Venom, Volume 1: Rex

Venom: Rex by Donnie Cates is a graphic novel, which comprises the first six issues of the series. Venom was always a favorite villain of mine and it was both surprising and refreshing to see Venom transition from a notorious villain to a complex anti-hero.

Venom’s Transformation

In Venom: Rex, we witness a significant shift in the character dynamics as Venom, once Spider-Man’s nemesis, becomes attached to Eddie Brock, a former military man. While Venom occasionally struggles to maintain control, it is Eddie Brock who assumes the role of a superhero. Although I did read another graphic novel of Venom where he was a hero, this departure from the traditional villainous portrayal of Venom was a pleasant surprise, as it added a fresh layer of complexity to the character. This recent exploration of this transformation in Cates’ storyline continues to add depth to the character.

Unconventional Alliance

The narrative of Venom: Rex takes a thrilling turn when Venom, along with Spider-Man (Miles Morales), confront a colossal monster. This unexpected pairing highlights the complex history between Venom and Spider-Man, as Miles shares how Venom, or beings similar to him, had a detrimental impact on his parents. As the battle ensues, Venom manages to subdue the monster but something else emerges from it: a man named Knull. Knull is the original creator of the symbiotes, and he has come to Earth to reclaim his creations. Venom convinces Spider-Man to join forces against this even greater threat. This twist injects a fresh dynamic into the story, leaving readers eager to witness the outcome.

Delving into the Origins of Knull and the Symbiotes

The symbiotes themselves refer to Knull as their god, hinting at the immense power he possesses. The narrative takes a fascinating detour, exploring the backstory of Knull and the symbiotes, reaching back to a time before the Big Bang.

Knull’s clash with the Celestials, the creators of the universe, his creation of the symbiotes, and the origin of the first symbiote, a sword forged from a fallen Celestial, adds depth and mystique to the Venom mythology.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Possibilities

Considering the vast scope of the symbiote mythology introduced in “Venom Rex,” I wonder whether the Marvel Cinematic Universe will incorporate these elements into future films. While it’s uncertain at this point, it remains intriguing to contemplate the potential convergence of this storyline with the cinematic adaptations. The mythology’s rich narrative possibilities and the compelling characters could provide a fresh and captivating direction for the Marvel films.

Balancing Mythology with Characterization

While Venom: Rex presents a deeper mythology, the character development could have been more pronounced. The emotional connection to the characters, particularly Eddie Brock, felt somewhat lacking. However, given the action-driven nature of the story, it is understandable that the focus primarily rests on the symbiote mythology and the epic battles it engenders. Despite this, there is potential for future exploration of Eddie’s complex psyche and the symbiotic relationship he shares with Venom.

The Unveiling of Ever-Expanding Entities

A notable consideration for the “Venom” series moving forward is the introduction of increasingly powerful entities and their potential impact on the overall narrative. While it’s natural for creators to seek new and grandiose ideas, it is essential to maintain a balance and ensure that the storytelling remains coherent and purposeful. Let me say it in another way, as the MCU lore continues to expand, there is always some new being that we hadn’t heard about before is actually extremely powerful. At some point it has to get convoluted.

Though it’s one of my favorite anime shows, Dragon Ball Z does something similar. In one arc, we meet a villain who is the strongest ever. Then, in the next one, there was actually someone else all along who is. It’s still entertaining, but you realize that there was no set mythology from the beginning and the writers keep coming up with something to continue telling stories.

I digress, with the impressive groundwork laid in “Venom Rex,” it will be intriguing to observe how future installments handle these larger-than-life entities.

An Unconventional Narrative Approach

I also had concerns about a few narrative choices that could have been executed more effectively. One instance involves a lengthy monologue by the villain, Rex, explaining his background to the protagonists. While this provides essential backstory, the delivery through a monologue can feel somewhat contrived and might have benefited from a more natural or innovative approach. Additionally, the portrayal of Rex, the man existing before time resembling a white, blond-haired man raises concerns about reinforcing societal defaults and stereotypes. Though probably unintentional, it’s crucial to acknowledge and critique such representations for their broader impact.

Unearthing the Symbiote Origins

As touched on before, a strength of Venom: Rex is the deep dive into the origin stories of not just Venom but other symbiotes as well, including the infamous Carnage. Cates weaves a narrative that goes beyond the familiar symbiote lore, exploring the creation of these extraterrestrial beings and their ties to a powerful figure known as Knull, whom the symbiotes consider their creator and whose strength even rivals that of the ancient Celestials. This expansion of the Venom mythos adds an intriguing layer of history and depth to the story, making it an engaging read for fans eager to explore the symbiotes’ origins.

The Artistic Realm of Venom

The artwork in Venom: Rex deserves commendation, with its detailed illustrations that bring the symbiotic world to life. While the character development could have been stronger, the visuals and action sequences add excitement to the story, making it an engaging visual experience. The pacing is generally well-maintained, although at times, events unfold rapidly, requiring readers to keep up with the swift narrative progression.

Conclusion

As I concluded my journey through Venom: Rex, it became evident that this graphic novel’s strengths lie in its expansion of the symbiote mythology and the captivating visuals it offers. While character development and narrative execution could have been stronger, the overall reading experience was enjoyable, akin to a popcorn action movie. The exploration of Venom’s transformation into an anti-hero and the introduction of Knull and the symbiote origins leave readers intrigued and eager to see how this mythology unfolds. It remains to be seen whether the Marvel Cinematic Universe will incorporate these elements into future films, but for now, Venom: Rex provides an intriguing and worthwhile read for fans of Venom and those curious about the symbiote.