Venom #17 drops the series right into “Absolute Carnage,” the event spreading from the Spider-Man titles. It’s also a follow-up in some ways to the one-shot Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety.

Venom is off with Spider-Man attempting to stop Carnage’s plan but that leaves his son/brother with the Maker. Yes, the Maker, the evil Reed Richards from the Ultimate Universe. Some of the issue is hinted at in Absolute Carnage #2, also out this week. And having read that first, I really wanted to know what happened in this issue. What’s entailed is pure action with a style that’s reminiscent of films of the 80s and 90s. Quips. Guns. And just solid action moments.

Writer Donny Cates delivers fantastic pacing and energy in this comic which is one piece of the bigger puzzle of the event. On its own, it doesn’t quite stand but in the bigger picture, it’s great. There’s a good mix of action cliches that just makes the comic work and makes it fun.

The art by Iban Coello is fantastic. The color from Rain Beredo and lettering by Clayton Cowles, it all comes together to really stand out and pop. There’s also some solid page layouts that are really interesting towards the beginning of the comic. Venom is a series as a whole that has consistently solid artwork to accompany fantastic writing.

Venom #17 is a great comic as part of the event. For those not checking that out, it doesn’t quite work. But, there’s still something to it in that being stalked/horror story way. Cates is consistently delivering an interesting Venom and even in an event tie-in finds new aspects to add depth to his world.

Story: Donny Cates Art: Iban Coello
Color: Rain Beredo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review