Apr 27, 2012

venom 17 preview

Preview of Venom 17
Check out a couple of preview pages from next week's Venom:
Venom 17 Cover


With Venom AND Brock both able to sneak around in the rafters, I think it is time for Crime Master to invest in better security.  Venom 17 comes out May 2nd.

Apr 24, 2012

punisher in space with symbiotes

Space Punisher
I had a lot of readers notify me that a group of symbiotres will be in the first issue of Space Punisher, so I figured I better post the page:

We also have symbiotes showing up on Earth in Captain America and Hawkeye #629:

Could this be the "summer's secret symbiote event" the solicitation for Carnage USA #5 was alluding to?  I think it is more likely that the Savage Six event will lead into the event which will pave way for Minimum Carnage.  Will you be picking up either issue strictly for the symbiotes?

Apr 21, 2012

REVIEW: carnage usa

The Story:
Shortly after the events of Carnage, Kasady takes over a small town in Colorado.  With the entire town being held hostage, Spider-Man and the Avengers are brought in to subdue the psychopath.  When the Avengers are taken over, it is up to Venom, Scorn, and a new team of symbiotes to stop Carnage.

The Good:
Carnage - He is a bad dude; plain and simple.  There is not one redeeming quality about this guy and that is what makes him a great villain.  From the beginning and the way he torments the townspeople to his last stand with Flash, you know that he will  never become more than a sadistic killer.  As far as I know, he is the only Spidey villain like this and Zeb Wells writes him perfectly.  The Other Symbiotes - I doubt there was a Venom/Symbiote fan alive that didn't see the last panel of issue 1 (the list of the government's special task force) that didn't instantly get pumped for the rest of the series.  Then to actually bring back and reintroduce the symbiotes in Mercury Team or to further establish Scorn - it was simply amazing!  To top it off, we get a 90's style showdown with Agent Venom vs Carnage followed up by Flash vs Kasady.  While it may of posed more questions than it answered (What happened to Hybrid? Whats Venom's role with the Secret Avengers?), I'm sure everything will become clear in due time.

The Bad:
Spider-Man - I feel like this guy is always included in 'the bad' section of my reviews.  Seriously, Venom has a gun in a serial killers mouth and Spidey feels the need to stop him from shooting?  I think the entire Marvel Universe knows of Carnage now, do we really need Spider-Man popping up in every story?  There are tons of other heroes that I would love to see take on Kasady.  The Ending - It was kind of lack luster for me.  With the twists and surprise endings the last series brought (as well as certain issues in this series) I was expecting a cliff hanger that would make me want more.  While the story wrapped up nicely, it also seemed rushed towards the end.  If it wasn't for the knowledge that 'Minimum Carnage' was coming in a couple months, I would be worried that Carnage (and the other symbiotes) would be in for a long hiatus again.

The Overall:
3.5 outta 5.  I like this series, but not as much as the previous mini.  The creation of Mercury Team was the high point for me.  While I will always be a fan of Crain's art, I can see why some criticize it (faces all look very similar, the art is dark a lot of time, white/empty space is overused).  I am fine with these five part minis coming out once a year, but does anyone else want to see Carnage get the mini series treatment Venom did back in the 90s?

Apr 18, 2012

TALK ABOUT: venom 16

Venom 16
The much anticipated 'Savage Six' starts next month.  Until then we get a Venom brawl with The Human Fly and Hobgoblin.  What did you think of this issue?

On a side note, I noticed that the letters page - Symbiowrote - has been weak the last couple issues.  Lets try to bulk it up for next month.  Email  your love for Venom to spideyoffice@marvel.com (mark okay to print).  Let me just say, I am in NO WAY associated with Marvel - I'm just a fan who wants to see the Venom letters span a couple pages like in the "Eddie's Clubhouse" days!

Now on with the book club discussion...

Apr 14, 2012

venom news from c2e2 2012

MINIMUM CARNAGE ANNOUNCED
I've been tweeting these, but in case you don't follow I figured I would post the collection of news bits from the Amazing Spider-Man panel at this years C2E2:







  • "If you like seeing Flash Thompson's life suck, I urge you to read this." - Remender (referring to Savage Six arc)
  • "We see a huge change in the life of Eddie Brock."
  • "Eddie Brock is cleansing the planet of Symbiotes, and he very well COULD be crazy." - Remender
  • Minimum Carnage:

Apr 13, 2012

july 2012 preview

July 2012
Venom 20
Venom 20 and 21 Synopsis:
Toxin vs. Venom! Flash Thompson’s Last Stand! The Crime-Master Triumphant! – It’s the Savage Six Finale the comics world will be talking about! CRIME MASTER’S IDENTITY IS REVEALED – and Flash Thompson and Betty Brant’s lives will never be the same!
Venom 21
Secret Avengers 29
To prevent a death the Secret Avengers must risk starting a war! A secret romance heats up! A rivalry between two members threatens to jeopardize the mission! Will Hawkeye discover he has a spy on his team in time to prevent tragedy?

Spider-Men 3
The ULTIMATE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EVENT OF THE YEAR!
Can both Peter Parker and Miles Morales defeat CLASSIFIED
Guest starring Nick Fury and the Ultimates!

venom 16 preview

Venom 16 Preview Pages
Venom 16 comes out on Wednesday:

Cover



More (unletterred) previews can be see here and here.


Apr 11, 2012

TALK ABOUT: carnage usa 5

Talk About Carnage USA 5

The second Carnage mini wraps up with issue #5.  How did you like the conclusion?
My official review of the series will be up in a couple days, after I have had time to digest the story.

Apr 9, 2012

carnage usa 5 preview

Preview of Carnage USA 5
Remember those preview pages that were released days ago?  Well I'm finally getting around to posting them.  Here they are in case you missed them:


Sorry for the delay.

Apr 5, 2012

venom 17 variant cover

Venom 17 Cover

Hmmm...I'm not sure what to make of this.  It looks cool though!

Apr 4, 2012

TALK ABOUT: venom 15

Venom 15

While we didn't get a single shot of Venom (besides the cover), this issue was a turning point for a lot of characters!  How do you feel about where things are going in this series?

I am also setting up a discussion board on the Reddit forums in an attempt to recruit new members to our monthly book club.  Take a look and let me know which format you prefer.  I'll run them parallel for awhile before deciding on one.  Thanks!