Venom #1
Writer: Donny Cates
Pencils: Ryan Stegman
Ink: JP Mayer
Price: $4.99
Publisher: Marvel
Release Date: 05/09/18

An alien symbiote first bonded with our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, but when he realized that the symbiote wasn’t there to join, but to conquer, Spidey rejected it. Hurt and alone, the symbiote merged with the equally disgruntled Eddie Brock to become the ultimate anti-hero, Venom.

Donny Cates (God Country, Doctor Strange, Buzzkill) resurrects a new series of Venom titles, I assume to coincide with the upcoming theatrical release of the film of the same title. Yes, I know the movie is Sony, not Marvel. That doesn’t mean that Marvel can’t capitalize on comic revenue. Cates begins the latest Brock journey with the premise that the symbiotes have been around for far longer than anyone realized, and are even the basis for some legendary tales. In the meantime, Eddie is doing all that he can to keep Venom at bay, taking medication to quiet the beast, but of course those silent moments are short lived.  The lethal webslinger springs into action when Jack-O-Lantern causes trouble. During the confrontation, Venom is taken over by a truly alien force, which leads Eddie on a journey to discover the true nature of the extraterrestrial – and the knowledge that he is not alone.

Cates is a masterful creator and he continues that trend here with Venom #1. He and Stegman expertly convey the weariness of Eddie, the confusion over the possession of the symbiote, and the determination to find answers. Stegman’s art is sharp and full of details, from the symbiotes, to the violent action, to the despair of Brock. Stegman creates a world that is muddled in one frame, sharp as a razor in the next panel. His art is a slow burn that becomes a frenzy of action. The duo have created an interesting title that promises to provide some gripping action.

4.5 Anti-Psychotics out of 5