Venom #261: A Rampage A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Who would’ve thought that the Venom first and most formative arch nemesis was not Knull, not Spider-Man, but Doctor Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four? Those who know their Marvel comics history like the back of their hand, that’s who. Yes, the patriarch of Marvel’s first family is central to the alien symbiote’s villain origin story, as Al Ewing proves by venturing back in time to one of the original Black Suit Saga’s most iconic moments. The comic’s opening is an extended flashback to this, narrated from the modern perspective of the symbiote as it recalls its separation from Peter Parker, the only host it had ever known at that point.

Mr. Fantastic was key to the to the creature’s severing and containment, being the first human to discover its natural weakness to vibrations. Essentially in its species’ infancy, Venom experienced fear, hatred and betrayal for the first time in its life as Peter Parker turned his back on it, and the rest was history. Had it not been for Dr. Richards hasty actions in that moment, none of the Marvel universe’s extensive symbiote history would have occurred, a fact he himself admits towards the issue’s end.

None of this is retcon, as the events unfold just as the were depicted all those years ago. Instead, they are recontextualized into a much more somber story. A multitude of writers have spent the greater part of the past twenty years humanizing Venom into an empathetic figure of course, but Ewing’s approach here feels especially poignant, presenting a clear thesis statement on the character. When one stops to think about it, few comic book creations have had as grand and consistent a character arc as Venom, evolving from a vengeful monster incapable of speech to an ally, friend, father and saviour of the universe. And Ewing intends to make the reader realize it by showing that, just like the friendly neighborhood hero it once bonded with, Venom has perserved through loss, hardship and heartbreak.

It’s the perfect metaphor for childhood trauma and how it can come from flawed parental figures who never meant to hurt you, but did so by neglecting to consider your well-being. And what better person to serve that role than Reed Richards, known as a man who prioritizing logic and science over the feelings of his loved ones. It’s the opposite of character assassination; perfectly in line with the shortcomings Reed has always displayed. As many years pass and as much effort as Venom puts into improving itself, the fear and pain of that treatment will forever be a haunting presence manifesting as rage. When the symbiote lashes out, its not due to some monstrous nature, but because its remembering its scared, helpless childhood self. And its this refreshingly heart-wrenching approach to the familiar anti-hero that makes Venom #261 a must-read.