Venom

[Cosgrove]

So, Venom issue 18 came out today, and as Rick Remender's run on the book draws to a close with the Savage Six arc, after which a new writer takes over, I was wondering on people's thoughts on the series, if they've even read it.

I really like Flash Thompson as Venom, personally. I grew up with Eddie Brock as Venom, and I really couldn't stand Gargan as venom unless a really good writer was managing it. Flash Thompson really, thanks to Remender, really felt like a dark, twisted version of Spiderman, which was a good thing and reintroduced the idea that the symbiote actualyl cares for its hosts.

Also, while many don't Like Eddie Bock as Toxin for many reasons, I think its an interesting change of pace. Would I prefer his as Anti-Venom again? Yes, definitely, and I feel that there is potential that he might become so again, but Slott has killed off Anti-Venom in Spider Island and Brock is, ultimately, an important character in Venom History so he had to be nicluded somehow in a way that wasn't him becoming Venom again.

Personally, with how the Savage Six arc is wrapping up, I think its going to be a nice change of pace, Venom's a hero and an Avenger, but it seems like his identity will be revealed, which is really going to shake things up, especially with his friendship with Peter as the Symbiote wants Spiderman dead, Peter wants the Symbiote destroyed, and Flash's ain't gonna stop being Venom without a fight, ask Captain America.

Will Betty Brant survive the Savage Six after her and Flash and will she even want to be with him anymore? What's the deal with 'the spawning' that has the symibotes pulling a highlander? Will the next writer do justice for the character?

This is the first time in a long time I've found myself interested in Venom and its also gotten me into the marvel universe as a comic reader again. Does anyone else here read it?

 

[A Curious Stranger]

I read the first few issues and really liked it. Haven't really kept up with it besides him showing up in Spider-Island. Flash's character is incredibly interesting now. His veteran status, the loss of his legs, his loving yet failing relationship with Betty, etc... it makes him so human.

 

[TC_Hazard]

I wasn't sure on the whole Flash as Venom thing at the beginning, but the comic quickly changed my mind. I hadn't kept up with it since the whole Thirteen thing, but what I have read I have loved.

The way Flash slowly becomes more dependent on the symbiote as just fascinating to watch and you can't help but feel for him what with all the stuff he is going through.

The little fight with Spider-Man was also pretty damn cool. It's not everyday you have trying to control himself Venom vs Very angry Spider-Man.

 

[Cosgrove]

Huh, read an interview with the new Writer, Cullen Bunn, apparently he'll pick up the circle of four stuff in his run. He's apparently going to give Flash a new set of Villains and a new supporting cast, kinda makes me nervous. I mean I don't expect him to be like Remender, but I'm kinda worried. Apparently he's have a new villain.

"But the villain who is really going to give him a run for his will be someone who can really mess with Flash's head. Flash has gone through a lot lately, and he has his moments of guilt, doubt and self-loathing. This villain's going to play on every weakness Flash might be experiencing. This is a villain who, like Crime Master, Flash can't escape for a number of reasons."

He'll also apparently have a villain as support: "Then, going back to what I said about villains who can get under Flash's skin and push his buttons, there is a villain that I'm bringing into "Venom" who becomes sort of a supporting cast member for at least several arcs. He's going to play havoc with Flash's emotions and mental stability, although in many ways he's going to be helping Flash at the same time. He's sort of a Hannibal Lector type -- and Venom is Clarice."

I'm thinking he's gonna have either Osborn or Carnage playing the role of 'Lector' only two who could really work in my opinion.

TC_Hazard, I agree. The symbiote slowly getting more control over him psychologically is really cool. There's a neat scene leading into the circle of four arc which has Flash alone in a hotel room, the symbiote handing him a bottle of booze with a tentacle was really interesting because its working to make him more pliable as a host.

Hell, its gotten to the point where he calmed lied to the Secret Avengers, including Captain America, that the symbiote had no bonded with him so he could be Venom more, to the point where its the only thing left in his life because Betty's leaving him because he's pulled a peter parker by ditching her and everyone else at a moments notice to be Venom.

I'm really curious about how Betty will react to seeing Flash being Venom next issue, considering he was forced to reveal it to her at the end of issue 18. Especially with previews hinting about the Crime Master having some sort of link to Betty. I think they're going to pull out the reveal that the Crime Master is a relative of Betty, probably the father, considering the cliche.

Interview with Bunn about Venom, if anyone's interested to read it in full: <a href='http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38606' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38606</a>