Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral — Body Count #1 Puts a Five Star Bow on the Latest Spidey Event (Review)

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Spider-Man fans are often quick to worry, especially since the 2007 storyline that ended Peter and MJ’s marriage. But recently, things have actually been going well for the character. The current run of The Amazing Spider-Man, written by Joe Kelly, is delivering strong stories that surpass previous work. Venom has also been surprisingly good, offering fun takes on Mary Jane as a superhero and plenty of drama surrounding the character Paul. Beyond the main series, there have been some excellent limited series, and the recent Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral event was an enjoyable story that even saw the long-awaited death of Paul, a widely disliked character. Now, with Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral – Body Count #1, this particular storyline comes to a close.

This single issue, created by Charles Soule and Kev Walker, reveals the backstory of the new villain, Torment, and brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. I expected a fairly average ending, but was pleasantly surprised by this excellent, villain-focused issue that felt like the perfect way to wrap things up.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Soule reveals one of the formative events of a great new villain
Walker’s art brings this story to life perfectly, capturing the chilling emotion of the story
A well-paced page turner that keeps you completely interested the whole time

Soule Digs Into the End of Torment

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this Charles Soule comic, as I haven’t always enjoyed his superhero work. While I like his other comics, like his independent titles and Star Wars books, his previous DC and Marvel superhero stories have been inconsistent. He’s written some good runs, like Daredevil and She-Hulk, but he also oversaw some questionable decisions with characters like Wolverine and the Inhumans series. However, Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral – Body Count #1 really impressed me. It’s a fantastic comic, and I found myself surprisingly engaged. Revealing a villain’s backstory at the end of the first issue was a risky move, but it definitely worked.

This issue grabs your attention immediately, then cleverly loops back to show us Torment’s encounter with a new victim. The flashback sequence is particularly well done and genuinely surprising. What’s great about this story is its accessibility – new readers can jump in with just this issue and still have a complete, satisfying experience, even if they haven’t followed the series before. It’s an unusual starting point, but it works incredibly well as a standalone story. The ending is strong because the issue, and the story as a whole, effectively builds up Torment’s character, motivations, and hints at exciting possibilities for his future. It’s a nearly perfect comic that completely exceeded my expectations.

Walker’s Art Shouldn’t Work for This Story but It Turns Out to Be Perfect for It

I’m a fan of Kev Walker’s work, so I was pleased to see him credited on this book. Initially, after just a few pages, I questioned if he was the right fit for such a dark story. However, the rest of the issue proved me wrong. Walker’s been busy with Marvel lately, and it’s easy to see why. While his style might not immediately seem suitable for a grim tale, it quickly becomes clear that it works perfectly. His detailed and expressive artwork, particularly his strong depictions of characters, really enhances the story.

This comic isn’t focused on action-packed battles. Instead, it’s a strong character study where the artwork truly shines. The story relies on emotional impact, and the artist, Walker, handles that beautifully. His portrayal of the characters is incredibly convincing, making every scene feel real. He depicts the character Torment as wonderfully terrifying – many artists have drawn him before, but Walker’s version perfectly captures the monster within.

I have to say, Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral – Body Count #1 really blew me away! It not only wrapped up the whole ‘Death Spiral’ event perfectly, but it also worked brilliantly as a standalone issue. Honestly, the creators, Soule and Walker, could have played it safe and delivered something decent, but they went above and beyond – it was fantastic!

Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral – Body Count #1 is on sale now.

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2026-05-13 17:15