Welcome to the table,
When I was a kid, and we are talking single digits, one of the coolest comics I pulled from a spinner rack was Venom: Lethal Protector #1. It was this red shiny comic with a cardstock feeling cover and the looming monstrous entity preparing to strike. I read the issues countless times over my childhood, and still get excited when I see Aaron Meyers post one that he found for less than $5 or when I get a random eBay email that shows someone is selling a copy. It’s just one of those nostalgic books that reminds me why I loved heroes that were more monster than man as a kid.
Out from Marvel Comics, Extreme Venomverse #1 was released to coincide with the 35th Anniversary of the character’s introduction into the Marvel universe.
Kicking off the Summer of Symbiotes, a season-long celebration of all things symbiote, Extreme Vennomverse #1 showcases three unique stories from talented teams who bring their own spins on iconic moments and characters
The first story in this issue is titled The Best Part of Him and follows Eddie Brock as he and the Symbiote clash with some classic Spider-Man villains. Writer Ryan North, along with penciler Paulo Siqueira, inker JP Mayer, and colorist Federico Blee craft a tale that shows a Venom whose symbiote retains the heroic nature of Peter Parker with a tooth-and-nail edge. It leads into the events of Death of the Venomverse and will clearly have ramifications down the line in this big summer event.
The second tale, titled All in the Family, focuses on Eddie Brock’s son Dylan. Written by Mirka Andolfo with art by Mico Leon and colors by Erick Arciniega this offering has a ton of action showing Dylan suited up in a Symbiote, clashing with his dad, and ending on a strangely sweet note. If you are a fan of things like Ben 10 or the Spider-Man cartoon from a few years back this story is going to be right up your alley.
The third story, Tip of the Blade, focuses on a Samurai version of Venom. Written and penciled by Leonardo Romero with inks from Roberto Poggi and colors by Ruth Redmond the concept here feels really fresh reminding me of the Kaar Andrews Spider-Man from the Marvel Mangaverse that came out longer ago than I care to think about.
It’s a fun take on the Venom character and lays some groundwork for an alternate-universe setting that I would love to see more of. The art is not as fun or fluid as the Mangaverse offering and feels stiff more than not. It’s not bad by any stretch but there is a certain fluidity that I enjoy about web slingers and this seems to thunk more than thwip if you know what I mean.
As far as collections of short stories from strange settings go, Extreme Vennomverse #1 does a great job of showing how diverse the symbiotic antihero can be. I for one can’t wait to see what weird wonders these talented teams will weave us in the next installment
Until next time, that underground city in the 1993 Venom: Lethal Protector #1 still fascinates me to this day. So many unanswered questions that could be explored… someday maybe.
Welcome to the table, When I was a kid, and we are talking single digits, one of the coolest comicsCOMICONRead More