Venom War (2024) #5 review: A good finale, but...

The story of Venom War (2024) has been set up since the events of Donny Cates' Venom all the way back in 2018 when readers were introduced to the concept of a symbiote god. After 35 issues from that saga, 5 issues from The King in Black, 39 issues of Al Ewing's Venom, and 4 issues of Venom War, (without taking into account all the tie-ins) we've arrived at the grand finale. A closing chapter in what has become a very complex and intricate story that's definitely not suited for newcomers. This play has no shortage of moving parts as multiple characters have their own motivations for what they do. So after all the setup and buildup, was the ending worth it? In short, yes. Absolutely. But it also has one major problem in that it feels a bit too simple for the story that attempted to tell.

Eddie and the Venom symbiote get a new beginning

Let's kick things off with the best thing about Venom War (2024) #5, and that is it's beyond fantastic art. Iban Coello and Carlos Nieto's work has been mostly flawless throughout the series, but here it just feels very dynamic and fast-paced without losing any of the intricate detail we've come to expect from them. Dare I say that these are the best illustrations found in any ongoing Spider-Man-related comic book, including Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) — a series that stands out thanks to Marco Checchetto's work? Well, yes. You can feel the strength in every punch, character expressions are spot on, and every panel is filled with so much detail it's almost unbelievable. Seriously, props to the pencilers for elevating this finale to a whole new level.

That said, not every single detail in Venom War (2024) #5 is as polished as its art. The issue does an amazing job of setting up what's to come in All-New Venom and Eddie Brock: Carnage. However, it fails to conclude a very intricate storyline in a satisfactory manner. The way Meridius is so easily taken out of the picture thanks to a simple distraction by Eddie Brock is underwhelming, to say the least. After a lot of setup, all we get is a quick fight between him and Dylan, and... that's it? He's just gone now? Bringing the whole saga to an end in just 24 pages was always going to be a tall order, but even then I feel like we could've gotten a little bit more. The way everything went down was too simplistic for the level of complexity we had in previous issues.

I would've also loved to see the Venom symbiote and Eddie Brock share a few words before parting ways. Yes, I know Eddie won't be Carnage forever, and Luke Cage won't take on the Venom mantle for too long. The two will eventually come back to each other like it's happened many times before. However, it wouldn't have hurt to see them share a brief moment before everything that's about to happen — especially since the symbiote says Eddie is its most beloved host (a mantle that was usually given to Flash Thompson in a few other stories). I believe all of these problems could've been solved if Venom War (2024) #5 had more pages. Mind you, the ending of Donny Cates' Venom had a whopping 80+ pages. And while it wasn't necessary to go to those extremes, perhaps a few more could've done the trick.

Not everything's bad, however, as Venom War (2024) #5 ends in a rather poetic way that feels like home. Eddie goes to a church moments before seemingly losing his life only to find a new beginning in the form of a symbiote. Except this time it's not Venom who will result from that bonding, but rather Carnage. It's a very interesting scenario, and I can't wait to see how it will all unfold. Besides, it's worth remembering the Venom symbiote will also bond with a brand-new host; a storyline that was also set up here. And what will happen to Dylan now that his father and alien friend are gone? Well, only time will tell.

Verdict: A good yet rushed finale

Venom War (2024) #5 does a fantastic job of setting up the storylines to come even if it comes at the cost of rushing through its own tale. Meridius is taken out of the picture so quickly and in such a simplistic way that it's a bit hard to enjoy. However, the issue's art is some of the best in any ongoing Spider-Man-related series, and the final panels are a poetic way of giving Eddie Brock a brand-new beginning. It may be an underwhelming way to culminate everything that's come before it, but it's a clear sign of amazing things to come.

All-New Venom (2024) #1 will be released on Dec. 04, 2024.