A Spider-Man Podcast

Venom: Space Knight #3 – REVIEW

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Adopting a different approach from previous issues, Venom: Space Knight #3 operates as a stand-alone comic, further harkening back to the anthology format of the “Heavy Metal” film tone this series has adopted from the beginning. Writer Robbie Thompson’s strong scripting and dialogue proves that he’s established a much stronger grasp of the Flash character and ultimately leads to a much improved third outing for the series.

VenomSpaceKnight003-Preview-1-66c50For many reasons, Venom: Space Knight #3 would have operated as a stronger and more proper introductory issue to this series. It’s considerably more impressive, in almost every sense: the story is tight and clever, the alien/robot/space designs are inspired, and Flash’s interactions with his robotic companion bring an interesting dynamic to the series.

Here the story follows Flash’s efforts to stop an alien device from exploding a volcanic planet. Thus, Flash has to prove his mettle while wearing a space combat suit and separated from his symbiote (due to its fire vulnerability). Flash’s determination to save the cosmos (as vague as that is) combines with his natural inclination to do the right thing for a fun, concise story that shows the strengths of this series in full swashbuckling bravado.

There’s no pretending that Venom: Space Knight #3 is a groundbreaking comic, but it never sets its sights that high, nor should it. The way a story is told can sometimes matter more than the plot itself, and Thompson loads this issue with memorable dialogue, action sequences, and most importantly—fun.

Flash’s everyman approach to space is unique, despite the wealth of similar characters in Marvel’s cosmic stable. Robbie Thompson continues to bring a strong voice to the character while respecting and utilizing his varied history. The relationship developing between the fish out of water Flash and his depressed robotic companion 803 heightens Flash’s excitement for his new job. So many comics feature heroes treating their powers as a curse (even earlier incarnations of Flash as Venom) that someone enjoying his powers feels new.

VenomSpaceKnight003-Preview-2-5b6b8Ariel Olivetti’s art evokes science fiction art of ages past. His strong alien designs are highlighted in the very odd magma aliens that Flash rescues, though I was a bit disappointed with Flash’s counterpart’s design, as she’s just a regular Medusa. Compare her familiar design with some of the off-the-wall creatures from Venom: Space Knight #1 and she’s practically tame.

There are some aspects of this series on which I’m still a bit lukewarm: Venom’s mysterious guiding from the Klyntar (symbiote) hivemind is a weird hook that I think is unnecessary. Flash is a superhero, soldier, and a generally resourceful guy: I think he could be a space vigilante without getting jobs from his mysterious benefactors. But, it seems like that is one of Thompson’s premises and lingering mysteries for the series. Characters as enjoyable to read as Venom and 803 deserve a plot that flows a bit more naturally than receiving orders from a vague mysterious entity.

Venom: Space Knight finally finds some solid ground in the realm of fun space adventure, and it’s all the better for it. There is some lack of originality, and a light supporting cast (it’s still early), but Thompson and Olivetti are finally off to a good start. Now’s the time to start reading Venom: Space Knight as the next issue looks like it will contain a big fight between Venom and some sort of space lion in armor. ‘Natch.

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