Venom #38

Recap
OLD MAN VENOM, a version of Dylan from a dystopian future, has arrived in the present to warn his younger self of an unforeseen catastrophic fate. To create a powerful weapon that would prevent this future, Old Man Venom went farther into the past to obtain the golden alloy of THE MOLTEN MAN. After siphoning the alloy, Old Man Venom met with DOCTOR STRANGE and convinced him to seek the demon CHTHON, whose power could forge the molten weapon. The two went to the “FLICKERING REALMS,” where nothing is as it seems…
Review
Torunn Gronbekk, having assembled the unlikely team of Doctor Strange and an elderly Dylan Brock, now whisks the duo away to one of the Marvel universe’s darker, creepier corners.These Flickering Realms, as they are called, are home to the demon lord Chthon, whose chaos magic is the second ingredient in Dylan’s recipe for a doomsday-preventing weapon. The two heroes have no choice but to brave whatever traps and tricks Chthon has laid along their path in the hopes that the dark sorcerer will be impressed enough to lend a helping hand.
For as much as Venom #38 and its preceding issue hype up Chthon as the ultimate deceiver, his motives and actions prove oddly straightforward. His psychological toying with Dylan begins without warning, and with Brock being so ignorant to the rules of magic, one would assume he’d be at an incredible disadvantage. But the dark sorcerer’s tactics are shallow as he torments his dystopian future and just a few jabs at his mommy and daddy issues. Chthon’s ultimate test is allowing Brock to choose between saving himself or two innocent children from death and Dylan, as most Marvel heroes would, valiantly sacrifices himself. The demon lord is apparently impressed by this outcome, enough to grant the old man’s request and send him on his way. It’s all so easy to comprehend and feels lacking in some sort of final act twist.
In that regard, the comic falters a bit, but comes much closer to embracing the bizarre with its inclusion of Chthon’s “daughters.” The blonde pair twins are, in reality, extensions of his own being who exist to be adorably unnerving. In exchange for their father’s help, the girls take payment from Dylan, not in physical possessions, but rather memories and emotions. The playful innocence with which they decide what to take is like picking out toys on the shelf, a delightful devilish sequence. Artists German Peralta and Cafu work in tandem to infuse these girls with so much expression and energy, bringing an excellent tone of mischief to the entire comic.
The same goes for every character rendered by their pencils, as well as the moody gothic atmosphere created through Frank D’Armata’s choice of color palette. Something should also be said about their tremendous portrayal of technology, as the half-symbiote half-machines which destroyed Dylan’s future have a very intimidating parasite design. With their bulbous heads and writhing masses of tentacles, they seem to be a loving homage to the machines of The Matrix trilogy. Even the massive rifle Dylan Brock wields is half-organic, sporting a circular mouth rimmed with teeth that spits out projectiles of any kind. Despite a few shortcomings, it’s these little details that keeps the spirit of adventure alive in this issue.
Final Thoughts
Venom #38 is not the most memorable outing for characters like Doctor Strange or Chthon, but it keeps the focus firmly planted where it counts: on old man Dylan's personal quest for redemption.
Venom #38: The Flickering Realms
- Writing - 7/107/10
- Storyline - 6/106/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10