After last month's Amazing Spider-man .1 issue, I was more than ready to watch Flash Thompson throw down as the new Venom. The issue filled in readers on what the new status quo for everyone's favorite tongue wagging symbiote, and the hows and whys as to Flash Thompson. Ever since losing his legs in the Iraq war, Peter Parker's former tormentor has been put through the paces emotionally, and the fact that the now government controlled symbiote gives him back the use of his legs definitely makes the reader feel for the character.
Rick Remender, the writer behind the phenomenal Uncanny X-Force, is scripting the book, and he really brings an action-packed issue to the table. The inclusion of a very badass Jack O'Lantern was not only surprising, but very cool as well. Remender definitely gave this jokey character a makeover in the B.A. department, and seeing him and Venom duke it out in the issue was one of the highlights (especially how Venom eventually defeats him).
Tony Moore, who worked with Remender in the past on Franken-Castle and drew the first Walking Dead arc, handles the pencils here, and his work is phenomenal. It has a very Todd McFarlane vibe that I feel works perfectly with the tone of the book. One panel in particular shows a very cool way of the symbiote being used in a firefight, which may be one of my favorite ones of the year.
Venom is a great first issue for not only new readers, but fans of the character as well. While the change may not last or appeal to all, you can't fault for Marvel at least doing something different with the character. This is an action-packed first issue, and I can't wait for the next!
Oh hey, Batman, Inc. long time no see. Just when you started getting going, you got hit with a delay, and to be honest, I kind of forgot that you were even around. This issue finds Bruce traveling to Argentina to enlist El Gaucho into his global Bat-force, and while it's a good issue, I'm starting to worry that Grant Morrison is going to start to get nonsensical again.
Batman and El Gaucho are trying to find three kidnapped blind children who are being held by a villainess named The Scorpion. Unfortunately the plot gets a little confusing as the issue bounces between the past and future, and also to some hidden force attacking a team of British Superheroes. I think. Of course whoever it is that they locked up and has "no chance of coming back" probably will in a future story in the series. There's also a scene between El Gaucho and Batman that becomes very confusing as it's not clear if Gaucho knows that Bruce Wayne is the actual Batman that is recruiting people. Yanick Paquette's art is just as good as ever, and I'm hoping that his issue was just a fluke. After a stellar opening, I'd hate to see the new "flagship" Batman title fall victim to the delays that plagued Return Of Bruce Wayne.
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