 2099 are being introduced, with the return of Dracula 2099.

Annihilation 2099 could mean the extinction of these 2099 heroes, especially if the name is any reference to 2006's Annihilation storyline, but only time will tell.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Annihilation 2099! Marvel Comics’ 2099 universe is a fan-favorite alternate reality continuity that throws readers into a cyberpunk future populated by variants of all-star superheroes and villains alike, all of whom fit that aesthetic. And now, 2099 is venturing into all-new Sci-Fi territory, away from the Blade Runner-esque streets of Nueva York and into a more cosmic era with Annihilation 2099. Unfortunately, this bold new direction for the 2099 universe may mean its ultimate downfall, as these alt-future versions of Marvel iconics could be facing cosmic extinction.

In a release from Marvel announcing the upcoming five-part limited series Annihilation 2099, readers learn that the 2099 universe will be adding to its already extensive roster with a focus on adapting cosmic Marvel heroes in the classic 2099 style. The icons making their 2099 debut in Annihilation 2099 are: Nova 2099, Starlord 2099, Red Hulk 2099, and Silver Surfer 2099. Plus, Dracula 2099 is making his return to this reality in a truly terrifying way, as he’s trying to expand his empire across the cosmos in the hopes of turning the populations of entire planets into vampires.

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Get ready to meet Nova 2099, Starlord 2099, Red Hulk 2099, and Silver Surfer 2099, and witness the return of Dracula 2099! The thrilling saga will be perfect for both newcomers to the 2099 landscape and longtime fans, and gears up readers for what’s to come for 2099 storytelling later this year.

Bringing these characters to life is a team of incredibly talented comic book creators, as Annihilation 2099 will be helmed by writer Steve Orlando, who will be working with a number of fantastic artists. Ibraim Roberson is the artist for issue #1, José Luis for #2, Pete Woods for #3, Ario Anindito for #4, and Dale Eagleshaw for #5.

“No pun intended, but Steve, Ibraim, Ario, José, Pete, and Dale have knocked this 2099 epic out of orbit!” said editor Mark Paniccia. While their words are assuring, Paniccia isn’t the only one excited about Annihilation 2099, as Steve Orlando also expresses their enthusiasm for the project in this release from Marvel.

Steve Orlando: The heroes introduced in ANNIHILATION 2099 are each heroes I could write forever - each with their own tragic beginnings in the Mighty Marvel Tradition. And behind it all? An iconic horror antihero who is taking his vengeance to the stars. Red Hulk 2099! Silver Surfer 2099! Nova 2099! Marvel’s future goes intergalactic this summer, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Beyond the New Characters, What Story Will Annihilation 2099 Tell?

The fact that a number of iconic Marvel Comics characters from Earth-616 continuity are getting the 2099 treatment is undoubtedly exciting, but beyond that, what story is this limited series going to tell? Steve Orlando teases a vengeful antihero taking to the stars, but what does that mean? And will this event mean the end of the 2099 reality as fans know it?

Based on the information given for each individual Annihilation 2099 issue, there’s no telling who Orlando could be talking about when they said ‘iconic horror antihero’. Perhaps Dracula’s mission of turning entire populations of planets into vampires will be a key plot point? Or maybe the Silver Surfer (who is seemingly merged with Ghost Rider after making a deal with Mephisto) will lean into the more ‘cosmic horror’ aspect of his character? Even Red Hulk was a shadowy serial killer upon his debut - could he be the newly-established ‘horror icon’?

While Dracula does admittedly fit the description of ‘horror icon’ the best, the truth of the matter is that fans simply have no way of knowing what this series is really about until its release, making it all the more exciting. Who is this ‘horror icon antihero’, and how will they shape Marvel’s 2099 reality? Only time will tell.

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Annihilation 2099 May Pull from the Similarly-Named Marvel Comics’ 2006 Event: Annihilation

Annihilation by Keith Giffen and Andrea Di Vito

2006’s Annihilation was a massive Marvel Comics event that nearly saw the end of the Marvel Universe. It followed the cosmic conflict that arose when Annihilus broke through interdimensional barriers from the Negative Zone into Earth-616’s reality, leading his Annihilation Wave to conquer the positive matter universe. While the release from Marvel makes no mention of Annihilus or the 2006 event as a whole, the name of the limited series is enough to make one question if an ‘Annihilus 2099’ will be making his debut along with these other 2099 characters.

While the prospect of Marvel Comics effectively retelling 2006’s Annihilation event with a 2099 lens would fit into this series’ ‘cosmic’ initiative (and could mean utter extinction), there’s no mention of it in the Marvel release, so fans shouldn’t hold their breath. Instead, fans can focus on all the exciting things about Annihilation 2099 that have been revealed ahead of its release, even if it may live up to its name a bit too literally, and mean the extinction of these new versions of Marvel Comics icons.

Annihilation 2099 #1 (of 5) by Marvel Comics is available July 3, 2024.

Annihilation 2099 #1 (2024) Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: Ibraim Roberson

Cover Artist: Nick Bradshaw

Source: Marvel