VENOM (2018) issues #1-5 review
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Venom (2018) is the latest run of the eponymous antivillain, published as always by Marvel (until IDW gets the license for that too). It's written by Donny Cates and illustrated by Ryan Stegman (of Scarlet Spider "fame"), and part of Marvel's Fresh Start initiative. As a lover of this creative team I was anticipating this particular title more than any other relaunch as I figured it was the perfect match. And you know what? I was right. Venom thus far has been a cracking good time.
Ryan Stegman certainly has a very traditional aesthetic when it comes to Marvel comics. That isn't a swipe at all -- at least not in my mind -- though before I say the next bit: your mileage may vary, etc., etc.. I think this is a brilliant title in the visuals department. The new character designs are suitably badass. There are lots of blacks and reds, so it really pops and is nicely thematic. Kudos to JP Mayer (the series inker) and Frank Martin (the colorist), who kick major ass on this book. Rounding out the ocular side of things, the lettering, panel layout, and sequential reading flow are all slick as can be.
But Venom wouldn't be Marvel's best ongoing title now, were it just for the art. Like any truly special comic, both the scribblings and the scribings must work in tandem. And more so than any other superhero comic I've read on stands in recent memory, Venom pairs its creative team to perfect synergy. But let's quit beating around the bush: writing wise, this has some proper atmospheric and enigmatic feels to it. The narration is on-point, and the dialogue can shift between naturalistic and epic storytelling really nicely. The scope is suitably grandiose, but the narrative still manages to work in the urban setting incredibly well. While #4 can be steeped in exposition for some, I personally found the backstory told to be enthralling enough that it wasn't much of an issue.
What's really going to turn heads, however, is the way in which it reworks, expands, and evolves on the main character's mythos. Retcons and the like are nothing new to the medium of comics, especially the massive collaborative storytelling of the Big Two, but they can work when it feels like things are being added to the character instead of being taken away. A good touchstone for this could be Mark Waid's work on The Flash, which introduced concepts that are now considered part of the character's DNA -- such as the Speed Force. While things are taken away in this particular series, so much more has been added to the lore of Venom and the symbiotes that I don't think most folks will be angered by the changes. And it doesn't hurt that I think these updates are excellent redefinitions and additions just generally speaking.
The new powers are extraordinarily wicked too.
Venom right now is a superhero comic that's killing it. This is the kind of comic I'd point to and say "Yeah, this is mostly what I love seeing in superhero comics". Not necessarily things in this exact same grimy mold, but stories that are trailblazers. And I hope it continues to be a monthly obsession for people. Issues 1-5 of Venom (2018) get a 9.5/10.
Must-read
Summary:
Gorgeous art. Phenomenal additions to the lore of Venom, fantastic set-up. Well written, lots of intrigue. Beautiful presentation quality. My greatest request would be for someone to keep Devin Lewis far, far away from the letters page.
-Melody Werner (Twitter=>https://twitter.com/TheRealestMW)
(originally posted: 8/22/2018)
Venom (2018) is the latest run of the eponymous antivillain, published as always by Marvel (until IDW gets the license for that too). It's written by Donny Cates and illustrated by Ryan Stegman (of Scarlet Spider "fame"), and part of Marvel's Fresh Start initiative. As a lover of this creative team I was anticipating this particular title more than any other relaunch as I figured it was the perfect match. And you know what? I was right. Venom thus far has been a cracking good time.
Ryan Stegman certainly has a very traditional aesthetic when it comes to Marvel comics. That isn't a swipe at all -- at least not in my mind -- though before I say the next bit: your mileage may vary, etc., etc.. I think this is a brilliant title in the visuals department. The new character designs are suitably badass. There are lots of blacks and reds, so it really pops and is nicely thematic. Kudos to JP Mayer (the series inker) and Frank Martin (the colorist), who kick major ass on this book. Rounding out the ocular side of things, the lettering, panel layout, and sequential reading flow are all slick as can be.
But Venom wouldn't be Marvel's best ongoing title now, were it just for the art. Like any truly special comic, both the scribblings and the scribings must work in tandem. And more so than any other superhero comic I've read on stands in recent memory, Venom pairs its creative team to perfect synergy. But let's quit beating around the bush: writing wise, this has some proper atmospheric and enigmatic feels to it. The narration is on-point, and the dialogue can shift between naturalistic and epic storytelling really nicely. The scope is suitably grandiose, but the narrative still manages to work in the urban setting incredibly well. While #4 can be steeped in exposition for some, I personally found the backstory told to be enthralling enough that it wasn't much of an issue.
What's really going to turn heads, however, is the way in which it reworks, expands, and evolves on the main character's mythos. Retcons and the like are nothing new to the medium of comics, especially the massive collaborative storytelling of the Big Two, but they can work when it feels like things are being added to the character instead of being taken away. A good touchstone for this could be Mark Waid's work on The Flash, which introduced concepts that are now considered part of the character's DNA -- such as the Speed Force. While things are taken away in this particular series, so much more has been added to the lore of Venom and the symbiotes that I don't think most folks will be angered by the changes. And it doesn't hurt that I think these updates are excellent redefinitions and additions just generally speaking.
The new powers are extraordinarily wicked too.
Venom right now is a superhero comic that's killing it. This is the kind of comic I'd point to and say "Yeah, this is mostly what I love seeing in superhero comics". Not necessarily things in this exact same grimy mold, but stories that are trailblazers. And I hope it continues to be a monthly obsession for people. Issues 1-5 of Venom (2018) get a 9.5/10.
Must-read
Summary:
Gorgeous art. Phenomenal additions to the lore of Venom, fantastic set-up. Well written, lots of intrigue. Beautiful presentation quality. My greatest request would be for someone to keep Devin Lewis far, far away from the letters page.
-Melody Werner (Twitter=>https://twitter.com/TheRealestMW)
(originally posted: 8/22/2018)
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