Summary
Warning: contains spoilers for Annihilation 2099 #2!As Marvel introduces a newStar-Lord, the hero is officially surpassing Peter Quill’s power level, joiningCaptain MarvelandThoras a literal god-tier powerhouse. While Peter Quill has achieved immense successes and even flirted with cosmic power, he’s generally seen as a regular human-level hero with some space gadgetry and a generous helping of good luck. However, in the distant future,the next Star-Lord is so powerful, even a living sun doesn’t stand a chance.
InAnnihilation 2099 #2,Marvel introduces Starlord 2099(this version doesn’t use Peter Quill’s hyphen.) The hero wields a powerful energy hammer, with both the weapon and her costume made from Vibranium. This is essential going up against Quasar 2099 - a living star which has begun executing entire planets full of people. Starlord 2099 is so powerful, she manages to fist fight with a literal star before finding a way to end its reign of terror. It’s the perfect way to introduce a hero who’s meant to be Marvel’s new answer to Thor and Captain Marvel.
This new power level was always an essential element of the character. Pete Woods' design page in the comic states that the new hero was designed as a cosmic powerhouse:
We wanted to invoke the kind of power Captain Marvel and Thor have, a figure who can go toe-to-toe with a god if need be. Her Starhammer, forged on Wakanda, can asborn energy, redirect it, or release it against whatever threat she faces. … She has hundreds of orbital guard posts connected by folded-space doorways. With this Starpath, she can get to a stellar emergency in seconds.
New Red Hulk 2099 Redefines Hulk’s Jump Strength with a Mind-Blowing Power Feat
The Hulk is famous for jumping from state to state, but the new Red Hulk is dialing it up to 11 with a literal self-powered space launch.
The New Star-Lord Can “Go Toe-to-Toe With a God”
Starlord 2099 Is Indestructible, Incredibly Powerful and Can Teleport Across the Galaxy
Marvel’s 2099 imprint takes place in an alternate timeline - a possible future of the mainstream Marvel universe, set in the year 2099.Annihilation 2099has been introducing new cosmic heroes to this continuity, including the new Nova 2099 (actually an aging Wolverine with new powers) and Red Hulk 2099 (who gains his powers by eating part of Ego the Living Planet.) 2099 started out as a street-level label, with Spider-Man 2099 as its ‘main character.’ However, in the decades since its introduction, it has expanded, withAnnihilation 2099introducing a godlike new hero in each issue. Hopefully, Starlord 2099 will end up recruiting the others into a new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Marvel’s cosmic landscape has always been more niche than its Earth-based adventures, but some of Marvel’s most powerful and most creative characters operate out in space, where planet-destroying power can actually be wielded against fitting enemies. Fansonly just metStarlord 2099, but it’s awesome to know the Wakandan hero was designed to stand shoulder to shoulder withThorandCaptain Marvel, protecting 2099 with all the powers of a fledgling god.
