REVIEW: venom 23-25

Cullen Bunn's first Venom arc, Monsters of Evil, concluded a little over a week ago and the event of the fall, Minimum Carnage, begins in little under a week.  So I figured it was a good time to squeeze in a quick review of Monsters of Evil.


The Story: Venom is on a recon mission for the Secret Avengers.  While investigating The Department of Occult Armaments, he crosses paths with Damian Hellstrom.

The Good: Art - Thony Silas has some fantastic visuals in all three issues.  From the look of Agent Venom, to the demon possessed Venom, to the Monsters of Evil themselves.  I really enjoyed the different style he used when Flash was reminiscing about his high school days or when Hellstrom explains 'the decent' to Venom.  Katy Kiernan - I think she be a much better asset to Venom's stories than Betty Brandt was.

The Bad: The Monsters of Evil - They seemed a bit cheesy.  I found the idea intriguing (huge demonic beasts terrorizing Venom), I just don't think they were executed properly.  It was also a missed opportunity to have Venom rage and really go up against these baddies.  Hellstrom - I'm just not a fan.  It is also disappointing that he will be around for quite some time mentoring Venom.

The Overall: 3 outta 5.  I did like this arc, I just didn't love it.  It was a great follow-up to Circle of Four, but I feel like it was just here to bridge the gap between Remender's departure and Minimum Carnage.  It probably wouldn't of felt so rushed if Bunn had more issues to work with.

thunderbolts 5 variant

Thunderbolts #5

The first five variant covers for Marvel NOW's Thunderbolts showcases one of the members and issue #5 is Venom:

Are you digging Venom's new red symbol?

If my calculations are correct, issue 5 is due out next April.

[Thanks to OrionSTARB0Y for the tip]

minimum carnage alpha preview

First Look at Minimum Carnage

A few unlettered pages from next week's Minimum Carnage alpha:

Let the countdown begin - T-Minus 7 days until the return of Carnage!

[Thanks to Drax207 for the tip]

minimum carnage sketch

Scarlet Spider 22 sketch

A sketch from Minimum Carnage tweeted by Marvel editor Tom Brennan this past weekend:

Any Venom fans who are also Scarlet Spider fans that are doubly excited for this crossover?

minimum carnage previews

Minimum Carnage is Coming...

A few pages from next month's Minimum Carnage arc featuring Venom and Scarlet Spider:

How excited are you for the return of Carnage?  

secret avengers 31 preview

Venom in S.A. 31

Venom's membership with The Secret Avengers continues in issue 31 coming out next week:

december 2012 previews

December 2012

Venom 28
12/19

VENOM’S BRINGING HIS GAME TO THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE!
• A rash of sudden disappearances bring Flash Thompson and Katy Keirnan to Philadelphia – what do the U-Foes have to do with it?!
• Thony Silas returns to Venom as he and Cullen Bunn give the world’s most dangerous hero a new home!

Thunderbolts 1 & 2
12/05 & 12/19
Red Hulk, Venom, Elektra, Deadpool, the Punisher. Forget the courts, the jails, the system — this team of Thunderbolts fights fire with fire, targeting the most dangerous and lethal players in the Marvel Universe with extreme prejudice. Led by General “Thunderbolt” Ross, AKA the Red Hulk, this hand-picked team of like-minded operatives is going to make the world a better place…by all means necessary.

Secret Avengers 35
12/19
• Contagious Robotic Evolution is go and the remaining Secret Avengers are the only ones left! But how do you stop a plague that has already begun to spread?
• Torch, Venom and Valkyrie infiltrate the rebel robot base In The Core, but are Lord UltraVision and Monarch Machine Man friend or foe?
• Torch must choose between mankind and the perfect future Father will create for all automatons

Captain America & Black Widow 640
12/19
• FINALE ISSUE! GET READY TO HAVE YOUR FACES PUNCHED CLEAN OFF!
• Captain America and Black Widow lead the multiverse’s finest in a final assault on Venemma Multiversal!
• Black Widow vs. Black Widow...to the death!
• Forget 11…on a scale of 1 to AWESOME this eye-popping, senses-snapping, jaw-dropping final issue goes to 12!

TALK ABOUT: venom 25

Talk About Venom 25

Do you like Venom's new direction and new supporting cast?  Sound off in the comments!

venom 25 preview

Venom 25

The final installment of Cullen Bunn's first solo arc, The Monsters of Evil, wraps up tomorrow in Venom #25:

Are you looking forward to the conclusion of Monsters of Evil or are you more excited to see the symbiote answer your questions?

secret avengers 31 sketches

Venom Sketches

Secret Avengers artist, Matteo Scalera, posted some preview sketches from Secret Avengers 31. Here are the pages featuring Venom:

Do you want Venom to continue working with The Secret Avengers after he joins the Thunderbolts in December?

Secret Avengers 31 comes out September 26th.

venom joins the thunderbolts...again

Venom: The Thunderbolt

Marvel announced earlier today that starting in December Venom will be a Thunderbolt once more!  The team will be led by Red Hulk and The Punisher, Deadpool, and Electra will be joining Venom to round out the team.  The new series will be written by Daniel Way.  You might remember him as the author of Venom's first ongoing series.

Daniel Way: Without giving away too much—because it’s the basis of the first issue—this team is brought together through a common desire and that, essentially, is to make a bigger impact. In this regard, teaming with Red Hulk seems like the smartest move to make, right?

Below is the cover of the first issue:

With Remender's Secret Avengers run ending in December, is it safe to assume that The Thunderbolts will be Venom's only team?    I have to say the roster has me intrigued.  I like Venom's interactions with Rulk during Circle of Four and him and Deadpool could make for some great action scenes.  I'm not sure how Punisher will react to working along side the symbiote and I never read Electra so I do not know what to expect there.  Overall, while I'm not thrilled that he will be joining another team, I am definitely excited to see where this series takes him.  Are you excited about Venom joining another team?  Do you think this is a good move for our beloved character?

[Thanks to everyone who notified me of this news]

'new' ultimate venom coming

A New Ultimate Venom?

A couple hours ago, CBR interviewed Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Bendis about where Mile Morales would be heading in future issues.  Among these teasers was the confirmation that Ultimate Venom would return, but what was revealed in today's Marvel interview with him is that it might not be Eddie Brock:

After that, starting in our very cool ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #16.1, an issue that David Marquez is drawing, we’re going to be introduced to a brand new Ultimate Venom. That’ll lead into issue #19 which will be the return of [artist] Sara Pichelli to ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN and it’ll be a big Miles vs. the Symbiote issue. The first very big Spider-Man villain that Miles has had to deal with.

How do you feel about Eddie Brock Jr. getting the same treatment as his 616 counterpart and no longer being Venom?  Would rebooting Ultimate Venom get you more excited about this universe?

[Thanks to Bizarnage for the tip]

TALK ABOUT: venom 24

Talk About Venom 24

What do you think of Hellstrom and his Monsters of Evil?

ultimate venom set to return

Ultimate Venom will meet Miles Morales

 

Fans of Ultimate Venom get some great news in today's CBR interview with Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Bendis:


"We're debuting a new Venom story line for Miles, and issue #16.1 is our big prelude to that story. So in the grand tradition of a Point One it's certainly an excellent hopping on point. It sets up everything about Miles and big mysteries about what's going on with Venom and stuff like that," Bendis remarked. "If you've been following 'Ultimate Spider-Man' this whole time and know the whole Venom story you're good to go and here's a new chapter in it. And if you don't know anything you're just like Miles, so you're in good hands."
 

Are you excited for Venom's return in the Ultimate Universe?  Or are you more excited for someone named Eddie Brock wearing the Venom symbiote again?
Personally, I am a big fan of UV.  Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 16.1 comes out next month.

more on venom's move to philly

Marvel Interviews Bunn

Marvel.com's interview with Cullen Bunn gives us a little more information about Venom's move to PA:

Venom will be clashing with some foes who are definitely not street-level. Not long after he settles in, Venom will find he’s not the only vigilante in the area. His “competition” will be somewhat shocking to him. 

One of his first adventures in the city has ties to one of the region’s oldest urban legends: Project Rainbow, or the infamous Philadelphia Experiment. While this event is largely considered a hoax, Venom will learn that the conspiracy theorists may be onto something. The truth, of course, proves to be more potentially dangerous than anyone suspects—especially when a group of four strange and strangely powerful villains get involved. 

Even though he’s getting a fresh start in Philly, Venom will soon be running into a familiar face. It will not be a pleasant encounter at all, because his relationship with this individual is toxic to say the least.

 I am liking everything I hear about this move.  Now that you've had a day to digest it, what are your thoughts?

Side note, I am really liking how the covers of Bunn's arcs are similiar.  Monsters of Evil has a shot of Venom on the right with demon on the left.  This arc that has him moving to Philly, has a flying Venom shooting guns (issues 27 and 28).  I'm a fan of consistence.

mind bomb blog

Mind Bomb

To help fill some of the down time between posts, I've recruited TVS veteran Bizarnage to start a Venom related blog - Mind Bomb.  You might have seen some of him comments here on TVS or laughed at one of his many rants on Twitter.  Love him or hate him, you can't deny his love of symbiotes.  So to help create more discussions (that current topics I post wouldn't stir up) he will be making weekly posts about anything that is on his mind regarding symbiotes.  It should be a great forum for discussions and ideas that may get you thinking differently about the world of Venom.  

So look for the most recent updates to appear on the left sidebar or you can visit his site by clicking the blog button on the top.  Also, if this is successful I would love to start more blogs or columns with other symbiote fans!

bunn talks about venom's move to philly

Bunn Talks Venom and Philly

With the news breaking earlier today that Venom will be moving to Philly in December, the Twitter-verse and comic book blogs have been quite abuzz!  CBR has an interview with writer Cullen Bunn about this new chapter in Venom's history:

We know that a lot of the turmoil Flash went through because of his experiences with the villainous Crime-Master will factor into his decision to relocate, but will the events of this current story line impact his choice as well? Flash is pretty rattled after Crime-Master's attack on his family. He's treading water but sinking fast. The events of "Monsters of Evil" and "Minimum Carnage" will play a pretty significant role in his decision, though. Flash is already worried about the day the Venom symbiote begins reasserting itself, but his experiences with Carnage are only going to make that fear more poignant for him. And he's going to find himself saddled with an even more disturbing burden.

When exactly does Flash decide to move and why does he choose Philadelphia? Flash comes to the decision that he needs a change of pace during issue #27.1. In that issue, Flash faces the harsh reality of how his actions have impacted those around him. At the same time, he realizes he's spinning out of control to some degree. He's not sleeping. He's on edge. He can see something bad on the horizon. And guilt is absolutely crushing him. He's looking for anything to shake up his routine and help him start fresh -- something he doesn't believe he can do in New York City. Philadelphia isn't his first choice. He first visits the city in order to help his ally Katy Kiernan. Katy's snooping has gotten her into a great deal of trouble. While Venom isn't the ideal person to help her -- especially not against the threat she's facing -- she doesn't have anyone else. Venom's foray into Philly opens his eyes to the possibility of setting up shop as a local hero. This is his chance to help people who don't currently have a hero of their own. For various reasons, he'll need to work behind the scenes. He can't be a "public" hero.

What kind of role will Flash play in the city of Brotherly Love? Is this just a home for him when he's not on his international adventures, or will Flash become an adventurer more like the Scarlet Spider and serve as Philly's protector and hero? While Venom's adventures will take him outside of Philadelphia from time to time, the last thing I want is for a city with so much character to become nothing more than a place to crash between adventures. Venom will most certainly be spending a great deal of time in Philly. He'll become that city's hero. Unlike the Scarlet Spider in Houston, though, he'll need to be a little more secretive. He will not be a hero in the spotlight. He'll become something of an urban legend. But he's not the only urban legend in town. One of his greatest challenges will come from another character who is lurking in the shadows.

What else can you tell us about the initial feel of Flash's new city in "Venom?" Will he have lots of crime to contend with? What about weirder and more fantastic situations? Does Philly have an active community of super powered heroes and villains? Venom will deal with some mundane crime, yes, but from the get-go he'll be tackling some pretty bizarre situations. His first experience in Philly involves the legend of the Philadelphia Experiment, and it will put him into conflict with some extremely powerful villains. Philadelphia doesn't necessarily have a big community of villains, but that's something that might begin to change--and it will be Venom's presence that starts the ball rolling. When I look at the history of Flash Thompson, I realize that the guy is a huge weirdness magnet. That's something I hope to continue to build upon.

We imagine one of the fun elements of moving a character to a new locale is the chance to introduce a new supporting cast. Can you offer up any hints or teases about the people Flash will meet when he moves to Philly? Will any of his current supporting cast still be part of his life after he moves? Flash will be getting a day job in Philadelphia, so we'll be meeting a new group of people he'll be interacting with. He'll also be meeting some new contacts and resources that will be -- odd to him to say the least. In addition, some new groups will be taking shape in Philly. Some will be working with him -- and some will be working against him. Katy Kiernan will be visiting Philly quite a bit. She'll continue to play a significant role in his adventures. Daimon Hellstrom, too, will still be involved with Venom to some degree. And you might see some others, like Valkyrie, visiting Philadelphia from time to time. I think this move will really open the story up to a lot of possibilities. Every time I think about it, some new Philly-based story element, character, or event pops into my head. It should be an exciting time. This will be a new chapter in Venom's life, but long-time "Venom" fans will be seeing some stuff that will really get their blood pumping.

...long-time "Venom" fans will be seeing some stuff that will really get their blood pumping.  Are you getting excited?

You can also check out Newsarama for another interview (no new info thought).

venom moves to philly

Venom relocates to Philadelphia

In what might be the best Venom news I've heard since it was announced that he was getting his own ongoing series again, Philly.com reports that Venom will be moving out of the Big Apple and into The City of Brotherly Love!  Living a mere hour away from Philly, this news really hits home! 

...he's [Flash] trying to do the right thing. He's reassessing what it means to be a hero. And he's looking for a fresh start," said Bunn. "This means a lot of things for Flash. He's surrounding himself with new people , such as tabloid journalist Katy Kiernan and his new love interest, the Asgardian Valkyrie. He's changing his approach to being a superhero. And he's looking for a change of scenery." That's where Philly comes in, said Brennan, starting Dec. 19 in "Venom" No. 28 in comic shops and digitally, too. 

Bunn said the city will be part of Venom's growth, expanding as he does, too. "I've always liked that Marvel superheroes are adventuring in the `real' world. Certainly, there will be some fictional elements popping up in stories, but I'll try to keep it as grounded in the actual city as possible," he said. "It's time Philly gets a little Marvel Universe face-time. Local landmarks, neighborhoods, legends, and history will play a role in the book." As for Flash, Philly won't be easy, either. "We're not just moving Venom to Philly in hopes of getting free hoagies, though we'll take them. Flash Thompson has been on an emotional roller coaster. His superhero career almost cost him everything," said Brennan. "This is a good man with a troubled past who needed a fresh start, and thought the City of Brotherly Love was the perfect place for him to take his next steps in becoming the hero he was born to be." 

We also get a peek at the issue (#28) that will start Venom's new beginning:

Prepare for some bias reviews and comments starting in December! 

Anyone else excited to see Venom (who looks to be sporting a more classic look on the cover) move out of The City That Never Sleeps?