Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Carlos Gomez
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Adam Kubert (Cover A)
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: May 7, 2025

Recap

In the previous issue, Mary Jane Watson was revealed to be the All-New Venom. Now we find out how it happened.

Plot Summary

*Content Warning!* – Be prepared for a LOT of Paul in this issue!

Mary Jane Watson and Venom sit down and tell the story of how they became linked. During the recent Venom War event, MJ’s Jackpot powers were being too random, so Venom removed the safety switch and the proverbial shit hit the fan. She ended up losing her skin, then having her bones grotesquely change shape, until finally she “rolled” three skulls and was about to die. Venom merged with MJ to save her life, but now they cannot separate or MJ is a goner.

There are a lot of scenes of Paul being obsessive and needy. He keeps snivelling about how much he needs MJ, how he can’t stand the thought of her and Venom being linked. He gets stroppy when MJ complains about how useless her random Jackpot powers are in a fight. And she is 100% right about this. Worst of all is when he starts whingeing about why him and MJ “aren’t intimate anymore.” At least I got a chuckle from MJ’s “whatever” reacton to all of this. She doesn’t seem to care. Maybe there is a god after all.

Venom is acting weird throughout the issue, although he seems happy sat next to MJ maintaining physical contact with her. Remember, they can no longer seperate or MJ will die. After their story is told, Robbie promises not to publish this story in the paper even though it’s huge. He does mention writing about it in his future memoirs, though.

The issue ends with Flash Thompson as Anti-Venom outside MJ’s apartment window calling her out for a fight.

Sharp Points

If, like me, you can’t stand the Nick-Lowe-self-insert-character Paul, then you might enjoy watching him squirm in this issue. Some of the art by Carlos Gomez is pretty good.

Dull Points

The whole premise of MJ agreeing to link with Venom is just crazy when you consider their history. She should hate Venom’s guts and very likely choose death over symbiosis with the symbiote. Also, there is way too much Paul in this issue. He comes across as pathetic and obsessively needy. I needed a shower to wash off the slime after reading it.

Final Thoughts

This is a truly bizarre comic book for so many reasons. Only an “All-New Mary Jane Watson” with her history and memories wiped clean would ever consider linking with Venom. Plus, I suffered an overdose of Paul in this issue. Not for the faint-hearted!

4/10

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About the reviewer: Wakizashi Gray has a YouTube channel where he reviews comics. It has the rather bizarre name of Wakizashi’s Teahouse. He also keeps a WordPress blog called Wakizashi Teahouse Blog.