Stegman and Cates are the new Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. Cates is diving so deep into the mythos of Venom, just like Snyder did with Batman while Stegman's art captures the dark and fantastical of the character beautifully, just like Capullo did with the Dark Knight. Cates and Stegman are two of the best creative storytellers, and artistic geniuses in all of comics right now just like Snyder and Capullo were during DC's "Fresh Start" with the New 52. Read Full Review

As far as the various Venom series go, I have to say that this is my favorite Venom book so far. I really like the dark horror vibe that is going on and I hope that continues into future arcs too. Read Full Review

Venom #5 continues the series trend of being a true gem not just among the Big Two, but the industry as a whole. This is solely due to the immensely talented creative team, because if we're being honest, Venom as a character is clearly a product of 1980s and 1990s comics. As long as the team keeps up the good work, Eddie Brock may have finally found his place in the 21s century. Read Full Review

Needless to say, Venom #5 is pretty important. If the cover didn’t already convince you, I hope you’ll take my advice when I say that this book is worth every penny and every second of your time. It’s clearly a big moment for the Venom mythos, and one that makes me so glad to see in the November solicits that Donny Cates is continuing his work in the Venom corner. His run is one of Marvel’s best books on the shelves – top three for sure (and one of the other two is another Cates book.) Great progression for a character that’s been in a rut for so long, brought to life by an art team that always seals the deal; Venom #5 has absolutely got to be in your stack this week. Read Full Review

Venom #5 is another excellent addition to the series, one that again pushes Eddie Brock in unexpected directions. Read Full Review

Venom remains the cant miss series out of the Marvel Fresh Start relaunch and one of the most high quality books either of the big two comic companies are churning out on a monthly basis.  The layers to the character Venom continue to get pealed back in this issue, keeping this series as enjoyable as it's ever been. Ryan Stegman and company continue to make this book a must buy with nothing less than incredible art too. Read Full Review

A solid issue that sets up one hell of a mission for Venom. Read Full Review

Given how many fits and starts have been taken with Venom as a character over the past decade or so, you can’t help but be impressed with the level of craziness and the level of confidence this creative team has brought in just five issues. It would be easy to just position Eddie Brock as a shadow counterpart of Spider-Man, but there’s something much more additive going on thanks to Cates and Stegman’s ingenuity - by building upon the mythology of the symbiotes in such a wild way, they’re able to build upon both Venom as a character as well as the world around him, revitalizing a new corner of the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

This is a brave new era for Venom. Read Full Review

Venom #5 is another solid entry for Cates and Stegman, though I will admit that it slowed the story down just a tad. Read Full Review

This new Venom series continues to be a blast for those who love worldbuilding. Read Full Review

A decent facet of a larger story that has little merit of its own besides the art but just exists as a cog within the wheel. If it's on your pull you've already got it but if you don't I wouldn't consider it essential reading. Read Full Review

Tonally, I do think Cates is capable of nailing down that horror vibe I so desperately want from a book like Venom. Combined with Stegman's art, there are moments where Venom looks and acts like the monster he is. However, the deeper we dive into the story, I see less and less of that and more over the top comic book action. The story is starting to lose me, the revelations aren't all that exciting, and I just want Venom's encounter with Knull to end so that we can get a fresh start. Read Full Review

I love this book so much so well written and the art is so bad ass. Wish marvel printed on better quality paper.

This continues to be such an awesome and captivating story. Sure some stuff gets wild and very out there, but still plausible and entertaining enough to make me go "Wow" a few times in every issue. The art is just superb, especially in the big splash pages.

This series just keeps being so awesome. Great writing and artwork makes this a must-followed series.

Another fantastic issue. This series keeps delivering good stuff.

Holy shit, Venom can FLY?!

Powerhouse Team Hits Another One Out of The Park. Rex was not my favorite character, with that said he gets a nice send of so to speak. This Team again helps define Venom.

Fantastic. Impressive art and story.

This creative team is firing on all cylinders! Could be very silly but they make it work well! Great job!

This issue, Venom gets an upgrade. Yes, it's crazy. Yes, less than a year ago I would've called this silly. But Venom now has wings and it's so much fun.

Venom gets his wings, and that's just the first of the dramatic changes coming out of his contact with Knull. This is still a gorgeous and fascinating read, but this particular issue feels a little stretched out. The layered narration is complicated and, in some places, unintentionally confusing. The art is still full-bore awesome, and if #5 doesn't get to all-time greatness itself, it doesn't give us any reason to doubt that this volume will get right back up there in the future.

You really can't go wrong with Venom right now. Story is clicking and the art just tops it off. *** on a side note. Does anyone at Marvel know what to do with Miles. He is in this book as Spider-Man. You have him kind of transforming in Champions, Bendis undid the Spidey thing when he left and to top it off he gets an annual like a week or two ago with a new origin and still spidey. Very confused!

THE GOOD:

-For me the art was the best part. It was appealing and captured the tone of the issue really well.

-The twist with Rex was good and surprising and effective.

-I like Donny Cates' script although the overall plot has some problems, his writing isn't bad; it's actually quite good.

THE BAD:

-The narration is way too confusing with the symbiote, Eddie and Rex all talking internally at once, it adds a level of difficulty for readers.

-Spider-Man ended up being a bit of a throwaway, they just kind of left his character in a weird place. Unless in the next few issues, he is brought back and his character's story is properly confusing, his inclusion was practically all for nothing. For now though, it feels like they just left him off rather abruptly.

-The wings were too random and quickly introduced. No buildup, no nothing, just kind of there to help the main characters out of a sticky situation, as if Donny Cates had writers block.

-The issue itself ended pretty abruptly too. Only a minor problem though. more