Throughout the Venom series, Flash Thompson has been through many trials and challenges adapting to his new situation. In issue 6, his greatest challenge has begun, entering into Spider-Island. In dealing with any event, a book crossing over can be a mixed occasion. With Venom though it’s a logical, dare I say perfect fit. Rick Remender has managed to create a full blown action comic, mixed in with a character that’s as easy to relate to as Flash Thompson, and giving new life to Venom. Having Spider-Man’s biggest fan as Venom as added an extra element to the Venom universe. Through the initial work of Tony Moore, gave it a great visceral edge, as of late we’ve had Tom Fowler doing fill-in work for Moore. Though Moore does contribute an impressive cover for this issue with Fowler continuing his work on the interiors. Now we begin our descent further into Spider-Island with Venom showing us a new dimension to this event.
You’re brought into the action from the start, Venom is dropped into Spider-Island, dealing with one of Jackal’s Minions. There’s an conversation going on that blends nicely into the action at hand. Betty Brant (Flash Thompson’s girlfriend) is still in the hospital, and she’s with Flash’s father who’s in his last stages of liver failure. I love how Remender handles the tension on both fronts. It gives you a feeling of a ticking clock while he’s in action as Venom, if he really does want to go to the hospital to see his Dad one last time. As Venom saves Gravity and Firestar, this segment turns into one of my favorite sequences that Tom Fowler has done for Venom so far. The fight with Spider-King is intense. It’s a no holds barred battle, hard hitting, and extremely intense. How the fight ends is hilarious. Venom uses Gravity in a creative fashion that you just have to see to believe.
When Spider-King is locked up in the base that Venom is based out of, what follows is a impressive action piece, that ranks as one of my top sequences on Venom to date. Fowler is on a roll with this issue. Rick Remender scripts the entire segment so well, I felt like I was watching a movie. You have Flash Thompson without the Venom symbiote in the early part of the lab battle, as everything seems to be happening right at once. The intensity felt real. Every second counted, takes a lot of talent to pull that off, and between Remender and Fowler they nailed that feeling.
Another fine issue of Venom, blending nicely in the scheme of Spider-Island. Showing Venom interacting with other characters of the Marvel Universe outside of Spider-Man is a great touch. Gravity’s reaction to Venom was priceless, when people realize that Venom is a good guy, that’s going to be weird to think about. With the Spider-Island connection in this issue, you’ll be perfectly okay if you’re not already reading Amazing Spider-Man. If you’re just wanting to read Venom, then you can just read Venom. There is a strong tie-in to the book, but everything is explained well enough that I can safely say you’ll be fine. Now that Venom is in play in Spider-Island things are only going to get more interesting. When you see the ending of this issue, the next one will just have to be in your hands. If you’re already reading Spider-Island and looking for a good jumping on point for Venom, look no further than Venom #6.
