Venom #18
Isaiah Hernandez
Recap
Exploited by the forces of Limbo, Eddie’s actions turned Dylan against him and left Eddie little more than a shadow of a husk of his former self. Stripped of all that he ever was, Eddie became trapped in a maze of his own making. But while fighting one of the kings of Limbo, Eddie, as Bedlam, was stabbed with the Soulsword, which tore asunder not only the monster, but also the human inside it.
Eddie’s soul continued to fall until it reached the very depths of the universe, where a giant, floating hand welcomed him…
Review
Without fail, every issue of Al Ewing’s Venom has managed to outdo the experimental writing of the last. Issue #18 is no different, with the poignant themes of power, corruption, and destiny versus free-will reaching a point of complexity that may make it divisive. The narrative has done a solid job of slowly peeling back its layers, revealing twists and turns at precise moments to keep things interesting. However, the man-versus-self conflict forming the comic’s backbone is becoming cyclical; Eddie Brock wallows in despair over his traumatic misfortune, regains the motivation to save his son and defeat Meridius and is then knocked into another void for further wallowing. Wash, rinse, and repeat.
Eddie has an eye-opening conversation with a god-like iteration of himself from the far future, but the topics being discussed create a serious sense of déjà vu. It is fun to witness a millennia-old Brock deliver lofty dialogue about fate and responsibility in his same casual new yorker dialect, but the revelations don’t quite pack the punch that they should. Venom purists, and those unfamiliar with the Beyonders, may be deterred by how intricately connected the symbiote has become to the mystical and cosmic sides of the Marvel universe. The puzzling and mind-bending elements of the story are intentional, but they may leave some fans longing for the simpler adventures of this street-smart ruffian and his alien accomplice.
Penciller Cafu and colorist Frank D’Armata take full advantage of the unbridled imagination inherent to this issue’s setting. The “Eventuality”, as this version of Eddie dubs himself, can conjure up any visual aid necessary to get his point across, and the art team ensures that he delivers one hell of a cosmic slideshow presentation. There are so many colorful visual metaphors and quick cameos present in each page. The Eventuality’s preferred form is a disembodied hand, and Cafu’s dynamic posing grants it abundant life and personality. Eddie undergoes a physical transformation throughout this issue, rebuilding his tired, broken body in preparation for a heroic comeback, and this uplifting moment for the character is perfectly conveyed without words.
Final Thoughts
Eddie Brock continues his trippy misadventure through time and space, but the length of the current story arc is beginning to weigh on the comic, threatening to veer it off course.
Venom #18: The Eventuality
- Writing - 7/107/10
- Storyline - 6/106/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10