VENOM #12 cements this book's reputation as, quite possibly, the best Venom run ever written! Donny Cates delivers, yet again, a near-flawless script. Joshua Cassara replaces Ryan Stegman for this issue, but the quality sure doesn't change. Read Full Review

The arc ends as quickly as it started with no small amount of intrigue. This Venomless Venom arc will make a great TPB. Read Full Review

Eddie having a son opens up loads of storytelling possibilities, and I'm excited to see how it all moves forward. Especially after the way this issue ends. And don't get me wrong, superhero parents aren't unheard of, but Brock is by no means a superhero. Read Full Review

An emotional, yet anti-climactic conclusion to the Abyss story arc that could potentially be messed up by future events Read Full Review

Cates' Venom run started with action and heavy set pieces, then dove into some more emotional, internal struggles for Eddie and his Symbiote. That was a wise way to get us all invested, but that doesn't mean this slower, in-depth arc is any less fascinating. Read Full Review

If you're going to tweak things about a character that fans know and love, this is a good example of exercising control and not just covering the story in the spectacle. Too few storylines tie up this way anymore and Venom is all the better for it. It's a shame this is kind of sullied by the NEXT ISSUE: WAR OF THE REALMS text reminding us a solid, consistent book is about to be disrupted by a crossover event. Read Full Review

If you've been enjoying Cates run so far, you wont change your opinion after reading issue 12. I'm staying patient, but I am more than ready for Cates to get back to the tempo he had during the first six issue, the Rex arc. Read Full Review

An OK, and truthfully, jarring change to Eddie and the Venom symbiote's lives. Cates is doing his best with the story being told, it just isn't that interesting. Read Full Review

This issue asks the question who is Dylan’s father? I loved Cassara’s artwork and it was close enough to Stegmans master pieces. With Donnie taking a break from the arc for War of the Realms it’s going to be interesting to see where the story goes the next few months. This issue was another deep dive into the man Eddie wants to be and why he maybe never lived up to it before.

Poor everyone. Really interested in seeing how this affects War of the Realms... because everything I've seen about it feels like Eddie and the symbiote need to be together...

Eddie Brocks Baby Mama problems enter the fray. The concepts behinds his sons conception are interesting and set up new areas to explore. Art here is great, this series really has its style down even when it switches artists it always feels whole. Loved everything about this issue, only wished Eddie would have roughed his Dad up a bit more. Next up is a slew of tie in issues and I think Cates did this mandated transition in a way that totally fits in to what he has in mind.

Nooooo my shiiiiiiip.

The parentage of Dylan Brock is explained and Eddie's relationship with Venom changes drastically. It's an impressive storytelling performance and I dearly love the art. But the tone seems torn between treating the big twist as a shocking surprise or a foregone conclusion, ultimately making the compromise less satisfying than either extreme.

Great drama all around. Cates sets up the symbiote to go off for War of the Realms. Joshua Cassara is outstanding as usual and gives everyone great presence with his body positioning and facial expressions!

Not as strong as previous entries, but good enough. I felt like Stegman's art was even better this week than usual.

Can cates write a bad story? I'm not sure. Can Stegman draw a bad book? Not sure either.