All-New Venom is rounding the corner on its first year, which makes Doc Ock’s entry into the story feel momentous. Truly one of the most boisterous villains to ever grace a comic, he’s got Rick Jones tied up, while Venom is dealing with S.C.A.R. agents ready to bag and tag MJ and Venom after “killing” Flash Thompson! It’s a payoff issue after the setup last month.
If it wasn’t obvious, a full-page splash of Doc Ock’s face opens the issue to remind us he’s the feature player in All-New Venom #8. In the reflection of his glasses, we see Rick Jones is not amused, and also upside down. He does lots of talking, and writer Al Ewing keeps you invested in his scheming and anger over the tiniest things (like secret identity talk).
That fun opening is followed by a reminder this is a multi-symbiote book, with Sleeper and Toxin held up in a cell, but not entirely incapable of helping. Truth be told, fans of Dylan and his entry into symbiote lore should definitely pick up this issue. Clearly, there’s a plan to use him much more.
The meatiest portion of this issue is devoted to Venom fighting S.C.A.R. agents, who just witnessed Flash get stabbed through the heart. They’re ready to kill Venom and anyone in the way, which wasn’t part of their plan! This scene allows Ewing and artist Carlos Gomez to utilize a few of the supporting characters, including Paul, reminding us this is far from a solo book.
Ouch!
Credit: Marvel
Fans of Venom, particularly this new Venom, who seems to always have new and inventive ways to use its powers, will enjoy a couple of new tricks. One involves a submarine that is honestly clever while leaning into the weirdness of symbiote powers. Frankly, some of these new powers, like what Venom does with Doc Ock in the final fight, make you wonder why Venom was always so one-note in the past. He used to be a bruiser and not much else, but when you put your mind to it, the symbiote can do a lot of cool things.
Gomez’s art continues to be detailed and flashy, with Frank D’Armata’s colors adding a nice sheen to everything. The fight with S.C.A.R. is particularly dynamic, featuring green gas and electric blasts that sporadically appear. Doc Ock’s goofy demeanor is also on full display, reminding us he’s comical in his madness.
As for gripes, they’re relatively minor. The larger cast and subplots make following a long arc difficult if you haven’t read the last few issues. One other thing is Flash’s “death,” which was never plausible.
All-New Venom #8 delivers a strong payoff issue with dynamic action, clever symbiote twists, and a scene-stealing Doc Ock. Al Ewing and Carlos Gomez continue to evolve the book into something far weirder, funnier, and more unpredictable than traditional Venom stories, and that’s a very good thing.
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