Venom War #3: Seize Control

With the tension successfully brought to an apex in its preceding issue, writer Al Ewing and artist Iban Coello are free to let loose a new level of exhilarating theatrics in Venom War #3. There is action galore spread evenly throughout its twenty-seven pages with every fighter from Flexo to Spider-Man getting their little moment in the spotlight. Ewing displays a bit of tongue-in-cheek awareness in his use of the timeless “heroes fighting due to a misunderstanding” cliché, knowing when to pull Eddie Brock back from the edge of character assassination.

Regardless of how tired and confused the two of them may be, Eddie would never willingly raise a hand against his son, especially after crossing time and space to be back by Dylan’s side. Ewing understands this and has Eddie Brock stand down, a small calm-before-the-storm beat that shows his growth into a responsible father.

Alas, the power of cliché proves too compelling as Doctor Doom and Kang, the two megalomaniacs not seen in Venom for several issues now, arrive to bring their involvement in this story full-circle. Activating a form sleeper agent control over Flexo and Red Goblin respectively, the masterminds use their puppets to pull the trigger on Eddie Brock, leaving him injured on the floor as his symbiote followers rampage. Coello generously fills the panels with speed and impact lines, blurring limbs to show the true speed at which they are swung. The result is a convincingly heavy brawl complete with property damage galore. Doom and Kang fighting a proxy war through the symbiotes proves to be an entertaining premise, which makes it disappointing when Red Goblin and Flexo immediately fly their way out of the comic and into an upcoming tie-in.

Venom War still has plenty to offer though, as the Venom symbiote itself completes its character arc by overcoming its guilt to save both Dylan Eddie. It splits itself between them, turning father and son into the ultimate venomous duo and leaving the issue on a striking full-page spread.