Spider-Man vs. Venom
Trade Paperback
Originally published as Amazing Spider-Man #300, 315-317 (1988)

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciller: Todd McFarlane

Spider-Man vs. Venom is a classic Spider-Man tale and representative of the best elements of the fantasy and myth of superheroes. Here, Peter Parker comes face to face with an opponent who is truly his equal and whose madness is nothing like anything he has encountered before -- pure hatred for Peter Parker and only Peter Parker.

This is arguably David Micheline's best work as he skillfully meshes Spider-Man continuinity with excellent plot and dialogue. The stories that occur in Spider-Man vs. Venom thread accurately with The Saga of the Black Costume and The Death of Jean DeWolff. Here, readers no longer encounter the immature and hesitant Peter Parker of Spider-Man vs. Wolverine. Readers will find only traces of the introspective but impulsive adventurer of the previous stories. Peter is now married and living a comfortable yuppie's life with his Cindy Crawford-model partner Mary Jane Watson.

Even as Spider-Man faces down the unrelenting savagery and power of the symbiote and Eddie Brock, his actions are premeditated and confident -- though he suddenly realizes with frightening clarity he is outclassed. And why not? Eddie Brock is Peter Parker's Moriarity. Venom is Murdoc to Spider-Man's MacGyver.

Before Venom was commercialized into a bad guy-turned-good guy and a cash cow for poorly written Limited Series', he was a murderer and Spider-Man's perfect antagonist (as opposed to the currently ballyooed Green Goblin). Although Bizarro wore Superman's costume, his appearance was not as twisted as Venom's chomping jaws and slavering tongue. Todd McFarlane infuses Venom with such malice Spider-Man and Venom's first encounter catches both readers and Peter off guard. Venom's obsession for Peter's death doesn't affect his efficiency and his guile, forcing even Spider-Man to seek help from the Fantastic Four.

Readers find Peter clearly fighting for his life for the first time in a long, long time. Readers who have followed his adventures know that second-stringers like Elektro or Doctor Octopus would never really literally kill Spider-Man. McFarlane and Michelinie convinces the reader bluntly and clearly Venom is not messing around (Venom suffocates a guard and a policeman in two of McFarlane's most chilling scenes).

The encounters between Peter and Eddie are physical, mental and psychological. The action scenes are arguably the most exciting in the Spider-Man mythos as Spider-Man attempts (and fails) to outwit his opponent. Finally, in the classic superhero manner, he overcomes Eddie Brock only through sheer determination and intelligence -- not the brute force exhibited in the comics and cartoons of today.

Although the TPB digresses into a brief story involving Aunt May's beau Nathan Lubsensky, it serves only to illustrate that Peter is a family man with responsibilities. Moreover, it's a perfect way to catch the reader unawares when Venom returns for a second round. David Michelinie, in his earlier work, never failed to consider continuity and readers will be delighted to see the Thing, the Black Cat and Doc Ock's psychiatrist Dr. Charles Jefferson in the book.

David Michelinie will always be long remembered for introducing Venom (and his lesser creation, Carnage) and though contemporary readers will note Todd McFarlane as the owner of McFarlane toys and the creator of Spawn, his true fame began when he pencilled this classic heroic encounter between a murderer and his prey.

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