Well this is going to be a hard one gang, why you might ask, because this comic book (and the entire series so far by Donny Cates) is just plain good! Donny continues to add new elements to the story of Venom by building upon what has gone without tearing down any existing canon. As someone who has always appreciated continuity in my comics I immediately approve! One thing is apparent right from the get go concerning the series as a whole, Donny either knows his Venom lore or like any good writer taking on a project, has done significant amounts of research. This allows him to freely add to said cannon without needlessly treading over the work of previous authors. Donny deftly weaves in the backstory of Venom’s son (revealed in a previous issue) and fits it neatly into Venom’s own history in a way tat makes tragic sense. This particular arc in the tale has exposed the monstrous nature of characters within it such as Dylan wanting to have Eddie murder a man he presumes to be his father, Eddie’s own struggles with his brutal self, a mother who abandons her child and even the symbiote and its manipulation of someone it claim to love. But beyond that in this issue we see the humanity and struggle within these characters as well as the flesh is stripped from their metaphorical bones and their souls are laid to bare. All are flawed, all are stained but all participants are human as well (even the symbiote) who are willing to make sacrifices for something better. It’s a poignant story and tragic tale of secrets revealed, decisions made and the lasting effects of these things. In the midst of a series that has been crushing it, this one was particularly good and will gut punch you in the feels the way the movie Logan did.
ART
We’ve had a change of art teams since the wrap of the first arc and I had really liked the previous team but I think it’s for the best. The previous team dealing with the arc of the primal symbiotes, the Grendel and Knull really fit that story well with its fantastic and super hero elements. Cassara and Boredo deliver powerful lines and colors just dripping with emotional weight, mood and drama that really set this story off. I have nothing to criticize here and can only offer my praise.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Buy this book if you haven’t already, in fact go back and get the whole series! Its worth! 5 out of 5!
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
REVIEW: VENOM 12
Writer: Donny Cates
Art: Joshua Cassara
Colors: Rain Boredo
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