I recently decided to give Venom another shot in the aftermath of Spider-Island. As I got burnt out on Spider-Island as Venom tied in heavily with it, I found myself just taking time away from the title. As I looked over the preview for issue #10, especially seeing the cover image, I couldn’t help but want to give this series a second chance. If anyone else is jumping in on this issue, first thing I am going to get out of the way right now, this is an excellent jumping on point. Anything that myself or anyone else might have missed during Spider-Island was filled in and I didn’t feel lost at all throughout reading the issue. Rick Remender was off on the right foot with me on my return to reading this title. Lan Medina makes his debut as the new artist on this title and I’ve been a fan of his since Fables.
From the beginning of this issue the series feels like it’s clearing the deck for the new direction. The addition of Lan Medina’s realistic style adds another level to the funeral and the look of Jack O’Lantern is at one scary yet grounded well within this world. The series is now refocused on the situation with Crime-Master and that helps the momentum of this series. As Jack O’Lantern takes him to visit the Crime-Master’s headquarter you can’t help but want to smack Crime-Master at his attempts of sympathy towards Flash. Remender embraces this twisted situation and cuts loose with a dark sense of humor yet you can see just what’s building before you.
The best moments of the issue are in the latter half as Captain America appears in all his glory. He’s there to deal with Project: Rebirth and comes in on his motorcycle. The eventual Captain America vs. Venom fight happens with impressive results, Lan Medina does a killer job with this battle. Remender gives you a lot into just what Flash is going through in dealing with the Venom symbiote while the fight is happening. Lan Medina adds so much to this battle though and it does add another level to this fight. I’m excited by the new direction and the final page left me wishing the next issue was out now.
Venom is going in a direction that could be the best thing to happen to this series. Rick Remender’s direction for this series is refreshing and gives the book an entirely new energy. Lan Medina’s art starting off is on the right track. I say this is officially a series to watch, the stakes have never been higher and the series is all the more exciting for it. If you aren’t currently picking up Venom, jump on board now, the water is perfectly fine. You’ll want to be a passenger on Venom‘s road trip.
captain america vs. venom?? sounds awesome but I can’t see how captain america would even stand a chance. for that purpose alone I’ll pick this one up on my phone