Venom Modern Era Epic Collection, Vol. 6: Space Knight

Venom Modern Era Epic Collection

by Cullen Bunn

Flash Thompson, Agent of the Cosmos! If Venom and his new symbiotic sidekick, Mania, survive a war to save Philly from underworld boss Lord Ogre, Flash will have to confront his past as a bully and make a momentous decision about his future! Taking on a new mission as a Space Knight, Venom swashbuckles his way across the universe, helping the helpless and punishing the violent - until he's made to fight in an alien arena! Flash faces one surprising enemy when his symbiotic relationship with his Klyntar becomes one of hunter and prey - and then another as he returns to Earth just in time for CIVIL WAR II and a showdown with one of his oldest friends! Get ready for Venom vs. Spider-Man like you've never seen it before! Collecting VENOM (2011) #36-42 and VENOM: SPACE KNIGHT #1-13.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Spider Man

448 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2024

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book opens with the end of Bunn's run. I really enjoyed the newly introduced character of Mania, an off-shot Symbiote attached to a teenage girl that Flash begins to mentor. Their dynamic was a lot of fun. Getting to see Flash take on crime in Philadelphia was good ol' Superhero action, fighting criminals and mercenaries sent after him, while also working as a teacher during the day.

Unfortunately Bunn's run came to an end just as it felt like it was coming together. But that lead to...

Venom... in space!

Under the writer Robbie Thompson, Flash and Venom are fighting their way across the galaxy, and soon find themselves with a crew of their own. Classic space action as they deal with disasters and space pirates. The first arc sees Flash making his way across the universe helping out and making allies and enemies, leading to an epic battle. But before long, the sympiote begins to act up again, and a trip to Earth is necessary to fix it. Unfortunately Mania hasn't been doing to well. With her mentor being in out space, her inner demons (literally) are wreaking havoc.

This space drama was a lot of fun, with cute banter between the cast of characters and some sweet moments between Flash and Mania. Not your standard Venom story, but worth checking out.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I got this was for two reasons: I had read all of the Agent Venom/Flash Thompson up to this point and I got this for 50% off. It wasn't great, I think Venom has the most consistently mediocre series in Marvel. The art in Space Knight was awesome but that's about the only above average aspect of the collection. I never cared for Bunn's Venom and Robbie Thompson doing Space Knight felt way too rushed and plotless. The only good part was Venom rediscovering his rage but even that is just kinda glossed over in two issues. If you followed Agent Venom read this to finish the set if you want but I can't recommend this in good faith. Just was all over the place and left me wanting it to be over. Just go read Cates' Venom.

[Adrian Montanez · Rating 3 out of 5]

With this, I have now finished the whole Agent Venom Run. What a ride, the only thing I find wrong is the fact that it gives us a pretty lackluster history for the Klyntar. Thankfully Donny Cates' run does a fantastic job of fixing all of that and making it better.

I can confidently say that I prefer Cates King in Black run to the Agent Venom run. This is mostly due to the fact that it has one singular focus rather than the mishmash that is AV.

That said the biggest highlight in this book had to be Ariel Olivetti's art in Venom: Space Knight #1-7. Wow! That was gorgeous art!

[Dean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes. Objectively bad stories.
Olivetti's art is great especially on the aliens and alien worlds. I enjoyed their Punisher run but this is probably more their bag or it seems it is.

Jacinta and Silva art is stellar. Looks like Coipel. Don't buy this for the stories.