Venom: Dark Origin #3 Published by: MARVEL Written by: Zeb Wells Art by: Angel Medina Release Date: October 1, 2008 Price: $2.99

Issue number three of Venom: Dark Origin is continuing the fall of Eddie Brock into the darkness that is Venom. I have been reading this mini-series since issue one, and I must say, I have been enjoying it.

This entire issue is Eddie obtaining the symbiote suit, and I thought it was done well. All 32 pages devoted to Eddie obtaining the suit, escaping with the suit, and discovering that the symbiote knows all the Spider-Man knew while it was bonded to him.

I have always felt that Venom was a flat character with no substance. It seemed he would just show up, try to kill or bond with Spider-Man for various reasons, then disappear. The thing is, though, is that I think we all forget that there is a man under the alien, and according to this telling of his life, a deeply troubled man. After all that happens to Eddie it brings to question whether or not all those evil things that Venom does is actually entirely the alien symbiote, or could some of it be the motivations of a man who feels he has been wronged by both Peter Parker and the mask he wears?

This has been a great reveal of Eddie Brock’s life and really adds some depth to the villain of Venom by showcasing the man bonded to the alien, not just the alien itself. This is a good read for Spider-Man fans who share the same view of Venom I did, and while it doesn’t necessarily rocket Venom to the top of my all time favorite Spidey foes, it certainly makes him a bit more interesting. Pick up the first 3 issues and find out more about Eddie Brock!

The feel good comic book of the year!-Slugtron