Customer Reviews

Stan Lee Presents Spider-Man Vs. Venom

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The alien symbiote that was once Spiderman's costume but was rejected by him had bonded with Eddie Brock, a disgrunteled ex-reporter whose career came to a crashing end when a breakthrough story he did about a serial murderer named the Sin Eater that revealed the killers "true" identity was proven false when Spiderman brought in the real killer. Brock had planned to commit suicide, but prayed for forgiveness before he did. But at a church, the symbiote found him and bonded with him to create Venom, a homicidal monster who posessed all the same abilities and even more strength than Spiderman, and whose sole purpose was to kill the wallcrawler. David Michelline has written some of the finest Spiderman stories ever, and has created the ultamite villian. Everytime Venom would break loose, Spidy felt his life was in severe danger, and there was a big sense of dread. Since Venom was simply more powerful than Spiderman and Spidy could not hope to beat him in a straight fight, he'd have to use his brain to beat Venom. One of the greatest single issue Spiderman stories is issue300, reprinted in this book, shows one of the toughtest fights ever and the orgin of Venom. It is a shame years later Venom's character would get watered down, but all the Venom stories written by Michelline(300, 315-317, 332-333, 344-347, and 359-363) are all terrific, and no Spiderman fan should be without reading those. Plus, this book has great art by Todd McFarlane. And if you like this book, get the other Michelline/McFarlane issues(298-328) for some of the best Spiderman ever.

This graphic novel contains some scenes from Amazing Spider-Man # 298 and #299. It contains full Amazing Spider-Man # 300, 315, 316, and 317. It tells about the first issues of Venom. It contains one comic about the Hydro Man. If you like Venom then buy this.

Before I came to NY for the summer, I gave my fiance a number of graphic novels and TPBs that she could read. Sort of like introduce her to the concept of comics in general, before she gets shocked with the 10000 comic collection I own. The first character she loved was Spider-Man's biggest villain of them all. She loved his character, his attitude and that tongue of his (she thought Ghost Rider's flaming skull was cute, so go figure). It was only because of that, that I decided to check on Venom and his adventures. I have been a comic reader and collector for the past 10 years now and I wanted to first hand experience Spidey's attitude to the big man with the black costume. No one displayed that better than this book indeed.

This book is written by one of the most prolific writer of the Spidey mythos at the time, David Michelinie. His stories were strong, and really helped create and establish Venom as one of the major foes Spidey had to fend off against. The story spans different aspects of Venom and gives a brief, welcoming introduction of the character. His wit and sense of humor are just mildly explored here. Most of that would come later with the resurgence of his trying to protect the innocents attitude. When it comes to story-wise, this book was there. It was not powerful or thought provoking as the later relesed VENOM Returns, but is something worth delving into to truly understand the character and his relationship with Spider-Man.

The art is something else all together. Todd McFarlane just takes you on an adventure ride of a lifetime. The way he draws Spidey's physique during all his twists and turns is amazing. At that time, before the discovery of Mark Bagley or the return of John Romita Jr. to the foray, McFarlane was THE definitive Spidey artist, followed closely by Erik Larsen (who does an excellent job with VENOM Returns). McFarlane is able to bend Spidey and make him the most athletic person on the planet. His prowess, though, falls short when it comes to drawing people's faces. He does make them look good at times, but other, just too wrinkly, a bit inhuman you might say.

What I loved mostly about Spidey was his relationship with his wife, Mary Jane. As a newly engaged person, I can truly relate to how Peter Parker reacts to his wife's ups and downs. They are very compatible and reading them through makes you just feel good inside. With this, David Michelinie, makes Peter and MJ's relationship feel so real. This is the exact same magic that was set forth first when Spidey was first introduced in comicdom some 38 years ago. That's why people love the wallcrawler. They can relate to him and whatever happens to him can happen to anyone of us. Uhhmmm, apart from having a crazed guy wearing a black costume running after you wanting to eat your brains that is.

In the end, the book is classic Spidey. Very true to his mythos. The ending of the story is very abrupt and leaves you feeling the void, but you just can overlook it by picking up VENOM Returns right after it for some closure. Venom is done right. You can see and feel his slow transformation into madness. He starts off with straight teeth, then as the story progresses, they become longer and sharper. Fans of his famous tongue, though, should wait up, because his own is still tucked in nicely and not out wriggling in the open yet.

All in all, I know this would be an excellent gift to the one I love, knowing I couldn't forget her while I was away all this time.

Todd McFarlane took over the penciling chores on "Amazing Spider-Man" in March 1988, and quickly took the book straight to the top of the mountain as the #1 comic book in the industry. The reason why is contained within the pages of "Spider-Man vs. Venom", collecting two cameos from Venom in ASM #298 and #299, and then the epic first confrontation and return match between Spider-Man and Venom from ASM #300, 315, 316 and 317.

After seemingly destroying the alien symbiote he picked up during the Secret Wars, Spider-Man is dismayed to find out that the alien symbiote has not only survived, but has joined with someone who likewise shares an intense hatred of the superhero. The result is Venom, a monsterous opponent who has all of Spider-Man's strengths, can cancel out his spider-sense, and lives for only one purpose: The annihilation of Spider-Man. Far from the countless pretenders who have sought to kill Spider-Man, Venom is the one opponent who actually has the hatred and raw strength and savagery to get the job done. Spider-Man barely survives their first encounter after Venom overwhelms him with his massive strength and similar spider-powers, and Peter Parker realizes that he has to figure out a way to out-think Venom lest their second encounter lead to his death.

Writer David Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane created one of the most exciting Spider-Man adversaries in years, as well as one of the most talked-about and sought-after series of books in comics history. McFarlane's pencils are at their best here, and he takes to Spider-Man like a fish to water. Almost immediately he adds a visual flair to Spider-Man that hadn't been seen since the days of Lee/Romita. Likewise, Michelinie earns his kudos with the story arc he constructs, leaving the reader more on the edge of his proverbial seat with each successive issue, until finally the two adversaries meet in a fight which might ultimately lead to BOTH their destructions. If anyone wants to see what the big fuss was with Todd Mcfarlane's run on Spider-Man, THIS is the book to own.

Ir you're a fan of Todd McFarlane's art and you don't have this yet, what are you waiting for? This book contains Amazing Spider-Man #300 which is the first full appearance, origin of Venom, and his first fight with Spidey. It also has, I think, issues #315-317 which is the Venom rematch. Not really a great story but it's a good enough backdrop for McFarlane where he started to do his best work and this is full of some great pictures. I recommend this for Mcfarlane and Venom fans.

its ya boy caleb...on my moms account...just bought the book and love it...this book shows a couple pages of #298,#299, and all of #300,#315,#316,#316,#317...the beginning is awesome cuz it leads up to venom finding spider-man...and its chilling and spine tingling to see how ruthless and how vengeful he was against spidey...as the story moves on you see mary jane being a real trooper...and being such a great wife for peter...then the major battle happens...defenitly fun to watch...and makes you actually think "is spidey gonna get out of this"...it was awesome!...later it gets more tense...but im not going to spoil it for u...its an awesome book...not that big of a book...but its good...really good

this book is great.It has a lot of action.It frist shows spider-man in a black suit but later in the book he changes his suit to the famous blue,red, and white suit. it has a little of aunt may,lot of mary jane,lot of venom,and of course a lot of spider-man.you must buy this book.

The alien symbiote that was once Spiderman's costume but was rejected by him had bonded with Eddie Brock, a disgrunteled ex-reporter whose career came to a crashing end when a breakthrough story he did about a serial murderer named the Sin Eater that revealed the killers "true" identity was proven false when Spiderman brought in the real killer. i think eddie brock becoming antivemon is awesome.

This recoplilation of Mcfarlane's Spiderman colaboration, shows the origin of VENOM, and what Jim Lee did to X-men, Mcfalane did to Spiderman, he reinvented the "spagetti" web, he gave strong to the spider character, the draws are spectacular, and the plots are simple but interesting.