The summer of Symbiotes is gearing up, and it all starts with the anthology series Extreme Venomverse which has its third issue out this week. Featuring brand new Symbiotes and takes on Venom, the series is also quietly setting up the return of Carnage and the “Death of the Venomverse,” which kicks off in August. In the last issue, Extreme Venomverse introduced a robot Venom, Black Cat getting the Symbiote instead of Spider-Man, and a medieval jester Venom. Wild stuff and it only gets wilder this week.
This series has been a fun way for big creators to take big swings. This issue features a cowboy universe complete with a gunslinging Spider-Man, a caveman-level society getting abused, a Symbiote being the only way to achieve vengeance, and a killer space knight Venom story too. Throw in some Ty Templeton backup comic strips, and it’s a great package all around.
Starting with the first story written by Jed MacKay with art by Daniel Earls, “Greatness and Catastrophe” introduces new Symbiote protector Black Fang. She’s protecting her entire people who are attacked by the Kree. It’s unclear if this is in another universe or if it’s the 616, but likely it is as we see caveman-like people being subjugated. You must love the long fangs making Black Fang some sabretooth cat amalgam. This story ends abruptly but explains how this character is a little different from the rest.
The art in this story is a little rough but mostly great. The last two pages are a little clunky and uninteresting, though.
More of this character, please.
Credit: Marvel
Next up, Taran Killam and Ros Reis reveal “Best Little Horror House” featuring Spider-Man, but sneakily back into a whore-house Venom. Reis draws the heck out of this story crafting a story that has worn elements like streaks and a clearly hand-drawn feel. The idea of a Madame Venom is clever, especially since she’s mystical. She’s kind of like a Madame Web but for Symbiotes. Killam also keeps your attention with well-written dialogue.
“Wet Works” is the last main story by Clay McLeod Chapman and Nelson Daniel featuring Venom Space Knight, an often fan-favorite character who only had a short time as Venom. Likely another universe, this is basically the version of Venom when Flash Thompson was a space cop, and the costume design is rad as hell. This is mostly a beat-em-up story, with Venom punching, slicing, and being an overall badass. The art is a little simpler in this tale than what you might expect from Marvel Comics, but overall it works.
Ty Templeton’s comic strips continue to be a delight, riffing off classic comic strips put adding an edge only Symbiotes could supply. We get four strips in total, and each one is as cute as it is clever. Marvel should put out a Templeton omnibus someday, as these are a great way to celebrate comics and comic strips.
Extreme Venomverse continues to innovate and excite with new takes on Venom. Issue #3 features a good mix of action, clever ideas, and an ongoing realization that the multiverse of Venom characters need to band together.
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