review by justin anderson

the plot: Venom is going insane thanks to a virus. He's almost lost it. In the realm of insanity visited by so many, the Necromancer taunts him. This Necromancer is a murderer, and apparently admired Ghost Rider so much, took his form. Venom is now left to face the entity of Paranoia. In San Francisco, Juggernaut guards his hostage, waiting silently as his bosses tell him to sit still. He hates it. His hostage, Beck Underwood (who happens to be Venom's current girlfriend), sympathized with Juggernaut.

Venom, however, is being torn apart by bats and snakes. Only to find he can now grow claws, and defeats Paranoia, now that he no longer feels it. Necromancer attacks, only for Venom to destroy him. Finally, he faces Dusk, an entity that knows all heroes and villains are insane, and lives off it. Especially Wolverine and Spider-Man. Venom still defeats his madness, realizing that even if heroes are sometimes mad, they're right. The virus dies, leaving Venom back in reality.

The virus was the result of company experimentation. Experimentation which has led to kidnapping, and lies. Not to mention the death of an innocent, as Venom was inadvertently sent against the head of the company, only to kill a janitor by mistake.

Cops surround the apartment, but no one wants to move against Juggernaut. Except for Venom, who will gladly kill him. Back stops the fight, unwilling to see Venom kill again because of her. Juggernaut runs, leaving the two behind. After a quick discussion, Venom returns to the sewers to return the virus to where he found it, as his way to pay respect to it for what it showed him.

It's a revelation for Venom. He learns his two halves must work together, but Eddie must stay in control. He defeats his personal demons, and while he loses his lover, he gains a friend. We also see that Venom has a sense of honor, both against the virus, and his demons. He even lets Juggernaut live (and Venom could probably take him out).

the review: I love how Venom is drawn. The artistic style breaks from the old McFarlane design, taking more of a Sam Kieth approach. Which is why Venom, in this issue, reminds me of the Maxx. Venom has larger muscles, a bigger torso, and his face changes constantly, from his teeth disappearing, to his eyes taking new shapes, as opposed to the single face he often has.

They also add a bit of comedic scenery to the book, from Venom remarking on Wolverine's insanity, to the small rain cloud above his head as he hears his lover can no longer be his lover (not to mention, the sad, depressed look he's given in this panel is probably one we'll never see on his face again).

***** out of *****

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