Origin
In one possible future, the Marvel Universe of the year 2099 is vastly different than the ones that exist in the now. The Age of Heroes has ended long ago and much of the country is run by corporations which use violence to grow and expand, giving an all-new meaning to the phrase “corporate take-over.” In Los Angeles, the base of operations for Hulk 2099, things are even worse. In 2076, a band of eco-terrorists detonated California’s fault lines, creating a moat which separated Western California from the rest of the nation, causing it to descend further into the hands of corrupt corporate villains.
However, there was a cult that lived in the California-region called the “Knights of Banner” who worshiped the Hulk of the 20th century and lived by a code of honor. Tired of the state of society, they began experiments with gamma radiation to create a new Hulk which would save the people from their terrible position in life. The enigmatic lifestyle of the Knights attracted L.A. movie studios, which wanted to make a film based on their lifestyle.
Creation
Hulk 2099 was created by Gerard Jones and Dwayne Turner and first appeared in 2099 Unlimited issue 1 (1993).
Major Story Arcs
Becoming Hulk 2099
One studio in particular, Lotusland Entertainment, sent their ruthless deal maker John Eisenhart to meet the Knights of Banner and secure the rights to their story. However, the Knights, who were more interested in honor and integrity than Hollywood money, turned him down. However, John didn’t take “no” for an answer and tricked a young boy in the Knights, Gawain, to reveal the Knight’s secrets to him. Gawain revealed that the Knights were carrying out illegal gamma experiments to recreate the Hulk. John, who had no reservations to play dirty to get what he wanted, reported the Knight’s activities. Unexpectedly for John, an armada of police attacked and slaughtered the Knights. John tried to stop them, but the only one who he could save was Gawain. But in the process, the Knight’s gamma weapon discharged and John was turned into the Hulk 2099.
Now haunted by the guilt of getting all of the Knights killed, John swore to protect the Gawain, the last of the Knights of Banner. However, even that failed when a man/machine named Draco committed a violent corporate takeover of Lotusland. In the process, Gawain was killed. Hulk 2099 dedicated himself to defending the people from monsters like Draco and became a leader in a rebellion against them. After President Victor Von Doom‘s takeover of America, John stole a gamma device from one of Doom’s henchmen in order to keep it from Doom himself. This device was similar to the one that granted John the ability to transform into his Hulk-like form. Draco goes on to inform John that if he doesn’t turn the device over to him, he will detonate a massive bomb placed directly on the city’s fault line. In the ensuing battle, the bomb detonated and triggered a massive earthquake. The earthquake set off the gamma device that resulted in a massive explosion, laying waste to the city. John emerged from the rubble, mutated even more so by the radiation emitted from the device. His mutation stabilized and he returned to his original form just prior to S.H.I.E.L.D. agents arrived in the region. While battling them, John seemingly perished.
Exiles
Hulk 2099 appears in the Exiles story arc World Tour. He is possessed by Proteus and fights the Exiles. The Hulk possessed Proteus leave the 2099 universe and goes to the Future Imperfect universe. Proteus/Hulk meet with Rick Jones and make Rick believe that he is here to defeat Maestro. Rick believes him and gives Proteus/Hulk a weapon to kill Maestro. When Proteus/Hulk goes to kill Maestro it turns out the Exiles met with Maestro first and warned him about Proteus. After a battle sequence between Proteus/Hulk, Maestro, and the Exiles, Proteus possess Morph and leaves Hulk 2099 in the future Imperfect universe.
Timestorm version
In an alternate form of the year 2099 there are multiple Hulks in the desert like lands of the future. They consume most of the food and have caused the X-Men of that year to work even with humans to stop them. Wolverine from the present ran into them when he was transported by the Punisher of 2099.
Secret Wars and Civil War 2099
Hulk 2099 made recent appearances in Secret Wars 2099, as part of the Defenders and later in the Civil War 2099 arc, along with many other heroes.
2099: Exodus
In the rewritten 2099 Universe, Hulk 2099 was reintroduced as part of New Avengers 2099.
Powers
Hulk 2099 has displayed most of the powers the normal Hulk (of Earth-616), has. Such as, Super strength up to around 150 tons. Similar to the Earth 616 Hulk, the 2099 one can grow stronger with his anger, however, despite this fact, unlike the original hulk, there is a certain limit to his amping ability, because he is in control of the hulk and can change at will, this would mean that he lacks that very same savagery the other hulks had. When Bruce Banner once took control of the hulk he was unable to gain limitless power, because he was a rational man, while hulk( Joe Fixit, World Breaker, Savage) have all managed to get angrier and an angrier with no sign of stopping. Therefore it’s safe to assume that while the 2099 hulk can amp himself, his strength cannot grow to limitless proportions. as well as Super speed, because of his muscles in his legs he is able to run at superhuman speeds and leap miles in a single bound with ease. Regeneration about on par with Wolverine. He also has razor sharp claws and fangs that can cut through steel and other metals. He also has a super-humanly strong tongue, like Venom or Toad. He also has incredible durability, like the Hulk of Earth-616 he can stand up to low and high caliber bullets and small missiles as well as extremely high and extremely low temperatures.
Characteristics
Height : 12′
Weight : 3000 lbs
Eyes : Blue (Eisenhart) , Red (Hulk 2099)
Hair : Blond (Eisenhart), Black (Hulk)
Strength Level : 150 tons, possibly more
Other media
Hulk 2099 was part of the Incredible Hulk Transformations line of action figures by Toy Biz in the late 90s.
