A NEW VISION OF TOXIN! Toxin is the offspring of the most dangerous symbiote in the history of the Marvel Universe: CARNAGE. But while Carnage and Cletus Kasady are separated and both devising machinations and plans of cosmic bloodshed and conquest, what has its progeny been doing? And will Dylan Brock or the Venom symbiote survive when they come face to face with this latest terrifying Toxin?! PLUS: Toxin isn't the only symbiote in this story who's unlike anything you've ever seen! The symbiote family is about to grow a little larger... and what's coming will change the continuing saga of the symbiotes FOREVER!
Rated T+
Venom #23 is a straightforward old-school team-up that unites to of the youngest symbiote hosts in the Marvel universe, setting up a brand new mystery and giving Dylan Brock an opportunity to grow as a character. Read Full Review
Venom #23 brings together a couple of symbiotes who haven't seen each other in a while – Venom and Toxin. Now, despite the cool cover, there's not that much action in the comic. Bren, the current host of Toxin, asks Dylan for help, they find the threat and take 'em down without much trouble. It's not a thrilling story, but the characters are well-written as they currently are, and the art compliments the symbiotes' designs. Read Full Review
A clear love for the look and feel of Venom and the world he inhabits is on display, with a special shout out to colorist Frank D'Armata for adding another layer of depth to it all. Read Full Review
'Venom' continues to be an oddly paced book, but there are some solid character moments and action here. The hints toward Grnbekk's upcoming run on the book are very exciting and feel appropriately moody. Read Full Review
The two previous writers on venom are two of my favorites and while I really like torunn grønbekk she is fairly new to me. This issue was absolutely phenomenal though and if this is the direction this book is going I couldn't be more excited!! The dialog was fantastic as was the artwork. What happens on the last page made me jump out of my seat with excitement! One of my favorite characters in the marvel universe who hasn't been used much of late meeting a new friend has me so elated! I absolutely love every single panel of this one!
At least the cover didn't have:
"THAT pose"
You know which one I mean.
I wasn't sure what to think with Grønbekk coming on this title and, seemingly, taking over for Ram V. as co-writer of this series with Al Ewing. I've stated before that I'd really like this series to just have Ewing on it, but I'm not completely opposed to having two co-writers if it's done well. While I did fairly enjoy this issue as a comic book, I can't help but feel as though it's a bit disconnected from the story that's been told in the previous twenty-two issues. I'm all for starting a new story arc, but it doesn't really feel as though we've reached a conclusion of the one seen in the previous issue. Hopefully this ends up connecting to what we've been getting from Ewing thus far.
It got a little more interesting towards the end. It started off very generic. Hopefully the writer that took over doesn't completely abandon what Al started.
It's another those issues where I like what's written, but don't like what the implications are.
I like Torunn. She is a very capable writer and her first issue on Venom as it's own is pretty good. I really liked her take on Dylan and Bren seemed okay.
However, this felt like Toxin #1 and not Venom #23. And having Black Widow becoming a new symbiote owner is also not something I'm not that interested. Especially since Ewing has been killing it with his own story.
The problem here isn't that Torunn took over Ram V after he left for DC. The problem is that this feels very disconnected and might hurt pacing even more.
That being said, I'm not giving up on this series. I just hope Torunn can connect more