Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Color Artists: Alex Sinclair & Pete Pantazis
Cover Artist: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
It’s the beginnig of a new story arc for Eddie Brock “Venom”. Last time, Eddie Brock supposedly died in an explosion, but was in fact hurtled through time and space thanks to his new symbiote powers all the way to a mysterious “garden” at the end of time. There he met other “Kings in Black” and their leader Meridius, who is the secret mastermind behind everything. Now, Eddie finds himself trapped in Meridius’ garden while trying to find his way back to his son in Venom #8.
Review:
Real quick, one thing I have to say is ignore the last part of the synopsis for this comic book. If this is your first time jumping into this Venom run, do not, I repeat, DO NOT START WITH THIS ISSUE. If anything, you will be only more confused and lost than if you if simply started with issue #1. Now, onto the review.
We finally get back to Eddie Brock and what he’s been up to in Meridius’ Garden, where he’s been trying to figure out what’s what there. Al Ewing takes over as the writer, which falls in line with past issues – Ram V writes Dylan’s story while Al Ewing writes Eddie’s story. This fits since Ewing has a knack for comic stories with out there, abstract cosmic ideas and characters and that’s on full display in this issue. The comic doesn’t really spend much time in the Garden and quickly gets Eddie out of there and into one of the last places you’d expect: a futuristic space opera battle.
That’s right, spaceships, laser guns, deadly advanced aliens, and mortal danger right around the corner. At least, there would be danger for anyone but Eddie Brock. Now, because of his unique state of being, he’s not in imminent danger, but there is still a thrilling suspense as Eddie tries to figure out what’s happening, what he can do, and all while fighting deadly futuristic enemies. Of course, the comic delivers the big confrontation between Venom and Kang the Conqueror, but it’s just as much an encounter as it is a fight.
The art by Bryan Hitch is on full display here as he and the colorists, Alex Sinclair and Pete Pantazis, get to go all the way and have fun with the character designs, action, and locations. Venom’s current look and new symbiote abilities get to be on cool display, Kang’s abilities actually look like advanced futuristic technology beyond modern day even by Marvel Comics’ standards. Everything and everyone looks cool in this comic.
Now, there’s the matter of the story as it might come off feeling weird as to why it sends Eddie Brock straight to the far future instead of closer to his time period. At its best, the comic will start off more like a weird misadventure that transitions into the first part of a new story arc with Kang the Conqueror of all people. However, don’t be fooled. This issue does deepen the bigger storyline in this Venom run in its own way, and we might be getting more of it in the next issue.
Final Thoughts:
Venom #8 is the beginning of a brand new story arc, this time focusing on Eddie Brock as Venom. The story starts with Eddie trying to figure out his new state of being than quickly shifts to a new time period that directly relates to Kang the Conqueror. The comic delivers the big confrontation between Venom and Kang while also deepening the main storyline in its own way.