Back in Jack
Venom #38 is a strong developmental issue, but it is not without it's flaws. Cullen Bunn continues to deliver a solid story, as Venom seems to literally have all of Philadelphia's underworld running him down. Bunn continues to use the dichotomy storytelling of action panels with narrative thought boxes expertly, as the story of Flash building up resources and an intelligence network in Philly, with Katy Kiernan's help, never has a dull moment as it is interwoven with Venom's nightly exploits of battering Lord Ogre's mercenaries and super-powered assassins. We get a better look at Andi as the issue opens, with an interesting scene with her father. As has been hinted at in the past several issues, she clears knows something is up with Flash Thompson, who is her High School gym class coach. She seeks fatherly advice, which her father admits he isn't very good at. It's interesting to look at, as you wonder where Andi's angsty, gloom and doom, pessimism stems from as her father seems to be the positively bright and sunny type. She decides to confront Flash, and gets thrown headlong into his war with Lord Ogre and his newest hired gun, Jack O'Lantern. What this leads to is an awesomely drawn fight that I won't ruin.
Speaking of the art, Kim Jacinto's work is what I would call a "mixed bag". He is absolutely great at depicting the chaotic savagery of a Venom fight. However, he normal person, everyday goings-on art is not my cup of tea. Their facial features seem exaggerated and they almost look evil half the time. I do, however, love how he depicts Venom as someone who fluctuates from his sleek, tactical, Special Ops look. Then he has a more spikey, wild look with the toothy mouth and tongue while still having the overall tactical look. And lastly there is what I would call the full "Venomed Out" look. His art is dark and gritty, perfectly matching the atmosphere of Venom, and the fights, like I said, are very well put together.
As I said at the start, there are some glaring flaws in this issue. Firstly, I count Jack returning already as a flaw. Jack is an established rogue to Venom. Anyone who followed Remender's run knows how Jack is a Joker-type villain that can't nearly match Flash physically (Flash knocked him out in one punch after being blown up with fire still all around him) but who's psychosis and unpredictability make him an emotional and moral challenge. This I feel was a wasted opportunity to introduce a new A-list rogue. What happened to Jagged Bow? Death Shield? Blood Spider? Lord Deathstrike? Constrictor? Last issue Flash tangled with them, and I'd hoped to see them expanded upon. We see Deathstrike and Constrictor, but only in fleeting single panels which we assume means Flash dispatches them easily. Flash could use a big name rogue besides Jack and Toxin. And continuing with Jack, what happens with Andi's father (I don't want to give it away but it is fairly predictable) I found to be a joke. Flash could have easily stopped it, but for silly plot purposes he doesn't. On top of that, we've seen Venom take sonic arrows, Toxin's vicious impalement, and fighting inside a raging fire (in this issue in fact, which it was pretty cool to see Flash resist that heat) but Jack's scythe slices him and gives him great pause. He rapidly healed from Toxin's initial blow in their second encounter that damn near gutted him, but Jack's scythe is that debilitating? I just don't buy it, and I have always hated when writers low ball characters (whether they be hero or villain) for plot purposes.
Oh, and there's what happens to Andi. Again, I am trying to not give much away but if you follow Venom you likely already know, and I personally don't like it. It's nothing against her character, but I have never been a sidekick fan. I've never liked when Batman has Robin at his side, and I don't like it here already. Venom, Flash, does not need a sidekick.
Overall I'd give this issue a 3.5, but there are no half-stars so I'm rounding to 4. It has more positives than negatives, and Jacinto's battle-art really saves this issue. My big gripe is them re-introducing Jack O'Lantern already, because I want Venom to grow and be someone who's got a varied enemy roster like Spider-Man. Speaking of Spidey, I found Flash's comparisons of himself to his icon to be quite humorous. I'd love for them to eventually have Flash have a super-hero conversation with Peter (REAL Peter) over heroing. Venom is a great title, and if you aren't reading it, well, you should be!
