"Venom #32" Comic Review

Knull has taken over the planet and Eddie Brock has fallen. While what's left of Earth's heroes search for a backup plan, Eddie enters the afterlife and it's not what he expected. There's no bright light ushering him through pearly gates. Instead, it's a dark, gooey mess. It seems his consciousness is now part of Knull's hive, ready to be assimilated like everyone else the monster has taken in his reign. Eddie is unique though. He can fight back... and he's not alone.

Where King in Black has the big, bombastic action, Venom has been more of a personal character study. Eddie has never been “the guy.” He's not the hero. Now that he's a father, he's trying to be. That's what makes this so riveting. He's trying so hard to be a better person for the sake of his son, Dylan...and he failed on his first big chance to prove himself. That's so tragic and heartbreaking. It also gives Eddie the energy and fire to fight. He's not going to just get absorbed by the god of the symbiotes.

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Writer Donny Cates' run on Venom has completely transformed the mythos around the character and the symbiotes. This issue is no different. It opens the door to so many fascinating possibilities while also throwing the very idea of death out the window. That's not to say there isn't still danger, because it's looming around every turn. It's just that there are some loopholes about shuffling off this mortal coil.

Artist Iban Coello illustrates a frightening hellscape that Eddie has found himself in. It mirrors the current situation on Earth where Knull has covered the globe in symbiotes. This goo is draped over buildings and streets like a pulsing blanket of death. It even connects some of the panels, like alien cobwebs.

Colorist Jesus Aburtov paints a dreary landscape for Venom #32. The sky looks like it's on fire, contrasting with the pure darkness of the symbiotes on the ground. Reds pop on the page like veins full of blood.

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Coello's Brock is full of piss and vinegar. It's one thing to die, but it's quite another to be trapped in Knull's clutches. It's interesting to see his demeanor change from scared and confused to angry and vengeful.

Brock is guided through this space by an old friend, someone that dates back to the beginning of this series. At first this is a voice from afar, shown in caption boxes, like they're a voice in Brock's head. Letterer Clayton Cowles differentiates these with a different color and frame, making it easy to follow the conversation.

Venom is serving as a perfect complement to King in Black, which makes total sense, as they're written by the same guy and linked up story-wise. This is the quieter part of the big action seen on the planet's surface. It uses that event as a way to further Eddie Brock's story and the overall mythos around him in some pretty awesome ways. Plus, it has a fantastic cliffhanger that fans will absolutely eat up.