‘Venom #150’ Review
Written by Mike Costa, David Michelinie, Robbie Thompson | Art by Ron Lim, Tradd Moore, Gerardo Sandoval | Published by Marvel Comics
Synopsis: Bonded together again, Eddie and the symbiote are web-slinging their way across New York City. But, is their relationship as harmonious as it once was? Or is their bond more sinister than ever? But that’s not all! In addition to a brutal main feature from Costa & Moore, VENOM #150 features the return of iconic past Venom creators! First up, because you asked for it – secrets will be revealed! How did Flash Thompson come to lose the symbiote before it found its way to former Army Ranger Lee Price? The Venom: Space Knight creative team of Robbie Thompson and Gerardo Sandoval have the answers! Then, it’s back to the mean streets of San Francisco as fan-favorite creators David Michelinie and Ron Lim present a tale set between the pages of their iconic Venom: Lethal Protector series!
Sure reverting Venom back to the legacy numbering is a cheap marketing ploy, and yes much of this main story has elements that are very familiar w iththe character of Venom. However, when the familiar has become unfamiliar something like Venom #150 is as welcome chance of pace. If you are a long time Venom fan this issue works well as a celebration of the character and a possible lead into more great stories yet to come.
Venom has been through a lot these last few years. He’s been a secret agent, a Space Knight, and now he is back with his original host Eddie Brock. Brock is attempting to live the straight life again but finding the symbiote may not want to comply. It still has a yearning to kill that is eating away at Brock to the point he makes him seek advice from a priest.
It may be cliché but considering these moments link to the origin of Venom it is a cliché that works. Mike Costa also scripts a strong scene and makes Brock into the most compelling he has been in years. There are some other big moments including an appearance from a key character tied to the Venom’s past. This one night in the life of Venom approach kept the pace moving allow the issue to cover a lot of ground without becoming overly muddled. This does everything an anniversary issue should. First and foremost it is compelling story built on the dramatic weight of the character. With that we get the purest form of celebration, a reminder of what has made this character work all these years while so many others have been quickly forgotten.
**** 4/5
