Venom, Vol. 1

Venom (2011) (Collected Editions)

by Rick Remender (Writer), Tony Moore (Illustrator)

America...meet your newest Hero! The lethal alien symbiote known as Venom is in the custody of the U.S. military...and with a familiar face from Spider-Man's world inside the suit, the government's own personal Spidey is going into action as one of the nation's top covert agents in hostile territory!

Collecting: Venom 1-4

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Spider Man, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Rick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface, this has the makings of an interesting series: combine Flash Thompson; former Peter Parker bully; Spider-man fan, soldier who lost both legs in the Middle East; alcoholic and victim of an abusive, alcoholic father with Venom, mentally unstable, killer alien symbiote. The ground rules are: Thompson can only stay connected with Venom for two hours, if it goes any longer, he risks permanent bonding with the symbiote. If Thompson gets angry, he also risks the symbiote taking over. If during any of his black ops missions, the symbiote takes control, the government can press a fail-safe switch and it’s “Goodnight Irene” for both Thompson and the symbiote. The clock is always running.

The execution by Rick Remender and company doesn’t deliver. Even though you’re rooting for the likable Thompson to succeed, Venom as a lead character hasn’t worked before and it doesn’t here. Re-vamping Jack O’ Lantern as a Green Goblin wannabe or bringing in Kraven, both D-list villains fall flat. Remender’s take on Thompson’s family conflicts adds nothing new or compelling to a storyline I’ve seen many times before. The fail-safe clock doesn’t quite add the requisite dramatic tension because this is a comic and you know there’s always a way to work around it. Plus, Spider-Man vs. Venom- Round 134.

I don’t get the love for Remender, but maybe I’ve been reading the wrong comics. For a better take on the Venom/Thompson character see Charles Soule’s Thunderbolt’s run.

What’s to like

Venom and giant, supersonic bats – Venom’s weaknesses are fire and loud noise

At one point, Thompson breaks into a pharmacy and ingests massive quantities of sedatives to keep the symbiote from completely taking over.

Betty Brant

What’s not to like

The abusive non-nuanced alcoholic father

The art. Much action takes place in the dark, Venom is black, Yo! What just happened?

To a select few of my friends ( Shelby and Kelly they know who they are), Venom battles a villain called the Human Fly, Jeff Goldblum is name dropped as per his role in the movie, “The Fly”. Jeff Goldblum!?! Stay out of my comics, Goldblum!!!

Question: Do Vibranium bullets pierce Adamantium?

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flash Thompson lost both of his legs below the knee in the army, but the military isn't done with him yet. They have a special opportunity for Flash to do great things by simply wearing a suit. One problem though, the suit is the Venom suit. He can wear it for up to 48 hours and be a super powered hero.

If he wears it any longer than 48 hours or gives into his anger he becomes a more familiar Venom.


So this whole Agent Venom thing is all somewhat familiar. Flash has a Spider-Man vibe going on in that he can't tell his girlfriend Betty, who as you could imagine gets upset when he stands her up for hours or won't call her for days. He also has a Hulk feel to it because when he gets angry Venom takes over, so Flash's military boss orders him to meditate.

Despite the ingenious use of the Venom symbiote, I was having a hard time thinking of Flash as anything other than a slightly different government sponsored version of Spider-Man. It's OK, but I don't get excited to read something that's just OK.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read!

Flash becomes the new venom and we see him on missions from the govt and well he is fighting Jack-O-Lantern a lot in this volume and well we see him fight Kraven too in Savage Land and Flash struggling to keep the symbiote in control (he is on a mission in SL) and well when he does return home, he has to face off against Crime master and Jack-O-Lantern again to rescue his GF Betty and an interesting confrontation with Spider-man and we see Flash and his doubts about the symbiote and I love the psychological batles and tensions here and it makes for a heck of a story!

I love the face off between Flash and Peter wihtout either of them knowing the others secret identities and I love it and its so fun omg! The dynamic is awesome and I love how the writer also explores Flash's family problems and well give people something to relate to like with his army problem, fmaily situation and relationship with Betty. He is a man on a mission and it compromises so much at times. Its a really well done boook and is fast paced but also gut wrenching and beautifully illustrated.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I'm enjoying the adventures of Flash Thompson as Venom. The premise is the US Government has weaponized the Venom symbiote. They attach it to a hand picked soldier, in this case Flash Thompson, and then send him on a mission. They can't allow the symbiote to bond with him and gain control, so they have a "killswitch" in the form of a bomb they can remote detontate. To add another twist, Flash Thompson lost his legs in combat, and the symbiote gives him legs when he uses it. They only use each soldier for 20 missions with the symbiote in order to keep the symbiote from taking over.

We see Venom battling the Crimemaster and the Jack O' Lantern,who I think are going to be long term villains. Of course, Spiderman also puts in an appearance. The new Kraven the Hunter pops up as well in a story that reminded me of "Kraven's Last Hunt", which is one of my favorite classic Spiderman storylines.

The series does have a dark tone, but this is Venom after all.

The art fits the story well, quite visually impressive. If you are a fan of Venom, you'll probably like this one. I look forward to the next volume.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all the build-up on this storyline, I feel like Remender did a fine job making this work as a basic story of a crippled war hero who voluntarily wears the Venom symbiote in order to serve his country as a running, jumping, occasionally bad-guy-chomping black ops hero. I find the "I'll kill you if you can't control the evil alien's impulses" motivation was entirely sold on me.

However there's something about the erratic action, the disconnected narration and the odd villain of the first issue that had me feeling like I was experiencing this through a veil of plastic wrap - didn't quite come into focus or really connect for me.

OTOH, Remender and Moore sure know how to portray crazy - when it's Jack O'Lantern or it's some form of Kraven, we gets lots of doses of krazy here.

Hardest thing about trying to enjoy this book are the fight scenes. Usually fights are hell's fun, because testosterone. "The over pumped dude with whom I identify is punching and quipping at the same time! I wish I could do even one of those half so well!" Instead, we get an asshole colourist/inker team in issue 3 who believe that the Venom character (black, grey and off-white colour scheme) should always be shown against a background of confusing black, grey or other mottled and dark colours. Thus making it impossible to simply read the panels and enjoy the ballet which might be the pencils and inks.

I think what's got me rattled about this book is that it has all the hallmarks of a lighthearted funny book, but the inner monologue and side-plots around Betty are just downright serious, pretty much depression territory. What gives? What did we do to deserve this morose meddling in our own emotional traumas? I didn't sign up for an introspective therapy session on my anger management challenges, or all the times I've let my ladies down.

As much shit as I'm giving Remender for this bait-and-switch, I'm man enough to admit that he does one helluva a job in sucking us into the soul-sucking swamp that is Flash Thompson's inner life. He's had a rough road to walk alone, and Remender turning the quarterback-dating-the-cheerleaders story on its ass is as good as that movie Everybody's All-American. Good writing man - not that I look forward to your next issues, but I'll be damned sure to read 'em.

[Smassing Culture · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ολόκληρη η κριτική στο Smassing Culture

Venom- Ήμασταν κάποτε (και) στρατιώτες

Το Venom από τις εκδόσεις Οξύ είναι ουσιασικά η πρώτη (oλοκληρωμένη) ιστορία του run του Nick Remender με τον εμβληματικό κακό της Marvel, το σχετικά μακρινό πλεόν 2011. Το run αυτό, παρόλο που δεν έφτασε ποτέ τα επίπεδα του ΚΟΛΟΣΣΙΑΙΟΥ γεγονότος που διαφημιζόταν, κατάφερε και έδωσε μια διαφορετική, φρέσκια και, κυρίως, πρωτότυπη εκδοχή ενός τόσο αγαπημένου κακού όσο ο Venom, όπου επιτέλους κατάφερε να ξεφύγει από τον χαρακτηρισμό Anti- Spiderman. Ταυτόχρονα, ο Remender προικίζει τον χαρακτήρα του με μια ιδιαίτερα πολιτική χροιά.

Η πρωτη ιστορία από αυτή την νέα εποχή δεν είναι η καλύτερη του run, χωρίς αυτό να σημαίνει πως δεν είναι καλή. Είναι μια επαρκής ιστορία. Ωστόσο, η αξία δεν βρίσκεται στην ποιότητα της per se, αλλά στο ότι βρίσκεται στο σημείο καμπής μεταξύ δύο εποχών. Eίναι ο συνδετικός κρίκος μεταξύ του τέρατος Venom και του Venom στρατιώτη (Agent Venom). H εποχή του Eddie Brock σε αντιδιαστολή με αυτή του Flash Thompson. Μέσα στην ιστορία, με σύντομα αλλά περιεκτικά panel, flash backs και αλληπεπιδράσεις ο Remender σκιαγραφεί υποδειγματικά τον χαρακτήρα του Flash Thompson ως πρόθυμου στρατιώτη που παλεύει με τρία τέρατα, τον Venom, το παρελθόν του ως αλκοολικό, ως απογοήτευση στους ανθρώπους που τον στηρίζουν, κυρίως την κοπέλα του Betty αλλά και την αναπηρία του. Έτσι βλέπουμε τον Flash να αποτυγχάνει στην πάλη ενάντια και στα 3, άφού για να πολεμήσει το ένα, ζητά βοήθεια από τα άλλα δύο: για να νικήσει τον Venom θυμάται την Betty, για να σώσει την Betty ζητά την βοήθεια του Venom και για την αναπηρία του βρίσκεται στην ανάγκη και των δύο. Ο ίδιος δεν μπορεί να βρει λύση σε αυτό το τρίγωνο αναγκών/ θέλω/ καταστάσεων. Σαν την τέταρτη γωνία ενός τριγώνου, δεν υπάρχει θέση για τον ίδιο ούτε μέσα στην ίδια του την ζωή.

Παρόλα αυτά, το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του κόμικ, εκτός των σκηνών δράσης είναι οι εσωτερικοί του μονόλογοι/ διάλογοι με το τέρας που τον περικλείε. Αυτό είναι άλλωστε, χωρίς αμφιβολία, και το καλύτερο κομμάτι του κόμικ. Ο Flash Thompson είναι ένας εντελώς διαφορετικός φορέας από τον Eddie Brock. Δεν έβαλε την στολή/ συμβιωτικό για να καταστρέψει ή να εκδικηθεί, αλλά για να προστατέψει (ακόμα και ξένες χώρες που δεν το ζήτησαν, πιστός στο ιμπεριαλιστικό δογμα και την θέσπιση καταστάσεων εκτάκτου ανάγκης που τηρούν οι ΗΠΑ). Έτσι ο δικός του έλεγχος πάνω στο συμβιωτικό οργανισμός είναι εντελώς άλλου τύπου: δεν έχουμε ταύτιση όπως στον Brock, που δεν φορούσε απλά τον Venom, αλλά ήταν ο Venom. Εδώ υπάρχει συνεχόμενη αντίθεση. Αποτελεί μια έξοχη ψυχαναλυτική αναπαράσταση της διαμάχης (ενός) Εγώ να κυριαρχήσει πάνω σε ένα (φαντασιακό) σώμα με ανάγκες και θέλω δικά του, το οποίο αναπλάθεται ελεύθερα βάσει αυτών των διαφορετικών επιθυμιών. Μέσα σε όλο αυτό το ούτως η άλλως περιοριστικό πλαίσιο πάλης, υπάρχει σε σημαντικό ρόλο και το στρατιωτικοβιομηχανικό σύμπλεγμα που επιθυμεί να τον ελέγξει συνδιαστικά ως Flash-Venom (ή καλύτερα Agent Venom) ως Υπερεγώ.

Το στρατιωτικοβιομηχανικό σύμπλεγμα γίνεται ο φορέας που όχι μόνο διαπλάθει αλλά και διαμορφώνει την ατζέντα του Agent Venom: παρεμβάσεις σε τρίτες χώρες, παρεμπόριο όπλων, διαμάχες με άλλους ήρωες όπως ο Spiderman είναι πλέον στις δραστηριότητες του άλλοτε πράκτορα της καταστροφής. Μια παγκόσμια κατάσταση εξαίρεσης όπου ο νόμος αναιρείται και δικαιολογείται η χρήση μυστικών όπλων, υπερστρατιωτών πίσως από τις γραμμές ενός (αιώνιου) εχθρού και το πυρ σε πολίτες. Μέσα σε όλο αυτό, η αιτιολογία δίνεται ξεκάθαρα, πίσω όμως από το προσωπείο της τρέλας (άρα με διατήρηση του δικαιώματος αναίρεσης της): Δόξα σοι ο Καπιταλισμός.

Όσον αφορά το σχέδιο, ο Tony Moore ( Walking Dead) κάνει μια πολύ καλή δουλειά. Οι γραμμές του χαρίζουν πλαστικότητα και κίνηση, ενώ καταφέρνει να αποτυπώσει την ρευστότητα (κυριολεκτική και μεταφορική) του Agent Venom, ο οποίος συνεχώς διχάζεται μεταξύ θυμού και καθήκοντος, πολύ καλά. Ωστόσο δεν λείπουν και οι αμέλειες, λόγου χάρη η επιμονή John Raunch στα σκοτείνα χρώμα πολλές φορές σκιάζουν που ο αναγνώστης δε μπορεί να παρακολουθήσει τα πάνελ και το μοντάζ που έχει γίνει στις μάχες. Άλλο σημαντικό θέμα είναι η Υπερβολή των μαχών, η οποία έρχεται σε ευθεία αντίθεση με το κλειστοφοβικό και ψυχολογικό πλαίσιο στο οποίο κινούνται οι χαρακτήρες. Όμως αυτό δεν είναι τόσο ελάττωμα όσο συνειδητή επιλογή. Απλά κάποιες φορές δουλεύει και κάποιες άλλες όχι.

Αυτό ήταν το πλαίσιο του τότε Venom. Στην πορεία ακολούθησαν μερικές πολύ δυνατές στιγμές, όμως όλα ξεκίνησαν από εδώ.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept: using the symbiote as as a secret weapon and using a soldier to wear it and carry out special missions. That's a new take on the played-out Venom character, and it could work. But the soldier being Flash Thompson? Really? I had a hard time getting behind that. I'm sure there are at least a good dozen existing characters that could've made this work better. But Flash is a noble, but damaged character, and I guess that's supposed to give the whole set-up more weight.

Probably the thing I liked best about this book, were the villains. Jack O'Lantern is a psycho, granted, but Remender writes him so well. And so funny. They say the hero is only as good as his villain (or something), and Venom's got a great foil in Jack O'Lantern. And let us not forget Crime Master, Jack's «boss». In spite of his lame villain name, he is also well-written by Remender.

Bottom line: Not bad, but by no means great, either. Let's see where this goes...

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this was a great re-imagining of Venom, that is to say, with a different host than Eddie Brock (or some of the others). Flash Thompson was always a minor character as far as I knew, so this is a great idea. I also love that this is the first time we've seen someone who doesn't actually hate Peter Parker/Spiderman in the Venom symbiote. I liked just about everything about this one. This time Venom actually helps people and kicks bad guy ass. The suit remembers hatred for PP/SM but Flash overrules it. That and the fact that without, Flash is again a double amputee recovering alcoholic just seals it off. Keep going. This has great potential.

[Trike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so great. This whole story just seemed to flow from beginning to end, with a feeling of inevitability. That’s good writing. It was a nice balance between action and introspection, and ending this book with the family trouble was just as interesting as the superhero stuff. I also like how Remender kept the patented Spider-Man difficulty of juggling a personal life with the superhero gig; it’s cool how that translates and ties the two characters together thematically.

Flash’s specific problems are different from Peter’s, being on-call as a secret symbiote commando, trying to remain sober after losing his legs in combat, but the end result is the same. I definitely need to read this whole arc, right up to the point where it almost certainly goes off the rails with yet another Marvel mandated company-wide crossover event. Hopefully he gets a dozen issues in before that happens.

[Liquid Snake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

Quite dark, serious and depressing story, interesting version of another Venom, for symbiote fans it's worth a read, anyone else can skip it.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marvel really did a smart job collecting this series the way that they did. The first 4 issues of Venom, which feature a new, more heroic Venom in the form of disabled war hero Flash Thompson, aren't great. They're all over the place, they don't at all take advantage of the unique character of Flash (a redeemed alcoholic who lost his legs fighting for his country and has named himself Spider-Man's #1 fan), and they present the only female character as an empty, co-dependent Girlfriend with a capital G. Instead, they just focus completely on Venom's fights with completely random villains, which are boring at best, hacky at worst. I was done.

Then the 5th issue came along. Venom (i.e. the symbiote suit) doesn't make a single appearance in this issue. It's totally devoted to developing Flash and his various relationships, and building up his addiction problem as something that could be a running theme in the series. It's a little cliche at times, but it bodes well for a series that a first appeared very rote. Instead of giving up on this, I'm going to read the next one just to see if this character work continues. So, good work Marvel. You convinced me.

[William Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Remender is going to have to burn out one day soon if he keeps it up at this pace. I can't believe that he can keep churning out both quality and quantity like this for the past 5 years or so. And with his hands in so many different corners of the Marvel U, it's a wonder he can keep it all straight.

Here in 'Venom', he keeps the symbiote within the Spider-Man universe by handing it over to Flash Thompson-a quadriplegic, a former army man, alcoholic, high school football player and friend to Peter Parker. Remender pulls out so many B-list villains from Spidey's past and turns them into absolutely horrifying monsters that their potential is finally realized in Remender's hands. Along with a healthy dose of personal drama in Flash's life, this could be a Spider-Man book. It has all the same hallmarks and an absolutely perfect balance.

Writing: a
Art: B

[Adam Spanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

woah! I didn't expect to like a venom comic that much. I prepared for some mayhem, action and a swallow plot but as it seems i didn't make an accurate prediction after all.
There is a lot of drama and emotional scenes in this and a great (imo) new costume for our main character that stands out. The only one star that is missing out on my rating is because of the art that is lacking big time in many panels.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't start so great but the middle and the rest of this really gave you a feel for this character. Too bad I don't think there are any more volumes. Great character and I would have loved to read more.

[Felix Zilich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сольные комиксы про Венома - чаще всего, жуткая лабуда, но авторский ран Рика Ремендера, выходивший с 2011 по 2012 год в качестве четвертого перезапуска франшизы - из удачных. Подобный формат считается обычно «бондовским», но он скорее «чепиговский». Marvel и DC любят иногда выцеплять своих героев (Пунишера, Грейсона etc), после чего бросать их спасать мир у черта на куличиках, с чекистским маячком за щекой. На этот раз патриотическая карта выпадает капралу Флэшу Томпсону, безногому ветерану и алкоголику. Калека получил от армейки казенного симбиота, а вместе с ним временные ноги, бомбу в череп и задание, связанное с уничтожением шахты, где преступники добывают арктический вибраниум. Искать свой «солсберецкий шпиль» Флэшу придётся сначала в Нросвекистане (вы удивитесь, но это на Балканах), а потом и на Диких Землях, поэтому среди помех на маршруте капралу предстоит столкнуться не только с Фонарём Джеком и Беннетом Брандтом, но и с окончательно поехавшим Кравиновым.

На каждое задание у Флэша будет не больше 48 часов. Именно столько времени он способен контролировать своего симбиота и не думать про бомбу и последнюю пулю в обойме.

Главный козырь проекта - художник Терри Мур. У него воистину кинематографический глаз и чуйка на момент, а также способность телепатически понимать своего давнего партнёра Рика Ремендера, что получается далеко не у всех. Я, например, Ремендера зачастую совсем не понимаю.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while now and I ended up buying a digital copy for my kindle app. It’s a really action packed comic with lots of classic Spider-Man villains, but I’m not sure how much I like Flash Thompson yet. He seems to be a much more level headed host for the symbiote than Eddie Brock was and I really dig the design and artstyle of these issues. It’s a simple man on a mission story, that could have used some more characterization I think with Flash Thompson’s personal life, but overall I can’t say that I wasn’t thoroughly entertained at least. A good action adventure is sometimes worthwhile.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of the Flash Thompson era was kinda lame. It seems he never really wins. The last issue was the best as it mostly focused on Flash and his alcoholic father.

[FortressOfBookitude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash Thompson hat einen der besten character arcs überhaupt und es ist eine Schande, dass er nicht mehr genutzt wird.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Venom! *Ahem,I meant I love Venom. I know I seem a little one-sided praising Rick Remender for his writing but if you read Remender regularly you'll understand my love and respect for his writing. Venom is a great character despite his unfortunate big-screen debut (just blot out that mental image of Topher Grace with sharp,yellow teeth). It seemed like Marvel wanted to place him back on his pedestal with this new series and I believe they've succeeded.

I remember finding out Flash Thompson was the new Venom and I wasn't terribly excited at the time but after reading issue one I was hooked. Remender's Venom is placed in a very interesting scenario; Thompson has deep emotional issues that may affect his control over the suit and there are other limitations such as the Symbiote's own volatile nature and weakness to sound. Once again, Remender makes the character very thoughtful and yet he is different from Remender's take on other characters such as the Punisher and Wolverine. Flash is motivated by his ability to overcome his disability, his damaged relationship with his father, his former drinking problem and his rocky relationship with his girlfriend, Betty Brant. Seems a bit heavy for a comic book, right? And it seems like this character has one too many problems but Remender deals with each in a steady fashion and none of it seems to be overplayed. This is a series to keep track of.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've said before that I don't like what Venom has become: the long tongue, brain-eating, monster just doesn't appeal to me. The original concept was much more sinister IMO. Here comes Remender, who I really like, with a novel concept: Let Spidey's biggest fan, Flash Thompson get control of the symbiote and be a government agent.

I really do like the change and there are plenty of "hooks" for the character: the constant struggle for maintaining control of the suit, the suit hating Spider-Man but Flash is his biggest fan, Flash needs the suit to walk, can only wear it for a limited time, etc. Remender also spends time explaining what drives Flash including his abusive father which drove him to be a bully and football star and what made him join the Army.

It's all really well done including the amping up of Spider-Man foe Jack-O-Lantern, yet I just couldn't get into it. Despite the complications I listed earlier, Flash still comes off as a generic hero with human flaws, but he isn't that interesting. While I applaud the ever and the long needed change to Venom, it isn't enough to keep me reading the character.

This is a decent read but I don't think there's a long-term future for the character.

[Michael Kikle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book about three times. I still enjoy it. It's not great; many stories feel like the entire beginning are missing.

It's definitely not perfect.

And yet I enjoy it because of Flash Thompson, whom has become Agent Venom. He's just so cool, and a way to open-up new kinds of discussions of topics, and, so far, it seems like Marvel has stated actually doing some stuff with Agent Venom.

I've alway been a fan of Venom, and this Venom doesn't let down, to me.

This was fun.

One of my favorite things about the book is how Agent Venom's suit freaks out when Venom gets angry, and his suit goes berserk, then growing into a huge, beastly, 90s-style Venom (think of a monster version of the Eddie Brock Venom).

It's just awesome, in my opinion. Almost everything about it is some form of awesome, for my taste.

It's a fun action story that I think wasn't given a chance by anyone.

What a shame.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The famous alien symbiote takes center stage in Rick Remender's new take on Venom for Marvel Comics. Former jock, bully, Spider-fan, and Army veteran Flash Thompson gave his legs in the service of his country. Outfitted with the Venom symbiote, Flash now serves as a souped-up super-spy for the government. The opening arc establishes a twisted incarnation of Jack O'Lantern as Flash's archenemy, pits Venom against a mad Kraven and cannibalistic Human Fly, and brings in Spider-Man for the obligatory smack-down in New York. What helps this incarnation work is the focus on Flash; a disabled vet battling alcoholism and keeping his friends in the dark about his covert missions creates a more readable character. The series is still testing its legs - as is our new protagonist - but it provides a nifty read all the same.

[Gustavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuando leí la sinopsis me pareció realmente interesante: algo asi como que Flash Thompson es un ex-alcohólico héroe de guerra que perdió sus piernas, pero tiene una segunda oportunidad trabajando como un agente del gobierno usando a Venom como una especie de traje de super soldado.

El problema con este cómic no es que sea malo, es que está abordado de la forma más genérica del mundo, el jefe gritón le asigna una misión y la misión se complica, tiene una novia (Betty Brant, aunque tranquilamente podría ser cualquier personaje porque tiene cero personalidad) que no sabe que el es un agente. entonces está constantemente enojada porque Flash se desaparece y no la llama, etc., etc.

Sin embargo, a pesar de estos problemas, el comic es entretenido y el arte está bastante bueno asi que llega a las 3 estrellas raspando pero llega.

[Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agent Venom (Flash Thompson) is sent to the Savage Lands. That's really all that I needed to know. I love all Marvel stories that take place in the Savage Lands. Bring in a symbiote that doesn't want to be tamed and I'm hooked.

[Poto · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was good, that was good. I am liking Flash a lot. But man, I haven't read Spiderman in a long time. Was Peter always that self-righteous?

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I love Venom and definitely plan to continue reading

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessante essa perspectiva do Venom como um personagem tentando ser herói, sobre a relação com o simbionte e com o Homem-Aranha. E lindamente desenhado também.

[MatiBracchitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tengo que admitir que recordaba este cómic mucho mejor de lo que realmente es. Esto no quiere decir que sea un cómic malo, al contrario, me parece una buena lavada de cara al personaje de Venom y la creación de un héroe muy interesante.

Más que de Venom, deberíamos hablar de Agente Venom, ergo, Flash Thompson el ex bully de Peter Parker convertido en un agente del gobierno al mejor estilo Suicide Squad. Flash está roto física y mentalmente, debe luchar con el simbionte para mantenerlo en control y un desliz suyo puede acabar no solo con la vida de los otros, sino también con la suya.

De estrella invitada vemos a Peter quien aparece poco, pero logra meterse en la historia de buena manera. No es un personaje oportuno o que moleste, sino que es un complemento necesario para que la trama avance.

Analizando un poco, el trabajo de Remender me parece muy bueno. No solo porque la historia es entretenida en sí, sino porque sabe construir un personaje con muchas caras; un personaje con una historia y bagaje en muy pocas páginas. Es cierto que quizás la acción pasa por tópicos ya vistos (retoma en ese sentido algunos aspectos de Spider-Man como no podría ser de otra forma), pero aún así el personaje de Agente Venom resulta no solo llamativo, sino atrapante. Dan ganas de verlo formar grupo con otros personajes del Universo Marvel.

Me hubiera encantado ver un grupo de combate o espionaje donde el Capi lidere a Agente Venom; o verlo compartir páginas con Hulk Rojo, el soldado de invierno, Black Widow o incluso Nick Fury. En fin, es un personaje que por su trasfondo y sus poderes da para mucho. Desconozco que continuidad le han brindado, pero dan ganas de leer más sobre él.

Por otro lado, justo da la casualidad que empecé a leer The Walking Dead y ahora me vuelvo a encontrar con los trabajos de Tony Moore. Las comparaciones fueron inevitables. Me gustó su trabajo aquí, por momentos veía la cara de Rick o pensaba "este estilo es muy The Walking Dead", pero bueno es un problema mío, no del artista.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Spin-Offs Should Be Done

THOUGHTS: Marvel and DC have snatched up some of the best indie writers and put them on books. 80% of these are garbage, however some deliver solid results with compelling characters and strong story. Rick Remender's writing on Venom is one of these few exceptions, showing how it should be done.

VERDICT: Fans of Venom (and Spidey and Thunderbolts) should not miss this story-line. However, the real value of this book is an example for how writers should approach a limited series for Marvel and DC. Remender closes volume one not with over the top explosions or the "death" of a central character, but with a deep dive into the character of Flash Thompson that connects with readers.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flash Thompson, Peter Parker's former high school bully and current close friend, lost his legs in the Iraq War. When the U.S. military offers Flash a way to continue to serve his country by bonding to the Venom symbiote, Flash thinks it is finally his chance to be a superhero like his idol Spider-Man.

I'm not a fan of Venom but I do really like the character of Flash Thompson. Unlike Eddie Brock, Flash is a good person who genuinely wants to be a hero. I was less of a fan of the government agent spin on the character, but I suspect it won't take long for him to go rogue.

The final issue is really good. It barely has Flash ever become Venom and is instead a quiet reflective story about him and Peter looking for his alcoholic, abusive father.