Scan barcode
angelfoodcakes's reviews
119 reviews
Venom Vol. 6: King in Black by Donny Cates
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
As I said on my King in Black review, I read every single King in Black issue in order yet none of them came close to the writing in this book as well as the main King in Black book. I really loved the formatting of the two, with Venom being the story strictly from Eddie’s perspective and King in Black being the story as it’s happening on the outside. I will also say that I was thrilled to see Flash alive again.
On the other hand, however, I also said in my King in Black review that I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending and wish it had been drawn out a bit more, and that still extends to Venom’s ending but slightly less so. My issue with this book is more outside of the main story, though,I’m not sure how I feel about Dylan taking over as Venom. I’m also a little unsatisfied with the fact that no one outside of the Venom symbiote seems to be concerned with Eddie rapidly aging as a result of becoming the King in Black, and if they do we don’t see it. I’m holding out hope, however, that the next installments will still be good and I’m tentatively looking forward to where they take this. (Donny Cates I’ll miss you 🥲)
On the other hand, however, I also said in my King in Black review that I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending and wish it had been drawn out a bit more, and that still extends to Venom’s ending but slightly less so. My issue with this book is more outside of the main story, though,
King in Black by Donny Cates
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
So I spent the past two weeks reading every comic from the King in Black event and no matter how good the writing or art in other comics were none of them held a candle to Cates’s comics. I spent the entire time looking forward to reading another issue from King in Black or Venom (2018), maybe that’s just because those are the only comics where the main plot happens but I like to think it’s just because I love his writing. On top of that, Stegman’s art is genuinely stunning, with some truly incredible two-page spreads in this comic.
The only downside of this event to me is the ending feels slightly rushed. I’m sure it’s because Marvel has been trying to pump out event after event with no end in sight (the main Venom run was intersected by three events for fucks sake!) so this comic was limited to 5 issues. It’s the same with War of the Realms I think. Really the best way to go about such massive potentially world-ending events is to draw them out at least a little bit more than 5 issues.
The only downside of this event to me is the ending feels slightly rushed. I’m sure it’s because Marvel has been trying to pump out event after event with no end in sight (the main Venom run was intersected by three events for fucks sake!) so this comic was limited to 5 issues. It’s the same with War of the Realms I think. Really the best way to go about such massive potentially world-ending events is to draw them out at least a little bit more than 5 issues.
King in Black: Return of the Valkyries by Jason Aaron, Torunn Grønbekk
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
King in Black: Thunderbolts by Gerry Dugan, Matthew Rosenberg
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
King In Black: Namor by Kurt Busiek, Leinil Francis Yu
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Not my favorite. I think a major part of this is because while, yes, it is a part of the King in Black event, it feels so divorced from the main story of the event that I just don’t care about what’s happening. I’m not sure if i dislike it because of the sudden, jarring change in the middle of the event or just because I found the story boring.
Symbiote Spider-Man: King In Black by Peter David
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Venom by Donny Cates, Vol. 5: Venom Beyond by Donny Cates
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.75
Venom Island and Venom Beyond haven’t exactly been my favorite additions to this run, both of these arcs feel like they’re just waiting for King in Black to start instead of actual standalone stories. That being said, there are still some really great character moments in both of these books, and in Venom Beyond especially.
Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 3: Absolute Carnage by Donny Cates
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Absolute Carnage by
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75