Over the past few years, Venom fans have enjoyed the character in a variety of ways. A case in point is David Michelinie’s Venom: Separation Anxiety (a five-issue series) that details a “lost” story from Eddie Brock’s past. Although he’s no longer the King in Black or the All-New Venom, the justice-seeking hero continues to figure out where he fits into the Marvel Universe. The series takes on the Purple Man while offering classic Venom art, courtesy of Gerardo Sandoval.
Michelini and Sandoval use this miniseries to pit Venom against Purple Man, who is even more powerful with Venom’s symbiote. If you’re a fan who wants Eddie Brock back in his old form, this series will keep you entertained. Purple Man is also a creative way to loop in a Thing-like character that you can control and take on Venom. That includes Rhino. Someone who shows up again and again.
Venom: Separation Anxiety begins with Venom furious and wanting to kill Spider-Man for what he did to the symbiote. Mishkely does a good job establishing when this story took place before diving into the dubious research being done under the guise of government research. This research involves big-name supervillains, the main supervillain being Zebediah Kilgrave.
Look at those toes!
Credit: Marvel
This story does something a little different. Bonding with the classic character Betty Brant, Eddie returns to reporting as a photographer, but that is quickly abandoned as the issue progresses. That said, in one key scene, Eddie refuses to help her, reminding her that he won’t be going back to his old ways any time soon.
The first chapter suffers from over-the-top setup, but once the symbiote-powered Purple Man begins to move, the story becomes a race to stop him. Michelini ties the story to Doctor Doom’s abuse of the Purple Man and the device Doom used to control him. It’s like a respectful reinterpretation of that story.
I’m not going to lie – the idea of Purple Man and the symbiote is pretty cool. Imagine that power. Characters can make others do what they want. This concept keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially when Venom enters the frame.
Sandoval’s art is excellent and adds to the action and entertainment value. Whenever Venom appears on the page, he’s gigantic and gigantic, with lots of symbiote vines and branches growing out to enhance his alien nature. The way the mask digs into Eddie’s face with its jagged teeth is pretty cool, and Eddie has a brazen attitude. This Venom could take on the Hulk on a bad day. This is a version of Venom that will stroke your nostalgic side with lots of teeth and attitude.
Fans of classic Venom will enjoy the action, Eddie anxiety, and tricky symbiote action in Venom: Separation Anxiety. Purple Man getting a piece of the Venom symbiote adds enough variety to make this feel new enough, even if it’s reimagining an old story in the process . There’s no denying that this back-to-basics version is fun. It reminds you of your childhood when Venom was the enemy of all bullies with his toothy grin.
“Venom: Separation Anxiety – Purple in Purple” TPB Review
Venom: Separation Anxiety TPB
Fans of classic Venom will enjoy the action, Eddie anxiety, and tricky symbiote action in Venom: Separation Anxiety. Purple Man getting a piece of the Venom symbiote adds enough variety to make this feel new enough, even if it’s reimagining an old story in the process . There’s no denying that this back-to-basics version is fun. It reminds you of your childhood when Venom was the enemy of all bullies with his toothy grin.
Sandoval draws a giant, mean-looking venom
Killgrave, aka the Purple Man, is a very fascinating new take on the villain
Opening issues are usually hampered by slow-moving setup scenes
Considering it’s a prequel and a simpler Venom, the phrase “back to basics” clearly has its limits.
