Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Carlos Gomez
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Adam Kubert & Laura Martin (Cover A)
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 4, 2025

Recap

Mary Jane Watson is the new host for Venom, as crazy as that might sound. They bonded out of necessity, not choice. If they hadn’t, MJ would’ve died. So far only a couple of people know the truth. At the end of last issue, Anti-Venom followed Venom back to MJ’s apartment and discovered she was the All-New Venom. Will he keep his promise to S.C.A.R. to bring Venom in for “reprocessing”?

LEGACY issue #246

Plot Summary

The issue opens with Ripcord and Doc Ock watching a video of Venom. Doc Ock isn’t happy that the symbiote appears to be acting more and more like Spider-Man. Ripcord doesn’t care about that. All she cares about is “reprocessing” Venom and all symbiotes and basically turning them into “fuel!” She warns Doc Ock not to let Anti-Venom know about this plan because she has leverage with him and also doesn’t trust him. Doc Ock dismisses Flash Thompson as “a dolt”, reminding us exactly who Anti-Venom is.

Flash and MJ are meeting up in Central Park. MJ tells Flash how happy she is to see him back (and alive) and we learn that Flash got his human body back thanks to Eddie Brock and “his King in Black mojo.” MJ forgives Flash for spying on her and finding out she is Venom. Then we hear that Venom-as-MJ had called Flash about taking in Dylan Brock. They’re worried about him and how connected he is to all things symbiote. Flash then tells MJ that S.C.A.R. have ordered him to bring Venom in or Dylan will be arrested. It’s a dilemma but they are working on a plan. Confused? I am, but that’s nothing new for me!

At MJ’s apartment, Dylan is dissing “Top Knot” Paul and this might be my favourite part of the issue: “I’ve got a name, Dylan.” Even though he’s supposed to be grounded, Dylan wants to stake out the Daily Bugle because he thinks either Robbie Robertson or Rick Jones is the new Venom host. Paul says Dylan can go as long as the Top Knot accompanies him.

In the Daily Bugle, Rick is suspicious as to why Robbie has decided on “no more Venom stories.” He doesn’t know Robbie knows the identity of the All-New Venom. Robbie brings up Rick’s recent memory lapses. He’s worried Rick might be hulking out, but Rick’s gamma tests are negative. Rick thinks he’s actually Venom but for some reason has no memory of bonding with the symbiote: “I know I’m Venom, Robbie. And I don’t even know I know it.”

In a burger shop across from the Bugle, Dylan and Paul are having a meal. Dylan mocks Paul for eating a “plant-based burger? You’re such a dweeb, Paul!” So true! Man, I like Dylan! They see Robbie and Rick exit the Bugle just as Venom drops from above and smashes into the ground. Rick looks amazed: “that’s Venom!” Proving it’s not him after all. It’s Anti-Venom attempting to bring Venom in. They fight and then some S.C.A.R. guards arrive to finish the job. Venom gets blasted with an energy weapon. Then in a shocking turn of events, Venom stabs Anti-Venom straight through the chest and drops him. Dylan, Paul and Robbie look on with shock! Rick is nowhere to be seen.

The scene shifts to North Brother Island, “now a holding site for dangerous alien symbiotes” and the home of S.C.A.R. We see Sleeper sneaking into the building. It’s Rick Jones and he’s planning a jailbreak while the Venom VS Anti-Venom fight is going down in the city. I’m thinking, wait a minute, he got there really fast… But whattya gonna do?! He meets Toxin inside the facility and is suddenly grabbed by one of Doc Ock’s tentacle-arms. And that’s where the issue ends. To be continued.

Sharp Points!

The character writing is good throughout the issue, especially between MJ and Flash and Dylan and “Top Knot” Paul. The fight scene between Venom and Anti-Venom feels like it has real stakes and delivers a shocking climax. Carlos Gomez can sure draw a great-looking Mary Jane!

Dull Points!

It’s still a bit of a stretch for me to get over the idea that Mary Jane would ever agree to bond with Venom after everything they’ve been through in the past. Some of the plot points are a bit convenient, especially the Rick Jones as Sleeper plot. How on earth did he get to the S.C.A.R. base so quickly?

Final Thoughts

Well, this was a lot more enjoyable than the last couple of issues, and that surprised me. My score has actually gone up since I talked about it with Weird Science Jim for his Marvel Podcast. The conversation between Mary Jane and Flash in Central Park was nicely done, especially when MJ kept switching between herself and Venom. Dylan’s banter with “Top Knot” Paul made me smile and the fight between Venom and Anti-Venom had real stakes.

7/10

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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.