By: Charles Singh
Synopsis
In Venom #32 Eddie found himself trapped within the Symbiote Hive, Knull’s otherworldly base of operations. Despite flatlining in a previous issue, Venom entered the Symbiote Hive because of his genetic connection to Knull. After surveying his surroundings he realizes that many of his fallen allies are also in the hive held captive by the sinister construct.
Eddie lost his symbiote in the hive but luckily he finds his brothers in arms, veteran symbiote-user Rex Strickland and Flash Thompson aka Agent Venom. The trio joins forces to form a symbiote team like no other to stand against Knull. Even in death, Eddie Brock refuses to lose.
Meanwhile, outside the hive, Spider-Man convinces Eddie’s son Dylan Brock to fight against Knull’s forces after his father’s apparent death. Dylan possesses the same abilities as Knull and is seen as Earth’s last resort in the battle against the void. He uses his powers to destroy Captain America’s symbiote freeing The First Avenger.
Eddie discovers the nucleus of the hive, The God Hive, the center that connects all the universe’s symbiotes to Knull. The trio finds symbiotes who are untethered to Knull that have been captured. Eddie develops a plan to free the rogue symbiotes and help them join Earth’s resistance. Flash chooses to break the symbiotes free himself and makes a mad dash towards the symbiote containment objects. He frees a symbiote using a grenade and Knull cries out. Flash and the newly freed symbiote join together to possess a Grendel dragon forming an Anti-venom Grendel dragon.
The issue ends with Rex revealing himself to be Knull in disguise. Knull then grabs Eddie by the throat once again and mocks him. Earth now has a fighting chance thanks to Dylan’s efforts and Eddie’s plan. Can the Brocks defeat a God to save the ones they love? Or is the void inevitable?
Review:
Venom #33 finally turned the tide of a battle that has lasted for weeks. The King in Black event is Marvel’s biggest crossover event in some time including titles across all of Marvel Comics. It is meant to be lengthy by design. The tone has been dark and depressing because of the crushing defeats our heroes have experienced. This issue of Venom has finally brought some hope to readers (and to our heroes). Seeing Dylan destroy Captain America’s symbiote was a huge moment for the issue and the entire series. Dylan finally realizes the extent of his abilities and the training wheels are off.
Flash Thompson’s close call was epic. The Anti-venom Grendel Dragon symbiote is easily one of the coolest features of this entire run, including Symbiote Celestials. Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman have created an event that will go down in history. The Venom mythos is now richer than ever thanks to Cates. The God of Symbiotes has delivered and then some. This is definitely a hardcover I MUST own. Shaddap and take my money Marvel.
Grade:
5/5 Anti-venom dragons (and one high-pitched scream for good measure).
