Venom #253: Unmasked

In the wake of Doctor Octopus’s humbling defeat, the ever-opportunistic Madame Masque has stepped up to become an even bigger thorn in Mary Jane’s side. Knowing the true identity of Venom’s new host, Masque has the secrets necessary to strike MJ where it hurts the most, only lacking the firepower to do so. So she makes quick work disposing of the hierarchy of power behind A.I.M. until an incarcerated M.O.D.O.K. finds himself with no successor and no choice but to appoint Masque interim director of his organization.

Shocking is the speedy and unceremonious way in which Venom #253 buries 3 familiar minor villains, not because they were beloved, but because their obscurity assures that their deaths will be long-term, perhaps even permanent. Marvel wasn’t getting much use out of Scientist Supreme or Monica Rappaccini, but any character dying so suddenly in a world filled with plot armor feels surprisingly impactful. But make no mistakes, this sequence of assassinations is a masterwork of dark comedy, from its quick pacing, to the repetitive dialogue of the oblivious victims, to Masque planting the same Looney Tunes dynamite bomb three times in a row.

Al Ewing’s funny bone is working overtime this issue, contrasting its serious stakes with gags the never let up. He throws more jabs at the ridiculousness of Paul Rabin’s character and how, unfortunately, he remains present in MJ’s life as her “guy in the chair.” There’s a whole chuckle worthy exchange that makes clever use of Mary Jane’s acting ability. And of course, this is all reinforced with Carlos Gomez’s visual gags, character quirks, and the overall light joyful quality of his art. It’s a different flavor of self-awareness than readers may be used to from the likes of Deadpool and Gwenpool; subtle and tongue-in-cheek, defacing the fourth wall while never breaking it.

The silliness is so effective that it mostly overshadows the drama, like the blossoming will-they-won’t-they romantic tension between MJ and Flash Thompson. But the action, as dynamic as ever, grounds the final pages just enough to prepare for all-out battle next issue, as Madame Masque has traded in femme fatale stealth for robot-powered fisticuffs.