Kid Venom #1
Illustrated by: Taigami
Cover Art by: Taigami
Written by: Taigami
Marvel Comics
2024
*Spoilers, slice it up any which way you like it..
EMBRACE YOUR INNER VENOM! JAPAN, 977. KID VENOM has made his presence known to the evil symbiotes taking people and creatures hostage… but who else has their eye on Kintaro and his symbiote? The world of KID VENOM expands as new characters and dangers are revealed! Breakout manga creator TAIGAMI continues his vision of KID VENOM in this brand-new series!
As I sit here locked up in my room with COVID, I can’t help but wonder if it’s me or if there’s something off about “Kid Venom #1.” Marvel Comics has given us a title that absolutely nobody has asked for, jumping out of the pages of “Death of The Venomverse #2.” We’re told to “embrace your inner Venom!” in Japan, 977, where Kid Venom has made his presence known to the evil symbiotes taking people and creatures hostage. The world of Kid Venom expands as new characters and dangers are revealed, and breakout manga creator Taigami continues his vision of Kid Venom in this brand-new series.
I genuinely question how many folks who read “Death of the Venomverse” found Kid Venom to be the most interesting of Venom characters. Is this title pre-Eddie Brock? Is Kintaro our first Venom? I mean, this is the year 977. Is this why this story isn’t about Dylan Brock? A Kid Venom series featuring Dylan Brock would have made more sense to me, but hey maybe that’s just me? At first glance, Kid Venom looks like Nightcrawler from the X-Men. If you want a clone of Kurt Wagner and just want to call it Kid Venom, sure, I guess so.
The story is a period piece set in medieval Japan. Some parts reminded me of cool things I’d see in old Tsui Hark Hong Kong films when I was a kid, while other parts made me want to feel some Lone Wolf & Cub vibes as Kintaro (Kid Venom) is somewhat like “Cub”—a kid who can occasionally help out in battle but is constantly under the eye of his elder. There’s nothing particularly special about this title, other than it being another Venom-related story that to me just looks like another Nightcrawler. The art isn’t extraordinary, the action is okay, but it’s not what you’d expect from a Venom title. Maybe Marvel was aiming this at a younger demographic, but I somehow doubt it. If you want to know more about “Kid Venom” and you can’t find an issue of “Death of The Venomverse #2” just look for “Kid Venom: Origins #1”
The book isn’t terrible, but this issue just wasn’t for me.
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