Venom: Space Knight, Vol. 1: Agent of the Cosmos

Venom: Space Knight

by Robbie Thompson, Ariel Olivetti (Illustrator)

Flash Thompson is many things. Soldier. Veteran. Double amputee. Guardian of the Galaxy. Host to a powerful yet newly tamed alien symbiote. Now Flash is tasked with being an intergalactic ambassador of Earth and an Agent of the Cosmos! Join Flash for high adventure in deep space as he swashbuckles his way across the universe! But as Venom travels the galaxy, helping the helpless and punishing the violent, he will go from Guardian to gladiator when he's made to fight in an alien arena. And when facing an emergency on a planet of volcanoes, how can he serve as a Space Knight when his symbiote suit of armor is afraid of fire? And when an enemy seeks to corrupt the symbiote, will this mark the return of the big bad Venom?

Collecting: Venom: Space Knight 1-6

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Spider Man, Comic Book

136 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2016

About the author

Comics writer.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. I've never really been a fan of the villainous Venom, especially not when they tried to turn him into an 'anti-hero', so when Brian Michael Bendis took the symbiote back to its home planet and had the other symbiotes heal Venom of his psychoses I thought it was a great idea!

Having Flash Thompson bonded to a 'healthy' symbiote, traveling through the cosmos as a galactic cop made for a really refreshing change. Also, Ariel Olivetti's artwork was nothing short of beautiful!

In short, if you're a fan of the psychotic, slavering, brain-eating Venom, this book probably isn't for you, but if, like me, you're happy to see the character taken in a whole new direction, this book was a blast.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flash Thompson is Venom, a character with two titles for some reason: Space Knight and Agent of the Cosmos! Here’s a third one: Weak Solo Character!

Flash (ah-ahhhh!) is superheroing around the universe without the Guardians of the Galaxy, fighting generic evil aliens and helping out a space panda find her space panda kid in a generic action hero storyline. Joining Flash (ah-ahhhh!) is a suicidal robot who’s definitely not a ripoff of Douglas Adams’ Marvin the Paranoid Android.

Besides writing a dull, unengaging and formulaic story, Robbie Thompson also writes Flash (ah-ahhhh!) like any other Marvel main character. He could be Star-Lord or Tony Stark or Peter Parker - Marvel really does have a type when it comes to leading men (same could be said about the movies).

I liked Ariel Olivetti’s polished, almost 3D-looking artwork a bit and the various alien worlds Flash (ah-ahhhh!) visited were visually beguiling but the narrative was boring and derivative. Venom continues to be an uninteresting character to read about.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a title that I was interested in in the least. So my eyes just moved over it, without any kind of awareness throughout adverts and solicitations. I finally noticed the book or the first issue about a week ago with a 99 cent offer on Comixology.

Loved it! Went and bought both books in paperback. Totally dug this first volume. Great space adventure story. Don't get a lot of those from Marvel. And this one's done right. With Ariel Olivetti turning in some of his warmest and endearing artwork I've yet seen from him. This is one gorgeous book!

I've never been much of a Venom fan but I rather enjoyed a bit of the Rick Remender series also with Flash Thompson. And I'm loving that Flash is still here in space post-Guardians. Love the concept of the Agents of the Cosmos. This series has a lot of fun potential. Can't wait to see where vol 2 takes us.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid and fun series. We get a very weak explanation of what the deal is with the Agents of the Cosmos, they basically hear voices that tell them people need help. But them it's on with the Space Knighting. I'd love to see them throw in what they can from the ROM series of the 80's. the book is pretty standard until the space panda shows up, then it's golden. Flash is definitely missing characters to play off of in most of the book. Trying to write a comic without any supporting cast is tricky. Ariel Olivetti's art is hit and miss with me. It's very static and I'm not sure how much I enjoy his 3D computer art, but it is extremely detailed.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather significantly better than I'd thought it would be. The stories are ok, but the characters and the dialog are fun. There's a space panda who will apparently be a regular cast member, which is almost worth a star on its own.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew in my life I always wanted some humor into my Venom stories.

I personally love Rick's and Donny's Venom runs but this one would probably fit nicely for 3rd place. This is about Flash Thompson becoming a Cosmic Knight. What's that? Well he doesn't know either but basically he uses the Venom to fight back against evil people. This is one big space adventure where we meet a giant talking Panda. I mean...can't get much weirder.

But see that's what works. This series is crazy, weird, and fun. Flash is spitting out one liners, which is weird at first, but somehow all works. It's also the most heroic Venom has probably ever been. This isn't to say he has control issues or anything with anger. I also enjoyed the talking Panda and the suicide robot. The villain was one note and boring though. Overall, fun cosmic world worth checking out. A 3.5 out of 5, I'll bump it to a 4.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]

Venom joined the Guardians of the Galaxy ages ago, hanging around in the background and not really contributing much (although more than Captain Marvel, but that's another story). The Planet of the Symbiotes storyline brought him to the fore however, and with his symbiote (actually a member of the alien race known as the Klyntar) now purged of all evil impulses, Flash Thompson takes on his new role as Agent of the Cosmos in his new ongoing series.

Writer Robbie Thompson has been making waves on Silk (which I really like), so seeing him tackle another Spider-character was always something to look forward to. He spends this first arc bringing together a supporting cast for Flash apart from the Guardians, including suicidal robot 803, a snake-haired warrior, and space pandas. Yes, space pandas. They are glorious, they are cuddly, and they will decapitate you if you hug them. You see the dilemma.

Most of this volume seems to be done-in-one stories, with Flash arriving on a planet needing help, beating up some bad guys and/or volcanoes, and then heading off. It's only in the final issue or two that everything comes into focus, and the real scope of the series is revealed. Along the way, Thompson builds the relationship between Flash and Venom, exploring Flash's current headspace and how he tackles his disability, and throwing in some pretty good jokes too.

Ariel Olivetti returns to Marvel for this series, and whilst his artwork is still very static, his design work for the varied alien locales that Flash travels to offsets that quite well. The colour palette his paints his work with his also very easy on the eye, and he handles Venom's shapechanging abilities very well too.

Not quite a Spider-Man book, and not quite a Guardians of the Galaxy book, Venom: Space Knight may have an ungainly title, but it's a good fun read with a lot of potential going forward. Robbie Thompson does it again.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good art, average space story...

[Shadowdenizen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally read as single issues.

[Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never could get into Flash Thompson as Venom

[Ant Tellez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6/5.0

This was definitely a fun new adventure for seeing a refreshing side of the symbiote that is Venom, but the story's progression and follow-through didn't feel all that exciting.

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the main takeaway from this book is that it is fun. Its very similar to like, 60's and 70's space explorer type stories where there are adventures abound, and somehow in the end, the good guy wins out against insurmountable odds.

Flash Thompson now has a more... "tamer" version of Venom as his symbiotic buddy, and they both go around the cosmos helping wherever they "hear" help being called for. Its a pretty flimsy explanation of what a "space knight" is and does, but if you can slide past that, then the book opens up to all kinds of interesting adventures. The characters are fun, even if they're murderous at times, and the action is humorous but violent enough to be entertaining.

Of course, the Olivetti art is amazing. I've always been a fan of his, and its really a pleasure to see him doing something where his imagination can run wild. The aliens in this book are unique and wildly detailed to the point where sometimes it looks computer generated. But looking closer, its just that sweet, sweet painterly style that Ariel is known for. Amazing art.

If I had to nitpick about the book, it's that, there isn't a real sense of danger for the most part. Flash takes things so casually that you never really feel that he is going to lose. He reminds me of the movie version of Peter Quill, but with MORE upbeat pep and optimism. Also, gladiator fight. Ugh, every other comic HAS to have a gladiator fight for some reason. Shame on your Robbie Thompson. Its only one issue though so not too bad.

I will definitely keep reading this to see where it goes, as it appears that there is some dangerous personality disorders making a reappearance soon (in the form of a certain sentient goo). And with all the new, lovable characters in one ship, that cant end too well for anyone.

Recommended for fans of fun space adventure stories.

[Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly fun book. Ever since reading his Silk run, I have been a big fan of Robbie Thompson's storytelling rhythm, and it works well with Olivetti's surgical art style. Speaking of the art, I do like it overall but some panels really took me out of the experience because of how much everything looked like a toy showcase.

[Katie Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Robbie Thompson and Venom fan, so this book was a no brainer for me. I'm also a huge support of when Marvel goes to space. There was snappy humor, great artwork and of course my favorite Venom, Flash Thompson!

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

At least it has some ok art.

[Scott Waldyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art by Ariel Olivetti is absolutely phenomenal. Some of my favorite art in comics as of late, and it really meshes well with the crazy space world of Venom: Space Knight.

The story is okay. Very predictable and serviceable. There's no real wow factor beyond the art, as this seems like a vehicle to keep Venom active and on shelves.

It's fun though overall. Worth a read if you're a fan or bored.

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Felt a lot like an old sci-fi, the cheesy kind :)
It was weird to have the symbiote silent for much of the volume.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprints Venom: Space Knight #1-6 (January 2016-June 2016). Flash Thompson has been travelling space as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. When he is contacted by a group called the Agents of the Cosmos, Flash and his Klyntar symbiote Venom find himself enlisted to right more wrongs around the galaxy…but being a hero means making enemies. With an agent named Lord Mercurio targeting Flash and his suicidal droid 803, Venom might have met his match!

Written by Robbie Thompson, Venom: Space Knight Volume 1: Agent of the Cosmos is a spin-off of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The collection features art by Ariel Olivetti.

Venom was huge when I was really starting to get into comics as a collector. If you bought something with Venom in it, it was like finding gold…especially as a kid. Venom was completely overplayed in the 1990s, and I lost interest in the character. While the Flash Thompson Venom kind of interested me, I didn’t read it…and this collection feels like a real throwback comic.

The series doesn’t have much meat to it, and in that sense, it feels like an older comic. Flash primarily jumps planet to planet for much of the collection and there is an over-arching Agents of Cosmos storyline that starts to develop. It doesn’t go far enough to be satisfying individual issues, but it also doesn’t feel like the larger storyline develops enough until the back half of this collection.

The second part of the collection does start to develop a rhythm with Flash teaming with the giant panda fighter Pik Rollo. It starts to develop a “team” for Flash and a supporting cast…something the series could use. Venom is a Spider-Man spin-off and part of what made Spider-Man great is that Peter had such a large supporting cast for stories and allowing interaction. Though Flash is part of the Guardians of the Galaxy, he’s pretty much left talking to the symbiote (and 803). It feels good to have potential “sidekicks” in the second half of this collection.

Ariel Olivetti definitely has a style. He has super realism (almost like a Norman Rockwell painting) mixed with painting and matte backgrounds that sometimes create a strange combination. I sometimes like his much more realistic face paintings, but sometimes I look at them and think more simplistic “comic book” drawings since the absurdity of comics don’t always mix well with realism.

Venom: Space Knight shows potential, but I can’t hang on to many comics today. With the threat of cancellation or relaunch facing most series, it hurts to “like” a series just to learn that it is cancelled in another issue, never happened because of a rewrite in comic continuity, or frankly out-prices itself for what it is. Venom: Space Knight feels like a comic that could be threatened by all of these outside factors…and that is a sad part of the comic book industry today. Venom: Space Knight 1: Agent of the Cosmos is followed by Venom: Space Knight 2: Enemies and Allies.

[Joseph Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This caught me by complete surprise! The story is pretty straight forward with some few twists that work well in the arc as Venom/Flash Thompson becomes an Agent of the Cosmos. The whole idea of the Agent of the Cosmos is touched on very vaguely but Robbie knew what he wanted this series to be about, which was over-the-top action with humor to match and it is executed excellently! This series is a combination (in my opinion) of Deadpool and Rick & Morty as you get witty/dumb humor with pop culture references and crazy space adventures with a whole lot of species & planets that give the galaxy life. The artwork is so well done as well, each page had brimming detail with a distinct style I can't really pinpoint but just admire. It's a fun read and mixes elements of everything I love (Deadpool, Venom, Rick & Morty, and a good ole laugh). This series doesn't take itself seriously and I love it for it.

[Scarred Wizard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This such an awesome book has haters? Kill me!

Decided to pick this up cause i love seeing him in action teaming up with the Guardians of the Galaxy by Brian Michael Bendis (man! That is an absolutely amazing comics!). This is an absolutely joy read! Fun, lots of actions, simple understanding story, beautiful beautiful artwork by Ariel Olivetti. Damn! He has such a gifted hand. Love all the details and realistic drawing.

Space galaxy adventure is not really my thing but this & GOTG by Bendis so far is making me change my mind. I recommend you to read this if you love some space opera adventure & love seeing Venom in action (this symbiote & his host fights a lot!). Although the host is a different guy, Flash Thompson a.k.a Agent Venom, but the symbiote thing is the same. I don't see a Venom fan will not loving this book. Unless you hate space galactic story.

Beautiful artwork & fun story. Highly recommended! 👏 👏

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

While casual fans will more than likely know the story of Eddie Brock and his villain/antihero story as Venom. However modern day fans will love this story that brings Flash Thompson’s time with the Venom symbiote into the forefront, showcasing the character’s potential for heroism in a whole new light. Delving more into the mythology surrounding the symbiotes, otherwise known as Klyntar, the first volume of this series brings Agent Venom’s space adventures to a whole new platform. Heeding a natural call to help those in distress across the galaxy, Venom soon learns that not only are there others like him in the universe, but there are those seeking to use Venom as a weapon, and both Flash and Venom must use their symbiotic nature to stop this new galactic threat before it’s too late. Fantastic artwork and a great new story make Venom shine brightly in the Marvel universe once more.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venom: Space Knight is a perfectly OK comic with good characterization and absolutely gorgeous art. The main thing holding it back? The episodic stories. Oh, there's an uber-villain causing all the problems, but as usual that trope provides the lightest of connections, and so we get picaresque stories, bouncing from one planet to another.

We do meet a variety of characters along the way, several of whom are fun, and as far our star ... well, there's kind of better characterization for the suit than for Flash, which is a bit of a surprise.

And as noted, the art is stunning.

Call it 3.5 stars, with things headed in an interesting direction due to Flash and his costume's development in the last few issues.

Sadly, there are no actual Space Knights: the title is just a play on words.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, It was campy in places but for the most part it was a fun space romp not that dissimilar to another guy called Flash, with a character I like. (My love of fun comics and Venom don't get to meet much) For the most time it kept the characterisation from the Remender run just without the crushing bleakness they could fall into (I like bleak but i like highs and lows in fiction) then again at times it went too far and Flash came off like they wanted him to become Deadpool in Space.

The thing that bugs me is the title, I understand that it was a copyright thing and fine if that's the plan go ahead but maybe somewhere in the first 6 issues noticeably use the term, Space Kight. Not saying every page just enough so it doesn't feel like a petty move.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Venom has joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, giving Flash and his symbiote a chance to fly around space! No longer a soldier or a superhero, he is a "space knight". What is a space knight? Basically just a superhero but, you know, spacey, with some tie to "The Force" or whatever not-Star Wars thing it is. "The cosmos". And what does he do? Go fight evil aliens while having dubious relationships with women and making references to Earth pop culture that none of the aliens understand or find funny. At least he gets a cool robot sidekick with a death wish, I love 803. And the art is nice, every panel looks like the cover to an old pulp space adventure and it's awesome.

[Jon Tully · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much. In fact, I had purposefully left this series out to dry in my all-things-Guardians related obsession.
Perhaps that's why the book was so surprising.
Thompson artfully crafts a narrative that is nuanced, that interweaves snatches of flashback with present while setting up future events.
The cast of characters (almost all new creations) was exciting; the struggles that both host and symbiote displayed were evocative; the art (handled by the talented Ariel Olivetti) was STUNNING.
I'll definitely pick up volume two, and so should you.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not the changes I was hoping for in a new Venom series. The changes to the symbiote, Venom's mission/role, and Venom's locale all smack of desperation. Literally nothing seems like Venom. Even Flash seemed too light-hearted. The story was cosmically silly. Ariel Ollivertti's art was both beautiful and ill-placed. The whole book seems like a story for another character. Overall, this isn't the Venom for me.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, I liked this. I'm not sure it makes sense for it to be Flash Thompson. If this had been, like, Richard Rider or pre-GotG Peter Quill or something, that would kind of make more sense.

And this symbiote is weird. The stuff in the later run that I thought was new was all done here!

Too bad we never really find out who the Agents of the Cosmos are?

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't very excited about this concept, but I have to say the quality surprised me. Venom traveling in space playing hero worked much better than I'd have thought, and the Ariel Olivetti art was great as always. The story flowed well and was a fun read. The concept didn't really catch on, but really I think this is an underrated series.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air. I was not fond of the Remender era of Venom with its unrelenting horror and meanness of spirit. When Cullen took over the previous series I was enjoying the turn before it was canceled. This feels like a nice continuation of that series.

[Guillermo García Rojas C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este título más parece un What If. Venom y sus aventuras en el espacio. El dibujo no me gustó para nada, la historia es muy rápida. Claramente es una historia de relleno para dar oportunidad a nuevos artistas.