Marvel Comics Announces ‘Annihilation 2099’: Nova, Star-Lord, Silver Surfer, More

Marvel Comics has teased “Annihilation 2099” on social media Tuesday with the official announcement made on Wednesday.

The first teaser image posted Tuesday also teases “The Beginning Of The End,” and worth a mention is that it features the original Annihilation logo from the stellar Marvel Comics event from 2005/6 by the late Keith Giffen which features Annihilus as the villain invading the Marvel 616 universe.

That Annihilation event actually led to Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (DnA) taking over Marvel COSMIC who penned the Annihilation: Nova mini-series. DnA would go on to write the 2007 Nova series, the Annihilation: Conquest sequel, the 2008 Guardians of the Galaxy series which inspired the James Gunn MCU movies, and lots more.

Sadly, the likes of Joe Quesada, Brian Bendis, Tom Brevoort, Jeph Loeb, and Axel Alonso canceled it all because of Gunn’s movie and relaunched the Marvel Cosmic line to mimic Gunn’s goofy take on the characters (Gunn actually brought DnA back in a GOTG one-shot/mini).

Marvel has done a couple of Annihilation follow-ups, but they have paled in comparison to the original.

So what’s Annihilation 2099 about? Read on.

What is Annihilation 2099?

Per the official announcement at Marvel.com, Annihilation 2099 is a new five-issue event series that will be released weekly in July written by Steve Orlando with art by Nick Bradshaw, Ibraim Roberson, José Luis, Pete Woods, Ario Anindito, and Dale Eaglesham.

At first glance, it’s looks okay, but the original Annihilation consisted of over two dozen issues that all tied together, so yeah, the 2099 version will come nowhere near that. Does the 2099 version even have a villain?

The original featured Drax, Nova, Ronan, Silver Surfer, and Super-Skrull, with Annihilation 2099 featuring Nova, Star-Lord, Red Hulk, Silver Surfer, and Dracula.

Not much is known about Nova 2099, but for some reason we see he is using guns? Huh? What happened to the Nova Force?

Of course they have to add in diversity (eyeroll), so this time it’s the white blond-dude Star-Lord to get replaced by a “Wakandan tech goddess!” Of course, blond white dude Quasar is the bad guy.

Red Hulk 2099? I suppose that fits in with the original Hulk 2099 but whatever happened to that version?

Silver Surfer 2099 — I don’t like the look at all. Also, why not just use the original version? Or, isn’t there already a Silver Surfer in the 2099 universe (it’s been a while since I read any of the 2099 stuff, an “Annihilation 2099 Prologue” to explain things would be cool!)

Dracula 2099? Sounds cool and will feature a version of Darkhawk, so I’m open to it.

What happened to Doom 2099?!

Check out the art and synopsis for each issue below.

Marvel.com also teased the following:

“2099 is back and it’s going cosmic!” Orlando told Marvel.com “ANNIHILATION 2099 has been the best kind of challenge—bringing even more cosmic into Marvel’s iconic cyberpunk line, and keeping it all fresh, provocative, and surprising!”

“No pun intended, but Steve, Ibraim, Ario, Jose, Pete and Dale have knocked this 2099 epic out of orbit!” Editor Mark Paniccia told the site. “Each issue is action packed with a unique vibe and tone. There’s horror, western, 50’s sci-fi, super hero and all COSMIC! It’s hard to pick a favorite they’re all so good! And Pete Woods’ character designs are incredible. I hope they make action figures of them all soon!”

“The heroes introduced in ANNIHILATION 2099 are each heroes I could write forever—each with their own tragic beginnings in the Mighty Marvel Tradition,” Orlando continued. “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!”

ANNIHILATION 2099 #1

Synopsis:

Who is the last Nova?! A remote town on a remote world is devastated by the ravenous, unforgiving Knull Set, a gang of raiders and thieves obsessed with offering all life up to the darkness. But that all changes when a stranger comes to town, a stranger from the stars who answers to his own code. The last survivor of Xandar… the last Nova.

Who is the Last Nova, and what great tragedy does he carry on his back? Is he the inheritor of the Nova Corps or its destroyer? Plus, in a special backup by Orlando and Dale Eaglesham, Dracula’s ship set course for the stars, seeking the brave new world his daughter Lilith forged for the vampires of Earth. But what tragedy does fate have in store for his journey and will he ever be reunited with his people?

ANNIHILATION 2099 #2

Synopsis:

A Wakandan tech goddess! Starlord guards the solar systems of 2099! But she faces a villain like no other: Quasar, the Living Star! Born to a fallen star, raised on Planet Wakanda, Starlord risks her life to save a world against a sun gone mad!

ANNIHILATION 2099 #3

Synopsis:

Rage of the Red Hulk! Explorer Ross Romero’s team ends up mining Ego the Living Planet! What makes Ross transform into an all-new Red Hulk whose cosmic strength and hyperspace jumps are fueled by the power primordial? And is the new Red Hulk’s power enough to defeat Terrax, the Planet Hunter? 

ANNIHILATION 2099 #4

Synopsis:

A Faustian pact to shake the stars! His life cut short, Mephisto offers Jonah Marlo a deal—more time among the living in return for his soul. Now he collects souls for his master… as the Silver Surfer of 2099! But he can do the devil’s bidding no longer! It’s Mephisto vs. the Silver Surfer with a galaxy of souls on the line!

ANNIHILATION 2099 #5

Synopsis:

First contact with the Impaler! After a derelict spacecraft crashes on an alien world, the wreck reveals a deadly discovery—Dracula! But this is a planet terrified of the daylight, which Dracula couldn’t love more. Soon, he’s their hero. When a Darkhawk attacks from the stars, Dracula fights back! But does he want to save the planet or make it the first world in his new empire?