Marvel’s current Venom War event melds pro wrestling with a family feud. Father versus son. Dylan versus Eddie. Spider-Man is always in the middle! An event that has been years in the making, writer Al Ewing uses Venom War #3 to establish two major Marvel villains are pulling strings!
Venom War #3 opens with Carnage and Meridius viewing the destruction of the zombiotes in New York City. It’s a fine recap of what they’re up to, complete with a deep-cut Marvel character getting transformed by a symbiote. Enter Flash Thompson, who is doing his best as Anti-Venom to curb the all-out war in NYC.
Much of this issue is set in the ring as The Prince in Black (Dylan Brock) faces off against Bedlam (Eddie Brock). Dylan is wearing a combination of symbiotes, while Eddie is wearing one of his most violent versions of himself. Thankfully, Ewing reveals the two can’t possibly fight, as Eddie is a good dad. But if they don’t fight, Doctor Doom and Kang will!
Not Willie!
Credit: Marvel Comics
I’ll say no more about the developments of these villains, but let’s just say that if you haven’t been reading the Venom series, the editor’s notes to the comics you can read to catch up are handy. It’s a creative way to keep tying Venom to Marvel’s cosmic elements, further showing the complexity of Venom, who has been time-hopping for a couple of years now. Anyone yearning for classic brain-eating Venom may not love it, but it’s a nice further development in this complex take on Venom.
The cliffhanger is also a lot of fun. Props to Ewing for the line the Venom symbiote says, “I begin to think in stereo.” Once again, Venom does something different, and his abilities prove there are more tricks up his gooey sleeves.
On the reverse side, this issue is filled with so many reveals I pondered where the character work ended up. Carnage and Meridius get a moment, but Eddie and Dylan are more bystanders on this issue. For event-caliber storytelling, it works, but I was left a bit wanting as far as personal stakes.
Artist Iban Coello and colorist Frank D’Armata go ham on the liquidy and violent symbiote action. The zombies at the start of the story are frightening, and Carnage has a cool red glow to his eyes, elevating his look. At one point, a character takes massive battle damage, and it’s frankly so graphic that I’m surprised Marvel approved it. Bravo.
Venom War #3 further ties symbiote mythology to Marvel cosmic, with heavy-hitter villains entering the fray. It’s another example of how Venom’s evolution and complexity as a character have become inherently part of his new identity.
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