Venom #15 Review

After a month long team up against Hell, Venom is back to being about Venom and we are reminded of the sad life of Flash Thompson.

Venom #15

After Flash Thompson’s bravery while helping save the world from being overtaken by Hell, the US government and Captain America have decided he is not the threat they thought he was. Hank Pym and Henry McCoy find a way to subdue the Symbiote and keep it unattached to Flash when not in the field but little do they know that Venom has already bonded with Flash and that each time he uses it, he has less and less control. This is something that has been obvious each and every issue, you can’t have a book about a symbiote and it’s new host, and not have the internal struggle. This struggle though has lead to plenty of external struggle as well. Flash has had a drinking problem in the past, just like his recently deceased father, and his duties fighting crime as Venom have lead to what his friends and family think are week long drinking binges, and needless to say, the repercussions are severe. This isn’t something that is new to the series but Remender does a good job keeping the wounds fresh and having us sympathize with the position Flash has been put it. But hey at least the Avengers aren’t after him anymore.

As if this weren’t enough it looks like we have a new vigilante/villain. Someone is out and about killing off symbiotes one by one, symbiotes that otherwise I think have been forgotten about in the Marvel U, you could almost say this “new” character is Anti-Venom (hint, hint) This is a problem that flash is unaware of currently, but I’m sure we will see the two stories collide pretty soon here.

This issue changes artists again which, as always, annoys me but at least it isn’t a terrible artist. The issues story is a great setup. Flash’s professional life is much better off but his personal life is in shambles. He struggles for control over the symbiote and a new threat lurks around the corner, yet Flash still has some old threats to get rid of. This issue doesn’t do a whole lot to push things forward but it does read as a good jumping on point for people who haven’t been reading. This book has been consistently enjoyable month to month and I think this issue sets just enough pieces into place for some more enjoyment next month. What do you guys think? Will this impending class between Venom and inevitable new adversary be worth sticking around for?

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Tags: Rick Remender Spider-Man Venom