MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Venom #12 REVIEW

Sometimes, I am surprised that the Marvel creative team did not just name this comic book series “Venoms” in the plural form, because that is exactly what we are getting from this story. Not only are father and son versions of Venom being featured, but Eddie has actually discovered that he is all the Kings in Black, all throughout time, and this includes Meridius. So, throughout all the lifetimes, we as readers now know that Eddie has been at the center of the symbiote hive ever since, and he will forever be that way. Stories like this one sometimes have a tendency to go a little overboard, causing itself to get a little too crazy, but this team behind this current volume are experts at keeping the story, conflict, and characters grounded as much as possible, despite the mind-bending shockers and twists.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

October 26, 2022

Writer:

Ram. V.

Penciler:

Bryan Hitch

Cover Artist:

Bryan Hitch

Venomworld Continues! After the shocking events of Venom #11, not only is Dylan Brock’s physical body in such grave condition that it may never recover, but his codex is as well. After a Hail Mary decision made by the Venom symbiote last issue, Dylan is about to see sides of symbiosis, the Klyntar and perhaps even his father that he has never even imagined!

PROS:

• The book opens up with a beautiful take on a traditional father and son tale. Dylan ends up asking his father the hard questions. Why did Eddie leave him? Will Eddie save him? What is he supposed to do and what does it mean to be Venom? But sadly, Eddie did not provide any concrete answers. But, he made a very good point when he explained to his son that sometimes the best answers are the ones that we discover for ourselves. And, ultimately, he heavily suggested that perhaps it is not Dylan who needs saving… it’s actually the father who needs to be rescued. This type of vulnerability coming from a father, expressed to his son, breaks the hard shell that Venom usually puts around himself. This brings up and stirs a lot of emotions that any dad or son can relate to, when reading this book.
• The art in this book has been top-notch, and Bryan Hitch is still as good as he ever was. He always has a way of perfectly blending realism with comic book art, and this title is no different. The action scenes are just a beauty to read over and over again. And the internal conflicts that the main characters are enduring strike me, as a reader, very powerfully. It just feels like the pages of this comic book are ready anytime to jump onto the big or small screen.

CONS:

• The extraction scene of Dylan was decent, but I still have yet to feel a strong connection with these supporting characters. They’re pretty good at what they do, and they are considerably powerful and dangerous, but I guess we have to wait for a few more issues to really see them shine as relatable and likeable characters.

FINAL GRADE: A

It has already been a whole year’s worth of storytelling for this new series or volume of Venom. We are finally getting to see Dylan shine in his new role as the central character. Also, towards the end of the issue, Dylan, along with the readers, begin to unravel the deeper and more mysterious background of his existence. True enough, he is more than just a son of Eddie, and is way more than just another Venom. The next few issues promise to be major bangers as we learn more about the existence of Dylan, and what it means for the rest of the Marvel Universe. On top of that, Eddie will also continue to learn about his place in all of reality, as the King in Black in all lifetimes. But, as always, at the very core of this book is the father and son dynamic between Eddie and Dylan. Time will tell if they will be able to save themselves from the external threats and dangers, as well as rescue each other from themselves. I am definitely looking forward to more Venom from this creative and editorial team in the near future.

What did you think about the big reveal in the end?