#but i’ve never seen gwen and miles be compared to anyone else??

[timebom]

”omg sobbing, jinx and ekko are exactly like miles and gwen, the parallels are crazy!! 😭❤️”

Me:

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Peter David’s 2010s Spider-Man 2099 run. Some quick thoughts.

Now I’ve finally read through every (and I do mean every) instalment in PAD’s 2010s 2099 work I want to share some brief thoughts about it over all.

It’s flawed basically. Fundamentally broken? You know what arguably so. But...whilst it was going on...it was unquestionably among the best material the Spider-Man line was putting out. At times it was simply THE best.

Given we were suffering through Spider-Verse, then Parker Industries (along with Clone Conspiracy, Power Play and all that rotten shit) that’s a low bar I know.

But that’s why I can’t simply dismiss this run (let’s call it a run for brevity’s sake) out of hand. At a time when Peter Parker was broken, when so much bad material was being put out, this 2099 work was at worst...flawed.

Just about the biggest sin it committed was seemingly fridging Tempest at the start of volume 3 and putting Miguel in an ugly looking costume that ripped off Batman Beyond. There were other sins (see my post regarding the final arcs regarding the confusing time travel and lack of pay off to stuff).

But PAD was at least trying to deliver something of substance, trying to give us stakes, and often times he delivered on it.

Miguel O’Hara as a character always shined though.

This was a time when:

·         Peter Parker was unrecognizable

·         The only recognizable Peter Parker was off in an alternate universe with a Spider-Family

·         Spider-Gwen and Miles were great ideas being bungled

·         The Web Warriors was wasting decent-great characters (often over simplifying them)

·         Silk was slowly but surely being reconstructed into a character worth a damn

·         Flash as Venom was stuck with Guardians and Space Knight bullshit

·         Brock had become Venom again but no one knew what else to do with him afterwards

·         Cheap variant Spider-Man actions figures were thrown against the wall to see what would stick

During these dark days, Miguel O’Hara was by far the most consistent Spider character around. Not just consistent, well defined. Maybe he didn’t change all that much (arguably). But there was never a moment you felt his character was off the mark. You never felt he was mere surface level.

Amidst the above chaos Peter David and Will Sliney kept Miguel steady and sure, effortlessly illustrating to us that he wasn’t a typical do gooder and absolutely not Peter Parker. Miguel as a character didn’t fit neatly into the box of hero, nor anti-hero. He was a man undeniably on the side of the angels but also undeniably not one of them.

The same might not have been true of every other character they presented to readers, but none of them were awful and most of them were likable. Even when their characters were mostly surface level, PAD’s inventiveness allowed for fun futuristic spins on familiar characters and so you wouldn’t mind seeing more of them!

More than this, at a time when diversity and representation were hot button topics within the comic book community, this run delivered on that in subtle and organic ways.

Miguel himself was a person of colour. So was his love interest. Arguably his staff too, one of which was a queer woman. There was a dwarf as a recurring character, a musclebound Hispanic/Latina (sorry I’m british, I’m not clear on the distinction and the comic never spells it out either) woman as practically the partner of our protagonist and that’s not even diving into all the 2099 versions of familiar characters.

The cruel irony of this is that I’ve never seen anyone in the course of discussions regarding diversity or what not bring up this run.

Maybe that’s a testament to the craftsmanship in play. Because it never occurred to me that the series had that much diversity, representation, etc until after the fact. Whilst reading it, they were just decent-great characters.

I’m not suggesting that stuff excuses the flaws in the series of course.

Speaking of the flaws I’ve kind of levelled some of it against PAD, but I think Marvel themselves are owed at least half the blame.

Marvel’s obnoxious insistence upon events directly or indirectly caused this series to have to pivot more than once. It built up steady steam for 4 issues before being derailed for 4-6, then having to wrap stuff up in two before being put on hiatus. One relaunch and 5 more issues later we’re doing an Inhumans thing for another 2 issues, then 5 more issues later we have to do another 4 part event tie-in.

PAD is consummate enough to have turned some of these into strengths, but we can only dream about how much more he might’ve accomplished if he wasn’t derailed at all. Shit, the post-Secret Wars volume might’ve had to change course to accommodate the Parker Industries garbage too!

Were I to rank some of the stand out arcs it’d go something like:

1)      Vol 2 #1-4. In my view, this is top to bottom simply the best arc of the entire thing, which isn’t me damning the rest of the run. The set up for the status quo is there. The establishment of the protagonist and supporting players is sleek and efficient. There is super hero action, clever subversions and sharp dialogue. I don’t dislike the rest of the series but in all honesty, these first 4 issues represent a direction that could have, and probably should have been compared to what we got.

2)      Vol 2. #6-7. Miguel in the future, which is what the series frankly should always have been.

3)      Secret Wars 2099: Avengers 2099 vs. Defenders 2099. PAD and Sliney essentially found logical gaps in the original 2099 titles from the 1990s and organically filled them with fun reinventions of classic characters.

4)      Vol 3. #10-12: Probably the highlight of the third volume and a clever way of integrating the lore of 2099 into the status quo of a Miguel situated in the present day. Fanservice for old school 2099 fans for sure!

5)      Vol. 3 #13-16: Every once in a while a miracle happens and a mandated event tie-in story winds up being a fun time. This is such a miracle. More than any arc, this one truly celebrates the 2099 universe cast of characters and delivers a fun ride!

And an honourable mention to the final issue, Vol.3 #25. For all it’s flaws it succinctly showcases for you Miguel O’Hara’s personality.

So that’s it, I’m all caught up and fully primed for the 2019 Marvel 2099 event!

[azvolrien]

Five Vignettes about Asta in Stormhaven - Workshop

Talkin’ ’bout constructs.

~~~

           “I just – I don’t understand what the problem is!” Galen said, quickly leafing through his notes. “It’s not a mechanical issue – I’ve tested all of the joints and they move just fine. The crystal is the proper size for a construct this big. It’s some of my neatest rune work ever. And it just – won’t – move!” His voice rose to a wail on the last word.

           “All right, take a step back and go get a glass of water,” said Calburn. “We can sort this out, but you need to get your head in the right place first. Believe me, I know from experience that you make more mistakes when you get worked up.”

           Galen took a deep, steadying breath, closed his eyes, and ran the fingers of both hands back through his hair. “Yes. All right. Back in a minute.”

           To Galen’s visible dismay, his work had gained an extra observer when he returned. One of Master Gwen’s assistants was peering around the door with great interest.

           “Right, let’s have another look at this,” said Calburn. “And – sorry, can we help you?”

           The woman at the door started and edged around the door into the construct workshop. “Yes, Master Gwen sent me down to get the latest materials inventory.”

           “In the office,” said Calburn, pointing. “The blue folder on the desk.”

           She nodded and hurried over to collect it. “Is something the matter?” she asked on the way back out.

           “My new construct won’t activate,” said Galen morosely.

           “Maybe… Maybe I could have a look?” she suggested. “Get a fresh pair of eyes on the problem.”

           “I don’t need critique from someone who isn’t even a mage,” muttered Galen.

           “Don’t be an arse, Galen,” said Calburn sharply. “Like she says, it can’t hurt to get a fresh look at it.” He stepped aside, clearing the woman’s path, and gestured at the construct.

           The woman nodded and walked in a thoughtful circle around the construct, still immobile on its supporting frame. “The metalwork is beautiful,” she commented. “Some very elegant machining on the front legs there, and in the support for the power crystal. The use of the smoky quartz is a nice touch aesthetically, and that crystal’s certainly big enough. So what is the problem?” She knelt down to peer at the runes inscribed on the chest plate and inside the casing along the back of the construct’s neck. “Ah-ha! I see – it’s a simple runic issue.”

           “There’s nothing wrong with my runes,” said Galen, folding his arms defensively.

           The woman held up a hand in what was probably meant to be a soothing gesture. “See, in the activation array on the chest, you’ve used this rune?” She took a notebook from one pocket and drew the symbol in question.

           “That’s a perfectly standard power rune,” said Galen.

           “Yes – but it’s intended for much smaller constructs. Guard dogs, messengers and similar. By itself it can’t channel enough power to properly activate a construct of this size.”

           Calburn leant in for a closer look, comparing the image in the notebook to the one on the construct’s chest. “…She’s right, Galen.”

           Galen made an indignant spluttering sound best transcribed as “!?”

           “There’s an easy solution, though,” she assured him. “Either you can sand out the original and replace it with this one,” she drew a second rune in her notebook, “or you can add some amplifier marks around the original so it can handle the greater power requirements.” This, too, was added to her notes, and she held up the pad for Galen to see the new diagram. He looked from the paper to the construct and back again a couple of times, and left the workshop without another word.

           Calburn sighed. “Sorry about him,” he said. “Senior apprentice – he’s at that stage in his education where he knows just enough to think he knows everything. He’ll come back once he’s salved his bruised ego.”

           “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

           “Nah, you’re fine. I figure they learn more from their mistakes than from their triumphs. I didn’t catch that rune problem, though – well done with that!” Calburn looked at her thoughtfully. She hunched her shoulders slightly, her eyes uncertain, and he took what he hoped were a few reassuring steps back to give her more space. “I haven’t seen you around much.”

           She nodded. “I just started helping in Master Gwen’s office earlier this week.”

           “That explains it, then. M’name’s Calburn – or Master Calburn Sayer of the School of Constructs, to use my full title.”

           “Asta zeDamar. Just… just Asta, usually.”

           Calburn nodded. “How d’you know about activation arrays?” he asked. “That’s fairly advanced stuff, to know what each specific rune does.”

           “Oh, I’ve always been interested in constructs. I’ve probably read most of the available literature – Rathlean’s The Making of Constructs is the seminal work of the modern age, of course, but Magnussen’s treatise on the integration of traditional rune magic is vital reading as well when dealing with built constructs like this, and anyone interested in grown constructs really needs to look at the works of wizards like Pritchard and MacAskill, firstly to understand how the technique originated and then to look at what can really be done with it today. Hassan’s Revenants of Kemet is interesting if you want to look into the deeper historical background, too.”

           Calburn blinked.

           “Sorry,” said Asta sheepishly. “My parents always used to say I could get very wordy when I got onto the topic of constructs.”

           “And you never thought of going into the field yourself?” asked Calburn.

           “Well… I would have loved to, but like your student said – I’m not a mage.”

           Calburn nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, that is a bit of a stumbling block. I suppose you could still have had a role as a designer.”

            “I looked into it,” said Asta sadly. “None of the relevant courses accepted non-mage students. I do have a construct, though,” she added more happily, taking a polished oval of black granite from an inside pocket.

           “May I see? There’s-” Calburn looked around. “Yes, there’s enough room over there for materialisation.”

           Asta held up the stone and stepped back to let her construct materialise around it. Lines of light stretched out from the hovering stone, sketching out a tall, four-legged form before, with a final bright flash, the construct solidified. Calburn covered his mouth with both hands. Asta’s construct looked more like a giant panther than anything else, with sleek black fur with the ghosts of spots like patterns on watered silk. The head, too, was feline, with neat rounded ears, the dark stone embedded in its forehead, and the pupilless yellow eyes typical of a grown construct, while a pair of horns shaped a bit like a ram’s but with a smooth surface more like a cow’s curled out and down from the back of its skull. Proportionally it stood a little taller than a leopard would have, closer to the build of a wolf though more muscular, and the long tail sported a broad, fan-like fringe of wiry hair near the end, but the velvety black paws were pure cat.

           “Oh, she is beautiful,” said Calburn, leaning in to see the patterns impressed into the leather of the harness.

           “Thank you, but – ‘she’?”

           “Oh, you don’t do that? Most people I know use the same pronouns as themselves for their constructs.”

           Asta shrugged. “I never got into the habit. Its name is Pardus.”

           “I can see why. Out of the Grishin workshop in the Imperial City, yeah? I recognise the detailing on the harness.”

           “Not just from the workshop; it was Alexei Grishin himself.”

           Calburn whistled, impressed. “His work doesn’t come cheap, either.”

           “It wasn’t,” said Asta. “It was a graduation present – my parents saved up for years for it.”

           “They must be very proud of you,” said Calburn, smiling.

           Asta sighed and looked at the floor. “I… hope they would be.”

           “You – oh. Oh, gods. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.”

           “It – it’s fine. I don’t… really talk about it much.” She ran her fingers over the fine, soft fur on Pardus’s muzzle.

           “So… How fast can it run?”

           Asta smiled for the distraction. “It can manage a sustained top speed of forty miles an hour over good ground, and a little more in short bursts. It’s very sure-footed, too, so even over rough ground it isn’t slowed down too much.”

           “Not bad!” said Calburn. “My Mostol is built more for strength – he can hit thirty flat-out, but his usual speed isn’t much more than twenty – but I’ve clocked Vrand at sixty.”

           “Sixty?”

           “That’s in level flight, of course,” said Calburn. “On the ground he can barely hit ten – not really made for walking, bless him.” He took the fist-sized summoning stone on its string from inside his tunic. “D’you want to see him?” he asked, gesturing to the door out into the College grounds.

           “That’s a very big stone for a simple messenger construct,” said Asta. “Wait – are you saying you’ve made a flying construct big enough to ride?” Calburn nodded. “Then yes, I want to see him!”

           Outside, when the gigantic construct had fully materialised and folded his near-hundred-and-fifty-foot wingspan, Asta had to sit down for a moment.

           “So you’re telling me,” she said faintly, “that for your masterpiece construct… You made a dragon.”

           “Well, he’s a bit more mammalian,” said Calburn. “But essentially… Yeah.”

           “You’re a demented genius, Calburn Sayer.”

           “I’ve always thought so,” said Calburn with a grin, “but you’re the first to say it out loud.”

           “Great gods above. I mean, I’d seen Narwhal, but this��” Asta shook her head, smiling. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

           “And that’s why they made me a Master,” said Calburn, still grinning. “Listen – d’you want to come out for a drink after work?”

           “Oh. Um. Uh. That’s very flattering, but I – I’m not interested in men. Romantically.”

           “Duly noted for future reference,” said Calburn. “But I didn’t mean romantically – I honestly just wanted to chat some more about constructs.”

           Asta considered him in silence for a few seconds.

           “I could ask my pal Rhona to come along too if it’d make you more comfortable,” offered Calburn.  

           “Well, m- Sorry, your pal what?”

           “Rhona Carnwennan. You’ve probably seen her around – she’s one of the Healers.”

           “Oh. Well… All right, then.”

           “Great! Shall we say five o’clock at the Fox and Hare?”

           Asta nodded and got to her feet. “That’s the one just down the road, right? Yes, that works – I’ll meet you there at five. Now…” She smiled and held up her satchel. “I really do need to get this inventory back to Master Gwen.”

~~~

Asta got the job on her own merits - Ari didn’t drop a word in Master Gwen’s ear or anything. She did point Asta in the direction of the vacancy, though.