Currently, Marvel is ramping up its Absolute Carnage event. Although that miniseries will wrap up by the end of the year, it sounds like the company has more plans for its other favorite symbiote. Via CBR, Marvel has begun teasing plans for Venom Island.
The story’s December start date suggests that it picks up immediately following the conclusion of Absolute Carnage; which features Venom and Spider-Man teaming up against Cletus Kasady. It’s also worth noting that Marvel announced Venom Island with a PR blast under the subject header, “Alas poor Venom.” Shakespeare fans will no doubt recognize this as a nod to the famous monologue from Hamlet: “Alas, poor Yorick!” The line is spoken by the title character while holding the dead court jester Yorick’s skull in his hands.
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A skull is also present in the first artwork for Venom Island, with the familiar symbiote dripping away. The story will take place in Marvel’s ongoing Venom series and comes from Absolute Carnage scribe Donny Cates and artist Mark Bagley, with a variant cover by Clayton Crain. Cates and artist Ryan Stegman previously used the Venom series to sow the seeds for Absolute Carnage.
Obviously, the Venom Island title calls to mind Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos’ Spider-Island event from 2011. The cover image also evokes the classic cover of Amazing Spider-Man #347; which featured Venom holding a skull he believed to be Spider-Man’s head. In that story, Venom willingly accepted confinement on a remote island because Spider-Man fooled him into believing he was dead. Perhaps the new story will bring Venom back to his old home.
Venom Island begins with Venom #21 this winter.
Do you have any additional theories about the upcoming story? Tell us what you think in the comment section!
Recommended Reading: Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 1: Rex
