Venom #256 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 256th issue of Venom from Marvel Comics!
We’re now up to part 6 in the 9 part Death Spiral involving Spider-Man, Venom & Carnage! They’ve been on the the hunt for Torment, a new villain who’s obsessed with Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson & Eddie Brock’s families and also been killing them! After killing Eddie Brock’s father, he’s now turned his attention to Eddie Brock’s son! Just will our heroes be able to make it to save Dylan Brock in time? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Venom #256 by Al Ewing (Writer), Carlos Gomez (Artist), Frank D’Armata (Color Artist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Giuseppe Camuncoli & Frank Martin (Cover Artists)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
After the shocking conclusion to the last part of the story inside of The Amazing Spider-Man #25, I had some high expectations for this issue. We left off with Carnage trying to join with Torment, Eddie’s father is dead, and Torment was at the doorstep of Dylan Brock with ill intentions.
Al Ewing did a tremendous job with the story in this issue and continued to raise the stakes for everyone in the story. What Torment’s ultimate end goal is I’m not entirely sure, but one thing is for sure and that’s Torment is out to cause maximum chaos for Peter, Mary Jane & Eddie.
It’s an action packed issue from start to finish, and from the minute the story starts it does not let up until the very last page. It’s an issue that is sure to leave fans talking because it’s filled with moments that will leave you shocked but also possibly cheering. I really like how this storyline is focused on Spider-Man, Venom & Carnage and isn’t spilling out past their immediate friends/family. Could you possibly involve some other heroes associated with any of the three and it would make sense on a storytelling level. However the fact that the creative team has decided to keep it tightknit thus far is one of the hallmarks of this fantastic story.
I really liked the pace that Ewing set throughout the issue and that it went at a breakneck speed, while also not giving you any time to relax as a reader. It was the incredible pace that leads to the shocking ending of the issue that left me curious at what was going to happen next. Did I see it coming? I’ll say that I wasn’t surprised, but I wasn’t 100% certain it was actually going to occur. Now that it has, well there’s absolutely nothing good that can come from it. Now with only two more parts remaining in the storyline, it’s anyone’s guess what’s going to happen next.
The Artwork
Carlos Gomez & Frank D’Armata are in charge of the artwork for the issue and it’s just simply spectacular. The artwork matched the pace of the story masterfully and lead to some real stunning moments in the issue. It was one of the most action packed issues I’ve read in some time and the artwork was able to keep up with the pace and action. It’s a fantastic issue in every aspect of the artwork.
FINAL POINT: If you’ve been sleeping on the Death Spiral storyline, you’re absolutely missing on some of the best storytelling when it comes to Spider-Man in the last decade. Al Ewing has penned an early contender for best issue of the year. Together with artwork that is simply out of this world spectacular from Gomez & D’Armata it’s a masterful issue. This issue really does need to be at the top of your reading list this week.
Overall Grade: 10/10
