I picked up Web of Venom curious about the new symbiote host — someone Spider-Man and Peter Parker know. I was hoping for Flash Thompson. What I got was Boomerang. Here’s why I enjoyed it despite my doubts.
I read Web of Venom because I was curious about what Marvel had teased: the new symbiote host is someone who Spider-Man and Peter Parker know. I was hoping for Flash Thompson.
I was surprised by who the new hero actually is — and I enjoyed reading the issue. I also immensely enjoyed the art of Luke Ross and Ramon Rosanas.
My Hesitations Before Reading
Here’s why I was of two minds going in:
Despite the title Web of Venom, there’s already someone calling themselves Venom — and it’s Mary Jane.
The outfit the new hero wears is similar to Spider‑Man’s red and blue suit. We already have too many heroes with similar outfits and powers.
The appearance of the new hero looked like Venom deciding to wear a Spider‑Man outfit.
It all felt like gimmicks to hook you — and I admit, they hooked me.
The Good Part
Then I read the comic — and this is where it gets good.
Jordan Morris has written a very good first issue. He takes you immediately to the point and reveals that the new hero is actually Boomerang — and what led him to become a symbiote host. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait several issues to find out.
We see Boomerang’s mindset: he wants to escape from all the big shots and live low‑key. I’m a fan of Boomerang, and I’m glad Marvel brought him to the forefront again. I just hope they keep him there and give more emphasis on who he is — not just a Spider‑Man replica.
Art & Colours
I loved the detailed art from Luke Ross and Ramon Rosanas. It was filled with good storytelling — big panels with action scenes, and simple quieter ones too. The colours from Svid Curiel were perfect.
Final Thoughts
It’s a well‑rounded comic. I would have preferred it to be called Boomerang, but calling it Web of Venom might bring in new readers. And if the quality of the story hooks them, the title might actually stand a chance of not being canceled in the near future.
Either way, I’ll stick around for the story and the art.
I avoided reading the most recent X-Force title because I didn’t enjoy the one before it. I hadn’t read an X-Force comic since John Francis Moore left the original series, which must have been back in 1997.
I started reading X-Force for the chance to follow several of my favorite heroes from the New Mutants. I grew to love the series, especially John Francis Moore and Adam Pollina’s run, but after they left I dropped the comic and never read any of the following versions.
When they announced that Forge, Sage, and Surge would be part of the new X-Force, I thought this would be my chance to get back into it—I’d always believed those three would make excellent team members. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy that comic.
So, when they announced Inglorious X-Force, I was of two minds. Still, I gave #1 a chance just for Boom Boom and Cable, and I’m so glad I did.
Tim Seeley not only knows these characters, he knows his Marvel Universe history. He integrates the story with the rest of the Marvel universe in a fresh and interesting way, just like in the good old days.
The interactions are spot on and believable because each hero stays true to what I know of them. I might not be a fan of Archangel, Hellverine, especially Ms. Marvel being part of the team, but the way they all interact with each other and how the story unfolds makes it worth reading.
I think X-Force will once again become my favorite comic. I’ve read all three issues and can’t wait for the next one—highly suggested and highly enjoyable.
buying loads of comics is like being a kid in candy store
I know most of your prefer the prints over the digital version of comics, but come on if you get a chance to read a comic book does it really matter in what format it is?
I don’t, I do love prints and all the deluxe editions, they are amazing but for me lately its all about reading comics and especially in a good price.
Thankfully comiXology is making a lot of offers from very big discounts to free comics.
From the previous week up to today this is what I have purchased.
First up from the House of Ideas I got eleven FREE comics, I’m a huge Marvel fan boy. This is the second time Marvel has made this offer and I’m so glad that they have. It gives me the opportunity to pick up collected editions which I never would and if I like them I can purchase the following volumes, which I have already done.
Then the following two comics I bought with a code, buy one and get one for free
I had gotten Jason Aaron’s Avengers vol 1 for free and the following three volumes with a discount so I was eager to get the next volume too. So with the offer I mentioned before I bought volume 5 and I got Daredevil vol 3 from Chip Zdarsky for free, so cool.
Last but not least I was so glad that issue 10 of Marauders had come out. Yes I’m a big X-Men fan and from all the current X-titles I enjoy Marauders the most!
That was enough of Marvel, next I browsed through another type of comics lets say the European style form Humanoids.
Humanoids has published some of the best comics and this time for 1,09€ you had the chance to buy volumes and volumes of great comics.
These are the ones that I picked up.
First The Black INCAL, a classic by Jodorowsky and Moebius.
This comic book is a huge influence for many comic book artists and very popular in Greece. I had read only the first two books, now I have the chance to read all six! If you have already read them do it again for you who haven’t I strongly suggest you do.
Next I choose some comic books that I had never heard of before, but for two of them I knew very well the writers
Being Greek and in love with ancient Greek mythology I noticed first the title, than the art on the cover and that lead me to check the preview. The art was stunning so I had to check who wrote it…Geoff Johns, immediately both volumes went into my cart.
I had a similar reaction with the next comic first I saw the art on the cover and then the interior art in the preview which was equally good and what sent them to the cart was the name of the writer, Kurt Busiek! I L O V E Busiek’s comics, if you do not know who he is shame on you google him and read his comics.
And finally the next two comics although the creative teams are completely unknown to me I bought them simply for the art, its amazingly stunning. The art is the type I would see as a kid and would blow me away and influence me so much that I would try to learn how to draw from it.
I know its a lot of comics and I gave myself many treats but now I will have a full month of comics to read!
I hope you understand why I’m sharing all this with you…I believe one of the things that connects us as comic book fans has to do with what comics we buy not where and how but what. We talk about it with the excitement of a child in a candy store.
Well I have a lot to read and I will tell you though which ones are good, see ya around.
I picked up Half Past Danger not knowing anything except its cool retro cover. What I found was a one-man creative tour de force by Stephen Mooney — gripping art, unexpected story turns, and a feeling I hadn’t experienced since childhood. Here’s why I can’t wait for issue #2.
When I sat down to read this comic, I didn’t know anything about it other than that it had a cool cover — like a movie poster with a retro look. I always pick a comic for its cover, and a quick blurry run through the pages is a sell for me. I didn’t check if there was a full creative team on this comic, so you can imagine my surprise when I realised it was solely done by one really creative artist.
Usually I would make a quick introduction, but there are so many cool elements that I can’t do the usual. First, I have to say what a thrilling surprise this comic is. How each page was gripping and made me anticipate the next. How it left me with a most satisfying and entertaining feeling that bubbled inside me for hours later. I was pleasantly surprised many times — the comic never went the way I expected, and the art’s storytelling nailed it every time.
The vibe and thrill this comic gave me is similar to what I felt as a kid when I first started reading comics, when I used to absorb every aspect of the art, page after page.
Yes, it’s that good. I can’t wait for issue #2 to come out — and I’m saying this with a certainty that I haven’t felt about a comic in years.
Now that I’ve released all my enthusiasm, let me give credit to who is behind this great comic: Half Past Danger.
Stephen Mooney is an artist who has worked on several comics for IDW over the past several years. Half Past Danger is his creator‑owned comic, and for issue one he is the sole creator. Thankfully, IDW gave the green light and published this comic — yet another cool decision from this publisher.
I’m not sure if this comic will be a long‑running monthly or just a set of limited series, but I’d be pleased with either. Even in issue #1 alone, there are so many elements that can be explored that the title could last for many years and still be interesting.
The Story
The story is set in World War 2, and its central character is Sergeant Thomas Michael Flynn. Sergeant Flynn is a military man with a roguish flair. He has the ability to survive, not take unnecessary risks, and above all, protect his squad. So you can imagine his devastation after he loses his whole team during a reconnaissance mission on an unknown island in the East Pacific.
As they avoid engagement with a Nazi base they come across unexpectedly, they decide to return to base with what they’ve found — only to fall into even greater danger. The whole team is killed except Flynn, who manages to escape with the information he has discovered.
This is only the introduction, not the end of the story. It continues two months later in a New York bar as Flynn drinks away his sorrow. What follows is even more unexpected: Flynn is approached by three individuals who seem to be part of a secret organisation. The encounter ends in an unbelievable bar brawl when Flynn refuses to talk to them.
I won’t go into details about the lethal danger or who the individuals are, because that would spoil the surprises waiting for you in the comic. I’ll only say a few words: predators, powerhouse, master of martial arts, witty intelligence covered by femme fatale beauty — hope I haven’t given anything away.
Writing & Art
Mooney has crafted a story that features elements of war action, noir settings, and pulp aspects of the unknown and unexpected — all combined beautifully in one issue. The dialogue is realistic, smart, and witty. You don’t have to read it twice to understand it, but you will, just to enjoy what’s been said again.
He also builds mystery around the situations his hero, Sgt. Flynn, has been in. Nothing is fully revealed, yet it remains intriguing and gripping thanks to the way the story unfolds with the help of the art.
The art complements and delivers every aspect of the story, from the biggest to the smallest details. It’s dynamic, with perfect storytelling showing action scenes brilliantly from panel to panel. Each panel is essential to the flow — it gives a cinematic visual feeling, but better.
There’s also a good sense of humour that provides comic relief, made more obvious and entertaining by small details in the art: expressions, body language, and subtle movements. Pencils, inking, colouring, and lettering have all been thoroughly applied by Mooney to give us readers a visual delight.
Final Verdict
In general, Stephen Mooney has succeeded in creating a great issue #1, leaving the best of impressions and gripping us enough to want more. I strongly suggest reading this comic. Start from the beginning, because I’m sure it will only get better, and Sgt. Flynn will become the new hero everyone is raving about.
Read this comic and spread the word about how good it is.
Costas on Comics 