MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Venom #24 REVIEW

It really is such a wonder and joy to see Eddie Brock cement himself as the A-Side, joining the big leagues, and gaining the respect of the world’s most powerful and intelligent players. Venom is soon going to star in the upcoming Playstation 5 video game, and now is the best time to jump on the mainline series to see what our King in Black is up to… and right now, it all spells DOOM. On a personal note, I have always considered Doctor Doom to be one of the greatest Marvel villains, if not the GOAT, and it’s not just because of his power or intelligence. Doctor Doom has an aura like no other, and his imposing and threatening presence can make anybody facing off with him feel like a little mouse going up against a lion. So, in this issue, we truly see Eddie Brock peaking in the mainstream, as he stands and bangs with Marvel’s ultimate baddie.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

August 23, 2023

Writer:

Jonathan Hickman, Al Ewing

Penciler:

Sergio Davila

Cover Artist:

Bryan Hitch

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM! Doctor Doom is the most notorious and ambitious super villain in the Marvel Universe – but he’s got something Eddie Brock needs. WHAT COULD IT BE?! And what calamitous circumstance will befall both Doom and Eddie? The ambitious and explosive symbiote saga from Al Ewing welcomes guest artist SERGIO DÁVILA! Together, these two creators are going to take Eddie Brock on an adventure that will have symbiote fans talking for YEARS to come! PLUS: A bonus page written by Jonathan Hickman – WHO ARE THE G.O.D.S.?

PROS:

• I could not help but stand up and give Eddie Brock a round of applause when Doctor Doom showed him the utmost respect by honoring him as a fellow king who earned the title. While Doom still can’t stop himself from throwing little snide remarks and jabs toward Eddie Brock, every now and then, you instantly feel that the two are now standing on equal ground.
• It was heartwarming to read Doom give serious advice to his fellow king. Doom was trying to convince Brock that he should focus on going back to his son, but of course, the precise reason Brock wants a time machine is to prevent himself from being a threat to Dylan. It’s just nice to know that even villains, or anti-heroes, like Doom, have a soft spot for underdog heroes like Eddie Brock. It shows that no matter how bad things may be, there will always be somebody willing to lend a helping hand or share some words of wisdom. It’s just too bad that Eddie Brock wants to steal his new friend’s time machine.
• If you’ve read some of my past reviews, you know how much I adore huge, fantastic, action-packed sequences. The fight in this issue between Doom and Brock was a pleasure to experience, and I find myself just returning over and over again to the panels and pages. The art team did a great job with this installment, and it’ll be even more fun seeing Brock and Doom work together after they get lost in time somehow, because of Brock’s stubbornness.
• It was immensely satisfying to see Eddie Brock easily dismantle the robot soldiers of Doctor Doom. It was even more hilarious seeing the robot servants try to explain and beg for forgiveness from their master. It’s really a ‘no-win’ situation, anyway, since Doctor Doom can never be wrong, right?

CONS:

• As with the recent chapters, the only problem I see with these Venom issues is that it keeps on jumping from the perspective of Dylan to the adventures of Eddie Brock. Sometimes, it can be jarring as reader, going back-and-forth from one major protagonist to the other.

FINAL GRADE: A

This truly is the year of Venom, because it just feels that most, if not all, Spider-Man stories are somehow heavily tied into the perilous journey of Eddie Brock. We are blessed to see the real People’s Main Event, as Doctor Doom and Eddie Brock clash, but this only builds the anticipation up even more for the looming threat of Carnage, just around the corner. I know it’s a lot of comic books to keep track of, but ultimately, it is worth it to monitor all the happenings when it comes to our symbiotic friends.