At this point, the person wearing the Venom symbiote has changed enough that it’s in canon for it to switch hosts. From Spider-Man to Eddie Brock to Dylan to Tel-Kar, there have been a whole bunch of hosts, and now it’s a bonafide mystery in All-New Venom #1, out this week. Done in a similar style to a whodunit, four characters are potential hosts, and only you and Dylan Brock can figure it out!
For more on All-New Venom, check out our exclusive new monthly column, Venom Unleashed, which will be launching tomorrow!
After putting this issue down, it’s clear that the legacy of Venom is as robust as ever, and it’s nice to see Al Ewing go solo with a whole new take on the character. His collab with Ram V was epic and mind-bending, but it’s clear the cosmic angle on Venom is shifting to a more grounded take. Fans of the original Venom should be pleased by that and pleased by this opening salvo.
The first issue is set in a courtroom where Madame Masque is accused of being a new symbiote! Quickly, we realize that the prosecution is simply using metaphor to compare her to an alien goop monster, but it’s also a fun way to point fingers at one of the main suspects right off the bat. From the start, Ewing is keeping readers on their toes and ensuring we’re second-guessing anyone as to them being the new Venom.
Who is under that suit?
Credit: Marvel
While this story spins out of Venom War #5, it is very much a new reader-friendly issue. Sure, it would be helpful to know why Dylan is living with Paul and Mary Jane, but it’s fairly easy to jump in and start making guesses as to who Venom is under the symbiote.
The suspects, clearly labeled as such with captions, are Madame Masque, Luke Cage, Robbie Robertson, and Rick Jones. It’s not until All-New Venom pops into the courtroom – and all of the four suspects mysteriously exit the room simultaneously – that we start to analyze who it might be.
The action in this sequence is intense, juxtaposed well with Venom’s somewhat silly and fun-loving attitude. In fact, his (or her) dialogue seems to be a clue. Given the dialogue, I know I have a top pick of the four, but you never know… maybe all for “suspects” are red herrings!
Another element that works is Luke Cage, Robbie Robertson, and Rick Jones’ interactions. Just like the reader, they’re trying to figure out who the new Venom is. They interact twice in this first issue and it’s clear they’ll be continuing that as they try to figure out who Venom is going forward. This allows Ewing to have the characters themselves second guess who is Venom with Dylan Brock hot on one of their trails (presumably!).
The only thing absent in this issue is Venom himself, who pops in for the action scene but remains a mystery. Yes, that’s the point of the mystery, but given where Venom left off in Venom War there are questions that could be detailed or hinted at. Like, what’s the deal with the gold, or does he have amped-up powers thanks to the events of Venom War? As the title character, the opening issue could use a touch more from Venom.
Art by Carlos Gomez and Frank D’Armata is great. As always, D’Armata brings a good sense of light, giving the gold chest on Venom a metallic feel. Gomez continues to impress with a level of detail that’s up there with top-tier superhero artists. The AIM agents’ Venom fights feel extra dangerous, given the tight space of the courtroom, and their suits have a cool Hulkbuster vibe. Throw in the fact that there’s a yellow/green sickly color used in the fight, and it’s an extra dangerous feeling.
All-New Venom #1 hooks readers with its clever mystery and strong supporting cast while reestablishing the Venom legacy in a fresh and grounded way. However, the minimal focus on Venom himself and lingering questions from past events hold the issue back. Still, All-New Venom keeps you guessing with its electrifying mystery, jaw-dropping action, and a surprising new twist on the Venom mythos that will leave fans dying to know what happens next.
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