Another One Bites The Dust! — Reviewing ‘All-New Venom’ #4

Secrets. They are often a necessary thing in the world. Sometimes though, they just might be the most dangerous thing.

Especially when you don’t even know for sure if you’re carrying one around.

Another suspect gets crossed off the checklist, but not before a whole unexpected twist enters the chat. Nothing is quite what it seems as Al Ewing, Carlos Gómez, Frank D’Armata, and Clayton Cowles bring us one step closer to a Venomous reveal.

There is a particular flavor that tends to be found in most Ewing led books. Big concepts and character focuses, able to take unused Marvel concepts and spin gold with them. This book though stands apart from most of his former work. That’s not to say that it doesn’t still embody many of the typical Ewing traits.

It’s just pure off-the-wall comic book stuff.

And I’m loving every single bit of it.

Give me a giant spoon, because I’m ready to eat whatever Ewing serves here. Some cackling evil stuff from Madame Masque, all that silly M.O.D.O.K. madness, some scenery chewing from various characters, and an out of left field surprise reveal. There are some more solid down to Earth beats in the series to keep it from floating off. Even so, it’s all just chef kiss great comic book shenanigans.

Based on what happens at the end of this issue, I was totally off base with my Venom choice months ago. Guess I shouldn’t be betting on such things.

Everything is just so vivid, flashy, and lively under Gómez’s guidance. Visuals that scream superhero without losing any of their weight or edge. Light and smooth, letting everything glide across the page. The levels of depth and detail are off the charts, as there is a true presence felt everywhere. This is a world and a series of characters that you can almost feel them.

Pairing that with D’Armata’s glossy feeling color style really works. There is a color palette in use here that finds the middle ground for the scenery, while cranking everything else up to eleven and beyond. Finding that balance is likely not the easiest thing. Especially since the vivid giant colors here and the more realistic ones are so far apart. Except on this page, and in this circumstance, they feel truly connected.

If you forgot, I mentioned things are pretty wild in this issue. Quite a few characters with colorful vocal ranges and tones. Cowles brings them all together and gives them their power and due. Allowing every word to resonate and sink into the page. Creating the right volumes, tones, and intent for each utterance on the page. Even the time/location captions really exude the fun wild energy of the rest of the issue.

Honestly, I never thought I’d be having this much fun reading a Venom series. A tip of the cap to everyone involved. I’m hooked.

All-New Venom #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.