With Norman Osborn having been revealed as the leader of the all-powerful organisation The Cabal, the Spider-Man of 2099 – Miguel O’Hara – seeks to stop him (and them) from reaching the new Garden of Eden, which offers power beyond the wildest dreams of nearly anyone in the cyberpunk future of the Marvel Universe. O’Hara is informed that there may be someone who can help, though their methods may be questionable: the last Winter Soldier.

It’s another action-packed issue, heavy on the fight scenes and barely featuring Spider-Man 2099 at all – this is mostly a chance to get to know 2099’s Winter Soldier. As such, it can’t help but feel like a bit of an aside; though important stuff does happen, it’s a shame that we’re not yet privy to any information about Norman Osborn’s seemingly impossible return or much beyond the Winter Soldier’s straightforward mission. It is a decent look at this new incarnation of a popular character though, with some interesting backstory and world building that enriches the 2099 universe.

At the end of the issue, we’re promised an appearance from Loki in issue 3; hopefully, this series doesn’t just turn into a way to introduce a new character per issue at the expense of doing anything with it’s admittedly basic plot.

It’s fun – and certainly very well illustrated by Dave Wachter – but as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 2099 universe, it can’t help but feel like it’s currently missing the mark.