Hulk 2099

Superherobox|

caption=Cover art of "2099 Unlimited" #3
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Hulk 2099
real_name=John Eisenhart
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="2099 Unlimited" #1 (September 1993)
creators=Gerard Jones, Dwayne Turner
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=Lotusland Productions
aliases=
powers=Superhuman strength, stamina and durability,
Razor sharp claws and fangs,
Accelerated healing factor|

Hulk 2099 is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Gerard Jones and Dwayne Turner and first appeared in "2099 Unlimited" #1. As with many other Marvel 2099 characters, Hulk 2099 was a futuristic re-imagining of a popular Marvel character.

Publication history

Hulk 2099's first regular appearances were in "2099 Unlimited" #1-6, as one of several different stories in the anthology. The character later starred in his own series, "Hulk 2099" which ran for 10 issues (starting in 1994). After the series ended, the character was one of several heroes killed in the "2099 A.D. Apocalypse" one-shot, which concluded the One Nation Under Doom storyline and changed the Marvel 2099 setting.

Hulk 2099 played no further role in the Marvel 2099 comics, but a version of the character later appeared in the pages of "Exiles".

Fictional character biography

John Eisenhart was a studio executive for Lotusland Productions, researching the Knights of Banner, migrant worshippers of the Hulk. The Knights of Banner had been experimenting with gamma rays, hoping to create a new Hulk. After the Knights refused to sell their story to him, Eisenhart reported them to the police. As the police arrived, a battle ensued leading to the capturing and slaughter of many knights. Eisenhart, wracked with guilt, joined the Knights in their fight. A young knight the studio exec had befriended named Gawain tried to end the violence by killing everyone by setting off the gamma devices, only to have his new ally caught in the blast. The blast transformed Eisenhart into a new Hulk, who quickly ended the battle. Upon returning to Lotusland, the studio executive was assigned to investigate a new desert creature (himself).

During his investigation, Eisenhart/Hulk would meet a singer/songwriter named Quirk. She would join Eisenhart/Hulk in his search for Gawain, who had been captured during the initial battle. The search would take them to multiple locations, including a mall that is dozens of miles long and has many abandoned areas. The Hulk would deal with multiple foes in multiple spots while his human side, which he is liking less and less, has to deal with the backstabbing at his workplace. This plot would last for the duration of the Hulk's 2099 Unlimited appearances, with the young knight being rescued.

Gawain's salvation would be short-lived, as he would die at the hands of the villain Draco at the start of the "Hulk 2099" series, fueling Eisenhart/Hulk with guilt and remorse throughout the rest of the series over his broken vow to protect the young knight. In addition to Draco, the Hulk would face other villains throughout the series (Golden One, Cybershaman, Dr. Apollo, Anti-Hulk). The Hulk would meet his demise at the barrels of guns of the post-Doom S.H.I.E.L.D., dying after being shot by an unspecified energy in "2099 A.D. Apocalypse".

Exiles

The Exiles later visited the Marvel 2099 universe. After being resurrected and escaping the House of M, Proteus took over the body of this version of Hulk 2099, looking for a suitable host body that wouldn't expire quickly due to his vast energy. Although physically powerful, the Hulk's body was not enough to sustain Proteus, who transferred himself into the body of Morph in the Future Imperfect universe.

The appearance of Proteus early in the year 2099 caused a timeline divergence from the original Marvel 2099 continuity, and the new timeline is identified as Earth-6375 in the "All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z" #5.

Powers and abilities

The Hulk 2099, like his namesake, was one of the strongest characters in his fictional universe; and like the original, the strength of the character would increase with his emotional state. In addition, Hulk 2099 had a high level of speed, durability, and stamina. Unlike his predecessor this Hulk had razor sharp claws and fangs.

The most distinctive contrast of Hulk 2099 to his Earth 616 counterpart was his psyche. Initially, when turned into the Hulk, Eisenhart retained his intellect and personality (although significantly more aggressive, due possibly to his current emotional state). Eisenhart was even able to control his transformations. However, as the series progressed, Eisenhart and the Hulk became two distinct and separate personalities, Eisenhart more ruthless, while the Hulk heroic. As the mental separation became more distant, transformation would only occur during moments of rage.