Venom #1 (2016) – Comic Book Review & Breakdown 🕷️
Genre
🧬 Superhero, Horror, Action, Sci-Fi
“Venom #1” blends superhero storytelling with body horror, psychological tension, and gritty street-level crime drama—staying true to the franchise’s darker roots.
Main Characters
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Venom (Symbiote) – The sentient alien creature, once bonded with Eddie Brock, finds itself in search of a new host.
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Lee Price – A former Army Ranger with a troubled past, Price becomes the new host, bringing a more cold-blooded, tactical approach to the symbiote.
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Mac Gargan – The Scorpion and former Venom host who resurfaces as a threat.
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Black Cat – Now a criminal queenpin in NYC, Felicia Hardy plays a shadowy role in Venom’s reintroduction to the streets.
Writer
✍️ Mike Costa – Known for deep character exploration, Costa brings a calculated, morally complex take to the new Venom dynamic.
Artist
🎨 Gerardo Sandoval – His edgy, exaggerated style lends intensity and chaos to Venom’s brutal transformation scenes and urban warfare visuals.
Editor Details
🛠️ Devin Lewis (Editor)
As part of Marvel’s editorial team, Lewis ensures this relaunch blends classic Venom energy with a modern narrative approach.
Publisher and Brand
🏢 Marvel Comics
📚 Part of Marvel's Legacy branding but before Fresh Start initiative
This issue is a pivotal chapter in reviving Venom as a major standalone antihero, away from his recent cosmic adventures.
Release Year
📅 2016
Brief Plot Summary
After years in space as a cosmic force for good, the Venom symbiote returns to Earth—stripped of nobility and hungry for connection. It lands in the hands of Lee Price, a morally ambiguous ex-soldier who sees the symbiote not as a partner, but as a tool. As Lee merges with Venom, he rejects the idea of heroism, opting instead to weaponize the alien entity for personal gain. Unlike Eddie Brock’s emotional struggle with the symbiote, Price dominates it—creating a chilling dynamic between man and monster. 🕸️💥
Notable Arcs or Storylines
📖 The Price of Power – This arc follows Lee Price’s descent into villainy as he manipulates the symbiote, turning Venom into a colder, more calculating force.
📖 Rise of Black Cat’s Empire – Black Cat’s growing criminal empire intersects with Venom’s new path, setting the stage for future street-level clashes in NYC.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
🧠 Fans have speculated that Lee Price represents the antithesis of Eddie Brock—a man who doesn’t struggle with morality but embraces control. This host-symbiote imbalance has sparked theories about the long-term psychological damage to the symbiote itself, as it loses autonomy and identity. Some believe this era marks the beginning of a darker “symbiote rebellion” arc that culminates later in Donny Cates’ run.
Review Summary
⭐ Rating: 8/10
“Venom #1” (2016) reinvents the franchise with sharp writing and intense artwork. Mike Costa’s character-driven storytelling takes a bold risk by introducing a host who isn’t sympathetic—Lee Price is pragmatic, manipulative, and frightening. Gerardo Sandoval’s gritty, kinetic art style heightens the horror and action, making each page visually arresting. The symbiote's voice—once loud and emotional—is eerily subdued under Price’s control, giving the issue a sinister undertone. This isn’t your classic Venom... and that’s what makes it compelling. 🔥🕷️
📚 Whether you're a longtime symbiote fan or curious about Venom’s darker transformations, this issue is a must-read for those who enjoy morally grey antiheroes and shadowy urban storytelling.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
