For many years, Marvel 2099 was set to be the official future of Marvel Comics. There have been several other alternate futures before and since, but the setting has continued to resonate with readers. The End 2099 teased a conclusion of sorts for the setting, yet has closed with the shocking deaths of two powerful villains.
The deaths came in the climax of The End 2099 #5. Written by Steve Orlando, the final issue features art by Gabriel Guzman, Stefano Nesi, Daniel Picciotto, and Ibraim Roberson. The series centered around a battle royale, arranged as part of a wager by two cosmic villains.
On one side was Abyssus; a being formed of the merger of Galactus, Devourer of Worlds and the symbiote god Knull. On the other was the demon Mephisto, who feared this Devourer in Black would consume all the souls he strove to possess. Mephisto assembled an army made of the heroes and villains of the Marvel 2099 timeline. Contrastingly, Abyssus chose his forces from across the multiverse. However, the conflict ultimately ended with both halves of Abyssus dying.
How Knull and Galactus die in Marvel 2099?
In the midst of the battle, a team lead by Spider-Man 2099 escaped to seek the Ultimate Nullifier. One of the most powerful weapons in all Marvel, the Ultimate Nullifier can kill any being, no matter how powerful. However, it does this at the cost of the wielder’s life. This ensures that only the most desperate or most noble beings ever make use of it.
However, the heroes had no intention of using the Ultimate Nullifier themselves. Rather, they offered it to Galactus, whose Heralds sensed his disgust with Knull’s depravity since they joined together. They also reminded him of the cost of the Ultimate Nullifier.
Pulling himself free of the symbiote god, Galactus activated the Ultimate Nullifier and ended both their existences. This was all revealed to be part of Mephisto’s scheme, ironically saving the future to satisfy his own greed. This also put an ironic twist on the title of the miniseries, for this prevented “The End” of Marvel 2099.
The End 2099 #5 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
