MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Venom #23 REVIEW

Personally, I am counting down every single day as we approach the next Spider-Man video game on Playstation 5. Not only will we get to play as both Peter Parker AND Miles Morales, but we also get to take a deep dive into yet another exciting Venom story. Not too much has been revealed about this version of Venom, but that doesn’t change the fact that fans are hyped and impatient. And, while we have to wait a few more months before the game’s release, at least we have a load of symbiote comic books to keep us entertained in the meantime. And the flagship Venom title right now is firing on all cylinders, giving us fascinating adventures, featuring not only the original Venom, but also his son, Dylan Brock. And, this past week, we got to see the young Venom team up with Toxin, starting a friendship that is seemingly written in the stars and simply destined to happen.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMIC BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Published:

July 26, 2023

Writer:

Torunn Gronbekk

Penciler:

Ken Lashley

Cover Artist:

Bryan Hitch

A NEW VISION OF TOXIN! Toxin is the offspring of the most dangerous symbiote in the history of the Marvel Universe: CARNAGE. But while Carnage and Cletus Kasady are separated and both devising machinations and plans of cosmic bloodshed and conquest, what has its progeny been doing? And will Dylan Brock or the Venom symbiote survive when they come face to face with this latest terrifying Toxin?! PLUS: Toxin isn’t the only symbiote in this story who’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen! The symbiote family is about to grow a little larger… and what’s coming will change the continuing saga of the symbiotes FOREVER!

PROS:

• It is always a joy when two young superheroes cross paths, at first butting heads, and then eventually realizing that they actually have so much in common. And, this is what we got with the recent Venom issue, where our titular character was able to bond with Toxin. Both young boys realized that they have similar struggles, goals, dreams and histories. They both somewhat have to live on with the sins of their fathers, but at the same time, they each have to carry on their dads’ legacies as well, while simultaneously living in their shadows.
• The art in this issue was phenomenal, as both Venom and Toxin just looked so real and so gritty. It felt like both characters were just popping off the pages of the comic book this time around. When they were able to enter the lair of their new nemesis, the environment felt chilly, cold and filled with despair. The children that were kidnapped, and brutally held prisoner by the mysterious captor, truly looked afraid and empty.
• The whole angle of Alchemax solidifying its status as an overarching evil corporation is very appealing as a looming threat. And witnessing the different ripple effects that the company has on everybody’s lives, whether it be on our superhero protagonists or even just employees doing their jobs, is proof that darker days are ahead for the Marvel Universe and the Spider-Man family.

CONS:

• While it has been fun seeing more of the young Venom at work, it still feels a bit unclear how these little side-missions fit in with the bigger picture. We do know that he is looking for his father, who he has confirmed is alive, and we know that he is preparing for his dad’s return, along with whatever threats that may accompany him. But it might be more helpful to connect the dots quicker and more clearly.

FINAL GRADE: A

Marvel has always been excellent at creating new heroes, paving the way for the next generation of superstars. The company also has quite the knack for creating fresh, new and loveable friendships that can definitely grow into long-term partnerships in the future. I am sold on this dynamic duo of Venom and Toxin, and I surely want to see more of their adventures together. I know it can be a bit jarring seeing such youthful, tiny bare heads on top of very large and muscular bodies, thanks to their symbiotes, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two boys are still very young, impressionable, and vulnerable. It will be very satisfying to see them mature and grow into their roles as the next generation of world-saving symbiote soldiers.