Total Knull-ification!
Cover to “The End 2099 #3” (published February 25th, 2026) written by Steve Orlando with art by Ibraim Roberson and colors by Andrew Dalhouse
Cover art by David Marquez and Andrew Dalhouse
Previously in The End 2099, Abyssus decided to up the ante and ensure his advantage against Mephisto’s champions by infecting his own warriors with Knull seeds, transforming the Abyssal Warriors into symbiotic thralls out for blood. Cornered, the heroes of the future of the Marvel Universe have to rally together to survive what could very well turn into a bloodbath. Is the 2099 timeline truly done for? Or can they repel these newly blood lusted warriors? Join me as I break down issue #3 of The End 2099 and give my thoughts on the matter below!
Warning: This article will contain spoilers for “The End 2099 #3”.
Symbiote Swarm
Black Panther 2099 holds up the foot of a Knull seed infected Giant-Man.
The Abyssal Warriors, now infected by Knull seeds courtesy of Abyssus, are on the offensive as our issue opens with an impressive full-page depiction of the champions of the 2099 reality defending themselves against the symbiote-infected attackers. A corrupted Giant-Man tries to stomp on Black Panther 2099 as he reasons that the entire 2099 timeline should accept defeat, as Abyssus is certain to devour them anyway. But the Panther refuses to submit, calling Pym’s grasp of science weak. Hyperion Anax blasts a similarly possessed House of M Wanda Maximoff with intense atomic vision as he puts himself between her and Jean Davidson, Strange 2099, and Earth 2099’s Sorceress Supreme. We also see Miles Morales from Earth 1048 (aka Insomniac’s Marvel gaming universe) attempt to get the jump on Moon Knight 2099, only to be swatted away shortly after. Clearly, both factions of assembled heroes are fighting for survival as this battle rages on.
Spider-Man 3099 reveals he carries antibodies to symbiotes, a trump card that the heroes of 2099 will need.
Moving on, we see Carnage from Earth 311 face down Spider-Man 2099, but before he can do anything to Miguel, Spider-Man 3099 jumps in and stabs Carnage in the shoulder with a talon, allowing Miguel to fire his web and pin Carnage to the wall, devoid of the symbiote. Impressed, Miguel gives props to his future counterpart, who, in turn, reveals he actually possesses antibodies that affect symbiotes. Miguel remarks that such an ability is invaluable and suggests that Spider-Man 3099 could likely take down all of the Knullified warriors because of it.
Meanwhile, Red Hulk from good ol’ Earth 616 is again fighting his future counterpart from 2099. He manages to bite off Red Hulk 2099’s fingers as he rebuffs his criticism, refusing to apologize for who and what he is back in his timeline. He suddenly leaps toward Hyperion 2099 and House of M Wanda, as both manage to dodge him in midair, remarking that he’s unhinged and drunk on the Power Primordial (which I assume is what empowers Red Hulk 2099?). This earns the attention of Hulk 2099, who decides to leave behind Daredevil of Earth 9997 to have a chat with Ross, Hulk to Hulk.
Both Spider-Men of the future briefly overwhelm a Knullified Red Hulk from Earth 616.
It appears as if the Knull seed–infected Red Hulk is about to rip Hulk 2099’s tongue out of his mouth when both Spider-Men of the 2099 and 3099 variety double-team the general. They swing away as our frenzied battle again switches things up to show Strange 2099 battling a Knull seed–infected US Agent before returning back to the Spider-Men of the future. Miguel tries to convince 3099 that they need to synthesize whatever is in his immune system to create a treatment to destroy the seeds while in the midst of a cosmic battle for the fate of multiple worlds. Not a small task.
Abyssus and Mephisto take a leisurely walk through the ruins of the battleground.
Abyssus and Mephisto take a stroll through the ruins of the battlefield on the other side of Viadrome as they survey the destruction their respective forces have wrought. They play some classic villainous mind games with each other, trying to convince each other that their defeat is all too imminent. Mephisto recalls a prior conversation he had with Silver Surfer 2099, in which the latter informed the former that the words of Bloodweilder, Herald of Abyssus (and formerly known as Dracula), had words for him. Wolverine fights Wolverine once more as the Age of Apocalypse Knull seed–infected Logan takes on Nova 2099. But the grizzled space cop isn’t playing around, as he literally shoves his gun in AoA Logan’s mouth and pulls the trigger, effectively incinerating his flesh and leaving his adamantium skull gleaming as he (at least temporarily) ends the fight.
Yeah, that seems like it might be a bit hot.
Both Hulk and Red Hulk 2099 try to restrain the Knullified Red Hulk of Earth 616, but the sudden and convenient geysers of lava that spew from the planet’s volatile core give Ross some much-needed breathing room as AoA Logan is already healing from having his face completely melted off. Miguel and Spider-Man 3099 are rapidly swinging through the battlefield as the synthesized venom they’ve concocted is finally completed. Spidey 3099 pops his talons and shares the immunocyte suspension with Miguel, who has his claws drenched with the goop before they charge the battlefield. In a dazzling display of speed and agility—and no shortage of quips—both Spider-Men quickly rush through the enemy roster, injecting the symbiote-killing poison into the systems of almost countless foes before coming to the biggest gun the Abyssal Warriors have in the form of House of M Wanda, giving her a double dose just to be safe.
The two Spider-Men have quickly found a working rapport with one another.
The Abyssal Warriors, one by one, become free of their Knull seeds as Spider-Man 2099 explains the situation. Strange 2099 further explains that they were each infected by Abyssus to force them to fight on his behalf, dulling their minds while stoking their bloodlust. She’s about to mention how they can now all work together when she’s taken off guard by an optic blast courtesy of a Claremont-era 616 Cyclops with Jean Grey at his side. They explain that even without the Knull seeds, they’ll fight to the bitter end to save their worlds, but a sudden arrival by Cyclops 2099 turns the tide as he transmutes 616 Cyclops’ visor into water, causing Scott to lose control of his optic blast. But Jean isn’t so easily dismayed as she uses telekinesis to divert Scott’s blast and pierce the eye of his future counterpart, disrupting his transmutation beam. Phoenix 2099 swoops in to challenge Jean.
Mephisto is always scheming!
Our issue draws toward its conclusion as a deluge of fire surrounds the two women, but neither can take credit for the fire. And it’s not normal fire, either, but instead actual hellfire that envelops some of the finest warriors the 2099 universe has to offer. Seemingly killed in the eyes of their enemies from the various timelines Abyssus has pulled from, the likes of Spider-Man, Nova, Red Hulk, Hulk, Hyperion, and more from 2099 are welcomed to Hell itself in front of Mephisto, who gleefully welcomes them as his Secret Defenders of 2099, telling them that the real battle is about to begin.
A Brawl for All
Two of the most powerful heroes in the 2099 reality take on Abyssus’ strongest warrior, the infamous House of M Scarlet Witch.
There’s no shortage of fights in The End 2099 #3, that’s for sure! The previous issue gave us plenty of superhero showdowns between characters that would otherwise likely never encounter one another, and this issue delivers more of the same. More than that, about half of these guys and gals are infected with Knull seeds, effectively making them symbiotic versions of these characters from across the Marvel Multiverse. Admittedly, it does get kind of difficult to keep track of these characters, but the focus is mostly on Spider-Man 2099 (and 3099) and a few other key characters from either side, with the others being glorified cameos.
The plot in this issue, courtesy of Steve Orlando, is more of the same: Abyssal Warriors plucked from various realities versus the assembled heroes of the 2099 reality. This time around, the Abyssal Warriors are infected with Knull seeds, which transform them into murderous symbiotes. There are a lot of characters to cover ground with, so the fights feel brief but no less climactic, as both sides are desperately fighting for survival against one another. While these clashes are certainly entertaining, I found myself wanting to check in on Abyssus and Mephisto, which, of course, we eventually do, but it feels all too brief. While I can appreciate the action and fights, ultimately I feel they’re starting to run their course, especially given how some of these fights are rematches or continuations of the scuffles from the previous issue, barring the presence of a symbiote.
Time displaced Clairemont era Scott and Jean are in the fight of their lives.
We do get some semblance of a plot progression beyond heroes fighting one another in the form of Mephisto being a cunning and cagey foe. I will say I enjoy that this series almost forces the reader to root for Mephisto despite the fact that he almost certainly has some terrible scheme, just because Abyssus is that much worse.
It is hard to tell what exactly he has in store for his Secret Defenders of 2099, but I am hoping it is something to really throw a wrench in the "eat everything ever" plan of Abyssus. I did like the moment between Scott and Jean, still willing to fight on behalf of Abyssus even without the Knull seeds. It really sells the desperation of these heroes.
It should be illegal for Nova 2099 to be this #@%$-ing cool.
The artwork here maintains the consistently high quality that has been present since the first issue of this limited series. Ibraim Roberson brings the cataclysmic action to life as Andrew Dalhouse injects the art with vibrant colors. As I have said before in previous issues, The End 2099 feels cinematic and larger than life. It is a real treat when it comes to displaying countless superheroes fighting each other and showcasing the various powers and abilities of the characters.
Even characters I know next to nothing about look extremely cool, and those that I am familiar with steal the show every time they appear. Spider-Man 2099 looks every bit as lithe and mighty as he should, and I have to admit that the design of Spider-Man 3099 is growing on me. The favorite scene here, brief as it is, involves Nova 2099 casually blowing off the face of Age of Apocalypse Wolverine. It is gruesome, over the top, and just the right level of comic book insanity these events live for.
Final Thoughts and Review
These two are the stars of the show for sure.
The End 2099 is an event that does not really try to hide what it is all about, and that frank honesty is refreshing. While it might be overshadowed by another mini series which is wrapping up over at the distinguished competition, it is nevertheless a pleasant enough read. It seems to know when it needs to offer some substantial character development or change of pace. The fights are thrilling and visually cool, but the reader can only do so much before it starts to wear thin.
Final Review: 7/10
If Spider-Man 3099 can’t handle 2099’s sarcasm, you KNOW Peter Parker would drive him insaaaane.
With some sort of fight or action displayed on almost every single page, The End 2099 #3 delivers the goods to people invested in superhero battles while still remembering to tell a story beyond superheroes from across time and space punching and blasting one another. The large cast of characters from numerous realities and timelines can be a lot to keep track of but the quality of the art and fun factor of the battles ensure the book is worth checking out.