'ASM' #645 'Venom' Follow-Up: There's Life in the Symbiote Yet

Me am want to read Venom comic!

Why am I speaking like Bizarro? Because there’s no other logical reason that I can be excited for a book called Venom—I am clearly an inhabitant of the square backwards Bizarro World. But I am excited about the new Venom comic book by Rick Remender and Tony Moore.

Dan Slott wrote the first preview of the book in the follow up to the brilliant Amazing Spider-Man #654. Slott writes a one-shot featuring the new character as he teams up with Spider-Man before heading into his own book in March.

As you might already know, this take on the character has longtime Spidey supporting character Flash Thompson, and the web-head’s number one fan, putting on the famous symbiote under the guidance of the military who seem to believe they can control the beast. This was our first taste and so far I am pumped for this book—and I’m not a fan of Venom in the least!

Remender Presents Exciting New Spin on Former Spidey Nemesis

Like a song that has been overplayed, I have had a strong aversion to Venom for years. So it was with a great deal of surprise that I have found myself in anticipation of the new Rick Remender Venom title this March.

Remender and Marvel Senior Editor Steve Wacker had one of Marvel’s “Next Big Thing” press conferences last week to discuss the new ongoing and describe how this book is really set apart from what we have seen from the character in previous iterations, while still remaining true to fans of the symbiote.

The set-up is that the armed forces have found a way for Venom symbiote to be worn by a host for a series of days and can be removed before it takes over. The lucky guy who decides to wear the alien will go on Black Ops missions to prevent all hell from breaking loose.

'Venom' Ongoing by Remender and Moore in March

Venom is one of the characters that rose to stardom (and overexposure) while I wasn’t collecting comics during the darkest days of the 90’s. A new Venom is set to make his debut in Amazing Spider-Man 654.1 in Februay to be followed by the character’s own title by Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force and The Last Days of American Crime) and Tony Moore (Frankencastle).

Apparently the latest host is going to have control of the symbiote that has caused nothing but trouble for Peter Parker, Eddie Brock and Mac Gargan. With that track record it’s going to take a pretty big leap of faith that someone would actually say “Yeah, bond that sweet looking alien creature to my body.” However, I really like the character design (left)—it’s a more symmetrical Special-Ops version of the classic black and white Spider-Man costume.

Based on the newly released artwork I’m assuming the new host can control going from human form to full out muscle-bound Venom. Based on his work on Uncanny X-Force I have a feeling that Remender will be delivering a unique take on the former-villain. According to today’s official Press Release from Marvel, the new Venom will be a government agent responsible for thwarting planned threats against America.

So who is the new Venom? We’ll have to wait and see as the story unfolds in Amazing Spider-Man #654.1 (on sale February 9, 2011) and Venom #1 (on sale in March, 2011).