Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which introduced audiences to the concept of a multiverse of Spider-People. The sequel, which is set to release on October 7, 2023, will feature the return of Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) as he teams up with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and other Spider-People from different dimensions to face a new threat. One of the most prominent new characters in the film is Spider-Man 2099, a.k.a. Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), who appeared in a post-credits scene in the first film and is revealed to be the leader of the Spider Society, a group of interdimensional Spider-People who protect the multiverse.
However, some fans have noticed that Spider-Man 2099 has a very different appearance and personality from other Spider-People, especially his fangs and red eyes, which give him a vampiric look. Is he really a vampire in Across the Spider-Verse, or is there another explanation for his unique features?
The Origin of Spider-Man 2099
Spider-Man 2099 was created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi in 1992 as part of Marvel Comics’ 2099 imprint, which featured futuristic versions of popular Marvel characters. Miguel O’Hara was a brilliant geneticist who worked for Alchemax, a powerful corporation that controlled most aspects of life in the dystopian year of 2099. He was experimenting with a genetic engineering machine that could rewrite a person’s DNA based on a template, but his boss Tyler Stone sabotaged his experiment and addicted him to a drug called Rapture. To free himself from the addiction, Miguel used the machine to restore his original DNA, but unknown to him, Stone had tampered with the machine and replaced half of Miguel’s DNA with spider DNA.
As a result, Miguel gained spider-like abilities, such as enhanced strength, agility, reflexes, and senses. He also developed organic webbing that he could shoot from his forearms, retractable talons on his fingers and toes, and venomous fangs that could paralyze his enemies. He decided to use his powers to fight against Alchemax and other corrupt forces in his world, adopting the identity of Spider-Man 2099.
The Role of Spider-Man 2099 in Across the Spider-Verse
In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Miguel O’Hara is shown to be the leader of the Spider Society, a group of interdimensional Spider-People who monitor and protect the stability of the multiverse. He recruits Miles Morales to join his team after Miles accidentally breaks a canon event in Mumbattan, a dimension where Manhattan is merged with Mumbai. Miguel explains that breaking canon events can cause catastrophic consequences for the multiverse, such as creating paradoxes, anomalies, and rifts. He also reveals that he has seen firsthand what happens when someone messes with reality and how it cost him everything.
However, Miguel’s attitude towards Miles and other Spider-People is not very friendly or supportive. He sees Miles as a cosmic mistake who needs to be corrected and does not hesitate to use force or threats to make him comply. He also does not care about the lives or feelings of other people in different dimensions, as long as he can preserve the multiverse. He is cold, ruthless, and pragmatic, showing little empathy or compassion for anyone.
The Reason for Spider-Man 2099’s Vampiric Appearance
Spider-Man 2099’s vampiric appearance in Across the Spider-Verse is not due to him being an actual vampire, but rather a result of his spider DNA. His fangs are not used for sucking blood, but for injecting venom into his foes. His red eyes are not a sign of bloodlust, but of enhanced vision that allows him to see in low-light conditions. His pale skin is not an indication of undead status, but of lack of exposure to sunlight in his dark and polluted world.
However, his appearance does reflect his personality and character arc in the film. He is isolated from other Spider-People by his different origin and abilities. He is also haunted by his past and driven by his mission to save the multiverse at any cost. He has become more monster than man, losing his humanity and compassion along the way. He is contrasted with Miles Morales, who is more human and relatable despite having spider powers. Miles also values friendship and family over duty and destiny.
Spider-Man 2099 is not a vampire in Across the Spider-Verse, but he is certainly one of the most intriguing and complex characters in the film. Fans will have to wait until October 7th to see how his story unfolds and how he will interact with Miles Morales and other Spider-People.
