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Venom by Donny Cates, Vol. 2: The Abyss by Ryan Stegman, Donny Cates, Joshua Cassara, Iban Coello
saemiligr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Really good! This is rekindling my love of comics, had gotten tired after a while. Art is fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Child death
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
Venom Vol. 2: The Abyss continues Eddie Brock’s tale with a few emotional twists and turns that are sure to grab any reader’s attention. Donny Cates run has been one of the more heavily talked about Venom series out there (at least that I’ve heard). And that was more than enough to get me curious about what was going on in here.
The Abyss was dark, twisted, and just a little bit morbid. While it’s certainly a more introspective piece, there is still plenty of fighting for fans of the character (either of them, really). And a whole lot going on for Eddie to be dealing with.
Before I continue this review, I should probably mention one mistake I made. I accidentally picked Vol. 2 up first, instead of Vol. 1 (in my defense it was an easy mistake to make, if you don’t take the time to double-check the issues inside). Honestly though? It wasn’t that big of a deal. I’m absolutely going to go back and read the first volume, but I didn’t have much trouble following along with what was happening here. And I enjoyed it too much to even consider putting it down until I got my hands on the first half.
The Abyss was one heck of an intense read. I know I’ve been saying that a lot lately (but this is Marvel we’re talking about – they love going for intense plots) but it really does fit here. Eddie has to deal with some very serious subjects, including a dramatic reveal or two.
I honestly loved this plot. I’ve tried reading Venom in the past, but never really got into it. Having read this volume though, I can see why some people are such die-hard fans of the character(s). If there was more of this around I’d be reading it all the time!
It was fascinating watching Eddie Brock come to terms with a lot of what has happened or is happening. Alongside it he had to face the truth – and that means seeing the betrayals in his life for what they are. I was shocked by how moving these scenes were, truth be told. It is a side of Venom I had never seen before.
Finally, the disjointed storytelling worked really well here. There was a subplot running throughout the entire volume, in which Eddie was explaining his father’s hatred. By leaving those tendrils hanging, it allowed the readers to make assumptions, while also leaving us in doubt. It was an excellent example of this storytelling style.
I loved the artwork for The Abyss. Iban Coello, Ryan Stegman, and Joshua Cassara all did a great job of bringing the horrors and twists in this plot to life. And that’s actually pretty disturbing when you think about some of what happened in here.
There were several scenes that must have been difficult to depict here, and yet I think they did an excellent job of it. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Venom was being portrayed as more like an animal alongside Brock, than a being sharing the same space as him. It was the perfect visual for the turmoil their relationship is going through.
Now that I’ve finished The Abyss, it’s clear that I’m going to have to go back and read the first volume (Rex) because I don’t want to miss out on anything from this plot arc.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Abyss was dark, twisted, and just a little bit morbid. While it’s certainly a more introspective piece, there is still plenty of fighting for fans of the character (either of them, really). And a whole lot going on for Eddie to be dealing with.
Before I continue this review, I should probably mention one mistake I made. I accidentally picked Vol. 2 up first, instead of Vol. 1 (in my defense it was an easy mistake to make, if you don’t take the time to double-check the issues inside). Honestly though? It wasn’t that big of a deal. I’m absolutely going to go back and read the first volume, but I didn’t have much trouble following along with what was happening here. And I enjoyed it too much to even consider putting it down until I got my hands on the first half.
The Abyss was one heck of an intense read. I know I’ve been saying that a lot lately (but this is Marvel we’re talking about – they love going for intense plots) but it really does fit here. Eddie has to deal with some very serious subjects, including a dramatic reveal or two.
I honestly loved this plot. I’ve tried reading Venom in the past, but never really got into it. Having read this volume though, I can see why some people are such die-hard fans of the character(s). If there was more of this around I’d be reading it all the time!
It was fascinating watching Eddie Brock come to terms with a lot of what has happened or is happening. Alongside it he had to face the truth – and that means seeing the betrayals in his life for what they are. I was shocked by how moving these scenes were, truth be told. It is a side of Venom I had never seen before.
Finally, the disjointed storytelling worked really well here. There was a subplot running throughout the entire volume, in which Eddie was explaining his father’s hatred. By leaving those tendrils hanging, it allowed the readers to make assumptions, while also leaving us in doubt. It was an excellent example of this storytelling style.
I loved the artwork for The Abyss. Iban Coello, Ryan Stegman, and Joshua Cassara all did a great job of bringing the horrors and twists in this plot to life. And that’s actually pretty disturbing when you think about some of what happened in here.
There were several scenes that must have been difficult to depict here, and yet I think they did an excellent job of it. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Venom was being portrayed as more like an animal alongside Brock, than a being sharing the same space as him. It was the perfect visual for the turmoil their relationship is going through.
Now that I’ve finished The Abyss, it’s clear that I’m going to have to go back and read the first volume (Rex) because I don’t want to miss out on anything from this plot arc.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
nerdinthelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
Review also found on my blog.
1) Venom, Vol. 1: Rex ★★★★
content warnings: violence, gore, murder, child abuse, rape
This was a garbage fire. As you probably noticed, I really like Volume 1. I thought it was weird as fuck and unsettling in several parts, but it worked for me and I loved the ending. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Donny Cates really dug his own grave here. First, he decided to say a few months ago that he saw Eddie and the Symbiote's relationship as toxic, which, fine, it was back in the day, but nowadays not so much, at least in my opinion. I don't think we all took that as the warning it was that this man has no idea of what the relationship between these two characters is.
This volume started off strong, with a good mystery and the Most angst, but it very quickly went off the rails in a bad way. The worst part was that the plot represented could have been great. The idea of Eddie and the Symbiote both thinking that the other wants to be bonded to someone else and the lengths they'll go to in order to not be separated could have made a really interesting comic if it was in the hands of someone like Mike Costa, who understands the relationship between these two characters.
Instead we got this fucked up depiction of two people who don't even seem to care about each other by the end, at least not in a way beyond survival, with a weird twist about a kid who by the looks of it was the product of rape (which is so fucking dumb I don't even want to get into it).
Safe to say I will not be continuing with this particular series.
1) Venom, Vol. 1: Rex ★★★★
content warnings: violence, gore, murder, child abuse, rape
This was a garbage fire. As you probably noticed, I really like Volume 1. I thought it was weird as fuck and unsettling in several parts, but it worked for me and I loved the ending. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Donny Cates really dug his own grave here. First, he decided to say a few months ago that he saw Eddie and the Symbiote's relationship as toxic, which, fine, it was back in the day, but nowadays not so much, at least in my opinion. I don't think we all took that as the warning it was that this man has no idea of what the relationship between these two characters is.
This volume started off strong, with a good mystery and the Most angst, but it very quickly went off the rails in a bad way. The worst part was that the plot represented could have been great. The idea of Eddie and the Symbiote both thinking that the other wants to be bonded to someone else and the lengths they'll go to in order to not be separated could have made a really interesting comic if it was in the hands of someone like Mike Costa, who understands the relationship between these two characters.
Instead we got this fucked up depiction of two people who don't even seem to care about each other by the end, at least not in a way beyond survival, with a weird twist about a kid who by the looks of it was the product of rape (which is so fucking dumb I don't even want to get into it).
Safe to say I will not be continuing with this particular series.
roxcollector's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
grilledcheesesamurai's review against another edition
5.0
While this volume wasn't overly action-packed it was dark as fuck and I love what they did with the character.
Cates and Stegman are blowing me away with this book and it is easily my favorite comic from Marvel that comes out each month.
Cates and Stegman are blowing me away with this book and it is easily my favorite comic from Marvel that comes out each month.
tabman678's review against another edition
The book is totally Metal.
Art is great and how they’re adding to symbiote history is great.
I’ll be excitedly recommending this to anyone who shows an interest in Venom from her on out.
Art is great and how they’re adding to symbiote history is great.
I’ll be excitedly recommending this to anyone who shows an interest in Venom from her on out.
raccoonrae's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elessar's review
4.0
Après le premier arc très épique et mythologique qui élargissait l'univers symbiotique, Donny Cates propose ici quelque chose de plus intimiste, moins tape à l'oeil mais tout aussi riche et passionnant.
La série reste incontournable.
La série reste incontournable.
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