Venom: First Host #5
Matthew David Clarke
Recap
Venom, M’Lanz and as it turns out Tel-Kar are surrounded in the Skrull bioweapons facility by Kree destroyers. The Kree are not interested in the Skrull weapon or any of the inhabitants of the facility and open fire. Tel-Kar is apparently still persona non grata. While he argues with the Kree, Venom and M’Lanz escape. The Kree destroy the facility.
M’Lanz drops Venom off in New York. Eddie is refused entry to Alchemax but runs into Harry Osborn and they go for a beer.
Back at Eddie’s flat - oh come on you know this bit! Tel-Kar has modified the plague to wipe out the human race and brought a vial of it with him. The new symbiote, Sleeper, catches the vial and the Venom symbiote shields its offspring.
Eddie tackles Tel-Kar through his window (that’ll come out of his deposit) but the Kree eventually gets the upper-hand, until Sleeper drops on his head…
Sleeper lobotomises Tel-Kar and takes control of his “brainless husk.” Even Eddie, to his credit, is uncomfortable with this. Sleeper leaves and Eddie returns to his apartment and to his symbiote.
Review
The $#14 has finally hit the fan and the opening pages are significantly more engaging for it. It’s predictable and we’re still being told what’s happening, but thankfully there’s less of that.
Unfortunately, the story loses its way for a few pages after the facility is destroyed. On the upside the exchange between Eddie and Harry is easily the most interesting piece of writing in the whole series.
Once again I feel like the artists weren’t given too much of interest to do, but maybe it’s also that they didn’t make the most of the material. There is a lot of pyrotechnics early on, but there still aren’t many real stand-out panels. That being said Sleeper’s amateur brain surgery was terrifying, both in terms of the concept and the “execution” so props to the whole team for that.
This is a comic book website, so I think you’ll forgive a bit of pedantry. Take a look at this panel:
Why is M’Lanz taking her suit off over the top of the symbiote? While we’re talking about plot-holes, what the hell happened to that bioweapon vial?! Is it still rattling around Eddie’s apartment or does Sleeper have it?! Somebody please call Nick Fury. I guess I’m relying on Dead or Gwenpool to read this as no one else appears to be able to get through that tricky fourth wall, though my wife’s always on the lookout for inter-dimensional portals…
Final Thoughts
It’s a mixed bag but ultimately a couple of high points aren’t enough to warrant a recommendation.
Venom: First Host #5 – It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
- Writing - 7/107/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 7.5/107.5/10
- Color - 7.5/107.5/10
- Cover Art - 7.5/107.5/10