All-New Venom #5 Delivers a Massive Cliffhanger, Opening the Series to All-New Possibilities (Review)

The true identity of All-New Venom was unveiled, but the surprise was somewhat ruined because it had already been leaked online earlier in the week. Marvel can’t be blamed for this as they didn’t control the leak. Despite the early revelation, fans are still eager to read All-New Venom #5 to understand the intricate details. At the core of all good Venom tales is a well-known Marvel character bonded with the Venom symbiote, which provides the foundation for these captivating stories.

Speaking directly about the subject, let’s discuss Mary Jane Watson, who has become our latest Venom. The primary issue I find with this new character is that it keeps readers guessing among four possible suspects, a bit like a cat-and-mouse game. It’s similar to when Jane Foster took on the role of Thor, though there wasn’t much hype around unveiling her identity beforehand. There were several potential candidates, and I happened to correctly predict it was Jane Foster. The storyline unfolds more intriguingly once the surprise is revealed, just like how things picked up when Jane Foster donned the Thor mantle.

Looking back through past issues of All-New Venom, astute fans might discern hints and indications that Mary Jane was concealed within the symbiote. The collaboration between Venom and Sleeper against M.O.D.O.K. was an enjoyable spectacle to witness unfold. The nurturing aspect of Venom/Mary Jane emerged during their interactions with Sleeper. Employing Robbie Robertson as the inquisitive journalist to unveil the truth was a clever tactic. I appreciate how Venom’s muscular form would vanish when fatigued, revealing that it was actually a slender individual serving as the host. The art team did an exceptional job portraying the various facets of Venom, while simultaneously making M.O.D.O.K. seem like a formidable adversary.

Over the past couple of years, Marvel has significantly altered Mary Jane’s character. Not too long ago, she was donning the costume as superhero Jackpot, but now she’s part of the Venomverse. It seems that Marvel should make up its mind about Mary Jane’s direction and stay consistent with it. She’s a cherished figure, and some fans might not be pleased with her gaining new powers again. However, this change allows MJ to move away from the damsel-in-distress stereotype. It’s clear she’s grown beyond that role. Being part of Venom, though, brings a great deal of responsibility and luggage.

It’s going to be thrilling to track the adventures of All-New Venom now that his secret has been revealed. In the future, we have Spider-Verse versus Venomverse lined up, so it looks like Mary Jane and Peter Parker will find themselves on opposite sides in this upcoming battle. Buckle up for some exciting times ahead!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Published by Marvel Comics

On April 2, 2025

Written by Al Ewing

Art by Carlos Gomez

Colors by Frank D’Armata

Letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles

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2025-04-02 17:14