Venom: Space Knight #5 is a perfectly adequate comic that seems to be fine with being just that. The galactic, open setting that Thompson has developed is underutilized in this story’s limited and generic plot, but strong action scenes and an interesting (and growing) cast of characters have made this series more interesting and readable despite its plateau.

Venom: Space Knight began with a lot of promise. Flash Thompson and his symbiote had developed an even stronger relationship in Guardians of the Galaxy and Venom: Space Knight looked like an opportunity for Robbie Thompson—whose work in Silk has been very impressive—to tell a character-driven, swashbuckling tale, mostly free from earthbound Marvel continuity. This seemed like the direction the comic was headed for the first few issues, but each one has fallen short of my lofty expectations. As previously mentioned, the series has plateaued, though a number of aspects remain strong, namely the rapport between Flash and his quickly-assembled supporting cast.

Flash’s crew currently consists of himself, his newly-sentient (on occasion) symbiote, suicidal robot 803, and the recently added space-panda, assassin Pik Rollo. If nothing else, Thompson has assembled a group of superbly unique characters (though 803 is fairly reminiscent of “Futurama’s” robots). The group has run afoul of space tyrant Mercurio, who most recently sent Pik to kill Flash, by using her child as a bargaining chip. Naturally, the charismatic football star/soldier/agent of the cosmos was able to convince Pik to join him and take down Mercurio together—which is where this issue picks up.

The most intriguing part of this issue occurs in the first few pages. Flash, speaking to his faithful robot 803 during physical therapy, discloses some personal information about his past behavior and the effect Spider-Man had on his change of attitude from high school bully to hero. Flash’s vulnerable, open characterization is consistent with Remender and Bunn’s series and even his appearances in Secret Avengers. This development feels like a natural continuation of his human story. Robbie Thompson’s work here has ranged from good to stunning, especially after Flash’s recent tenure as (essentially) wallpaper in Bendis’ Guardians of the Galaxy.

This welcome portrayal of a nuanced character has come at an expense of the overall plot and driving force for the comic. Flash is written with pathos and humor. He feels like a person inside a universe, rather than a set of characteristics on a page. This is something all writers should strive for, and Thompson pulls it off. Unfortunately, Flash is left without much to do with these developed characteristics, as the surrounding plot is a generic retread of familiar villains and circumstances.

The crux of this issue focuses on Flash and Pik’s confrontation with Mercurio, wherein things seem to go poorly for Flash. However, dialogue in the earlier portion of the book casts a very suspicious shadow on the book and, unless I’m highly mistaken, suggests that Flash and Pik have taken a page out of “The Dark Knight” or “Skyfall”—wherein getting captured is “part of the plan”—in order to save Pik’s child and defeat Mercurio. This is quickly becoming a trope that both major comic companies should avoid.

Venom: Space Knight also has the villain problem that many of Marvel’s books (and especially its movies) are burdened with, namely that he is bland. Mercurio just wants power—he wants Flash’s symbiote, Pik’s loyalty, and materials from subjugated plants. He doesn’t have much motivation beyond that. It’s odd to see this kind of one-dimensional, repetitive villain in a book that has gone to such lengths to focus on character building.

There is little to say about Ariel Olivetti’s art that I haven’t mentioned in my other reviews. If Olivetti is anything, it’s consistent. His excellent, otherworldly paintings render the characters in vibrant detail but cast the backgrounds as dull and drab in comparison. His paneling is showing improvement, as Flash and Pik’s fight scenes with Mercurio are fluid and well-organized.

Venom: Space Knight is at risk of becoming a meandering comic that squanders the excellent potential of its creative team and lead character. However, there is one more issue in this first arc, wherein Thompson’s writing could still surprise me and surpass my expectations. With a more solid foundation and perhaps some more risks, Flash’s journey through the cosmos has the potential to be the kind of fun, smart, and emotive cosmic comic that Marvel is severely lacking in its current line.