Spider-Man 2099 already appeared in the post-credits of 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and is getting a much bigger role in 2023's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
But who is Spider-Man 2099? Is he Peter Parker in 2099? If not, what makes him different from the original web-slinger? And is he a good guy? We bring you answers and more through this guide.
What Is Spider-Man 2099's Origins?
Before he became a superpowered guy, Spider-Man 2099 was just Miguel O'Hara. He is a genetics expert of Irish and Mexican descent who lives in New York City in the year 2099.
As the director of genetics at his old school, the Alchemax School for Gifted Youngsters, he attempts to recreate the powers of the original Spider-Man.
However, he was tricked into taking an addictive drug called Rapture, which bonds to him genetically. To get rid of his addiction, he tries to rewrite his DNA.
Unfortunately, his plan goes awry and he ends up having fifty percent spider DNA. With arachnid genetic makeup comes great arachnid powers, so as a result, he gains abilities similar to that of the wall-crawler.
He proceeds to hide his real identity by wearing a mask and a suit he once used during a Day of the Dead festival.
Is Spider-Man 2099 A Superhero?
Yes, Spider-Man 2099 is a superhero, most definitely. But like Peter Parker’s, his superhero start wasn’t as noble as those of other Marvel characters.
As a top geneticist, he only wanted at first to “cure” himself from his addiction and altered DNA.
Initially reluctant to be heroic, he would soon fully embrace his good guy role after seeing his presence celebrated by the oppressed.
How Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man (Present-Day Version)
Back in 1995, Marvel published the one-issue Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man comic book.
Its plot involves the two wall-crawlers switching places with each other. Peter Parker is transported to the year 2099 wherein he has to deal with all sorts of futuristic threats, including the 2099 version of the Vulture.
Meanwhile, Miguel O’Hara finds himself waking up beside Mary Jane Watson. Apart from navigating a literal “old” world, he encounters a favorite Spidey villain, Venom (the Eddie Brock version).
It was eventually revealed that the switch was caused by an Alchemax lab experiment. Parker and O’Hara would go on to meet face-to-face and then team up.
But alas, they are sent to the year 2211 wherein they have to battle a time-hopping lady version of Hobgoblin. Luckily, they get some help from the villainess’ dad, Spider-Man (the Max Borne version). Yes, the story really is that bonkers.
Still, they were able to save the day while finding a way to get back to their respective timelines.
Miguel’s time-traveling adventures will not stop there, unfortunately. He would later get stranded in the present, thanks to Tyler Stone.
After discovering that Tyler’s dad, Tiberius, has just started Alchemax in the present day, Spider-Man 2099 decides to stay in the past to monitor the corporation’s activities.
What Are Spider-Man 2099's Powers?
Like the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man we all know and love, Spider-Man 2099 has similar spider-abilities.
For instance, he possesses super-strength, enhanced speed, and extreme agility. Even without training, he exhibits acrobatic skills thanks to spider-instincts gained through his altered DNA structure.
His souped-up genetic makeup also means he can withstand physical injuries that would seriously wound, injure, or kill normal people.
Unlike the original webhead, however, Spider-Man 2099 does not have a spider-sense. But he does have a heightened sense of vision and hearing.
As for other unique powers and abilities, we'll get to those in the following sections.
Does Spider-Man 2099 Have Fangs?
Yes, Spider-Man 2099 has fangs. Due to the fact that his DNA is half-human and half-spider, his canine teeth are longer and sharper.
Interestingly, he is unable to retract his fangs. So naturally, he had to adjust his way of talking to hide his “vampire” teeth, so to speak.
Furthermore, Spider-Man 2099 is venomous. If he bites an opponent, he can release venom into that person’s bloodstream.
The specific nature and composition of his venom are yet to be revealed, but it is shown to have a paralyzing effect, albeit temporarily, on anyone he bites.
Is Spider-Man 2099 Blind?
No, Spider-Man 2099 is not blind. Far from it, actually. As we have mentioned earlier, he gained enhanced vision after altering his genetic makeup.
His accelerated vision is so powerful that he can perceive objects and surroundings even in total darkness.
Moreover, he can lock his sight on anything in motion, even if it is moving at high speeds. What regular people can perceive as a blur, he can see as clearly as we see stationary objects.
He also has the ability to spot and identify targets from great distances. You can say that Miguel O’Hara would have given Legolas a run for his money.
However, his great eyesight also renders him incredibly light-sensitive. During the day or under bright light conditions, he is forced to wear dark glasses to protect his eyes from being blinded.
Spider-Man 2099 has enhanced hearing too. But of course, his ears can’t hold a candle to those of Daredevil.
Lastly, O’Hara has talons on his hands and feet. Unlike Peter Parker, O’Hara can’t cling to surfaces using his open palm or the underside of his toes and soles.
But his hand and feet talons do a good job of keeping him adhered to walls, ceilings, and tall structures.
Note that Spider-Man 2099’s talons can’t be retracted. He can, however, fold them down without hurting his skin or any part of his body.
Does Spider-Man 2099 Have Web-Shooters?
Yes, Spider-Man 2099 has web-shooters, and they’re 100 percent organic. In other words, he can shoot webs directly from his forearms.
Obviously, this is a big difference from the original Spidey’s artificial web-shooters, which Peter Parker himself invented.
But similar to Parker, O’Hara takes full advantage of his forearm “spinnerets” to swing from one structure to another at high speeds, subdue his enemies, or rescue people from dangerous situations.
Does Spider-Man 2099 Kill?
Yes, Spider-Man 2099 has killed bad guys in the comics. Peter Parker usually refrains from using lethal force when fighting foes, but Miguel O’Hara has no qualms about going for the kill when necessary.
The comics have shown him to be a very capable hand-to-hand fighter. Combine that with his super-strength, enhanced speed, and extreme agility, plus the talons on his hands and feet, and you get a combatant that can easily spell trouble for those with murderous intent.
When left with no choice, O’Hara often unleashes a lightning-fast throat slit that guarantees a trip to the emergency room or worse, the morgue.
Is Spider-Man 2099 Hispanic?
Yes, Spider-Man 2099 is Hispanic. Due to the fact that his mother, Conchata, is Mexican, you can most certainly consider him a Latino.
Furthermore, he uses a bodysuit design he once wore during a Mexican Day of the Dead festival. You can even argue that his mask bears a resemblance to those worn by luchadores (aka lucha libre wrestlers).
Many consider him to be the first-ever Hispanic version of Spider-Man. Indeed, he debuted in the comics way before other Hispanic web slingers did. That celebrated list includes Miles Morales (Puerto Rican) and Spider-Girl Anya Corazon (Mexican).
