I’ve always had a soft spot for Venom. There’s something about that chaotic, gooey symbiote and its morally gray hosts that hooks me every time. So when I heard Marvel was launching *All-New Venom #1* on December 4, 2024, with Al Ewing writing and Carlos Gómez on art, I couldn’t wait to dive in. I read it on Marvel Unlimited—Marvel’s digital subscription service boasting over 30,000 comics—and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. This first issue has me buzzing with excitement for what’s next, and I’m already counting the days until the subsequent issues hit the platform.

Right off the bat, what struck me was the premise: a mystery wrapped in a symbiote. The tagline from Marvel’s official announcement sums it up perfectly: “The smiling, swashbuckling spider-hero New York loves to hate to love is back—and more fun-loving than ever! That’s right, it’s… Wait, it’s VENOM?!” Ewing introduces a cast of suspects—Robbie Robertson, Luke Cage, Rick Jones, and even Madame Masque—and sets up a whodunit that feels like a superhero spin on a classic detective story. I love a good mystery, and this one’s got me hooked. The idea that Venom could be anyone from a seasoned journalist to the Mayor of New York is intriguing, and it’s a bold shift from the symbiote’s usual brooding, anti-hero vibe.

Image Credit: Marvel Comics

The issue kicks off with a bang—or rather, a courtroom crash. A.I.M. (those beekeeper-suited mad scientists) storms in to disrupt Madame Masque’s trial, and chaos erupts. Then, out of nowhere, this new Venom swoops in to save the day. I was immediately drawn to the action, which Gómez renders with such kinetic energy that I could almost feel the punches landing. The art is clean and captivating, with a focus on movement that makes every panel pop. As someone who’s followed Venom through Eddie Brock’s gritty tenure and Dylan Brock’s more recent struggles in *Venom War*, seeing the symbiote in a fresh context—bouncing around a courtroom instead of lurking in dark alleys—felt invigorating.

Speaking of fresh, let’s talk about Venom’s new look. Gómez gives us a redesign that’s subtle yet striking. The emblem on the chest is bigger, more encompassing, almost like a bold statement of identity, as showcased in Marvel’s preview art. The rest of the design keeps that bulky, muscular frame and the signature long tongue, but I noticed the teeth are dialed back a bit—no more shark-like chompers. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that; those jagged teeth always added a feral edge to Venom. But the more I looked at it, the more I appreciated the sleeker, less monstrous vibe. It fits this new direction—a Venom who’s chatty, quippy, and maybe even a little heroic. I’m obsessed with how this look reflects the character’s evolution, and I can’t wait to see how it ties into whoever’s wearing the suit.

Image Credit: Marvel Comics

The writing is where Ewing really shines for me. He’s got a knack for balancing humor and tension, something I’ve loved in his previous work like *Immortal Thor*. Venom’s dialogue is a standout—energetic, confident, and full of personality. Lines like “I’m here to help, whether you like it or not!” (paraphrased from memory since I don’t have the exact text in front of me) had me grinning. This isn’t the somber, conflicted Venom I’m used to; this is a symbiote with swagger. And yet, there’s depth here too. The way Venom references science, martial arts, and even the other characters suggests a host with a rich backstory. I’m dying to figure out who it is—Luke Cage with his street-smarts? Robbie with his journalistic insight? The clues are there, but they’re just elusive enough to keep me guessing.

The supporting cast adds another layer of fun. Seeing familiar faces like Mary Jane, Paul, and Rick Jones pop up in this New York-centric story grounded it in the Spider-Man universe I adore. But it’s not just a cameo fest—each character feels like a potential piece of the puzzle. When A.I.M. attacks and the suspects scatter, I couldn’t help but start theorizing. Luke Cage disappearing right before Venom shows up? Suspicious. Rick Jones, with his history of sidekick shenanigans, suddenly gone? Hmm. Ewing’s clearly playing with us, and I’m eating it up. ComicBookRoundUp.com gave this issue an 8.1 based on six critic reviews, with one reviewer noting, “The hero’s anonymity and the fact that he could be one of many suspects are intriguing and exciting.” I couldn’t agree more.

What I appreciate most is how this issue feels like a clean slate without ignoring Venom’s past. There’s a nod to *Venom War*—the recent event where Eddie and Dylan duked it out for symbiote supremacy—but it’s not bogged down by continuity. As someone who’s been reading on Marvel Unlimited, where I can dip into decades of comics, I value that accessibility. You don’t need to have read every Venom story to jump in, though the callbacks (like A.I.M.’s upgraded battlesuits tying into their long history) reward longtime fans like me. It’s a tricky balance, but Ewing pulls it off.

That said, it’s not perfect. The pacing is brisk, which I enjoyed, but it left me wanting more of Venom himself. He’s in the spotlight for the action scenes, but the mystery setup takes up a lot of real estate. I get it—this is a first issue, and they’re laying the groundwork—but I’m itching to see more of this new Venom in action, not just as a shadowy savior. Another reviewer on ComicBookRoundUp.com mentioned, “The minimal focus on Venom himself and lingering questions from past events hold the issue back,” and I can see their point. Still, that’s a minor gripe when the hook is this strong.

Reading this on Marvel Unlimited was a treat. The app’s smooth scrolling and crisp visuals made Gómez’s art pop on my phone, and knowing I’ve got instant access to the next issues as they drop keeps me invested. The downside? The wait. As of today, March 11, 2025, I’m still holding out for *All-New Venom #2* (released January 8, 2025) and beyond to hit the platform. Marvel Unlimited typically lags a bit behind print releases, so I’m practicing patience—a tough ask when I’m this excited.

Overall, *All-New Venom #1* has me hooked. I love the mystery, the new look, and the promise of a Venom who’s more than just a snarling anti-hero. I’m invested in seeing this character develop—will they lean into the humor? Deepen the moral complexity? Reveal a host that flips the script entirely? I’ve got theories (Luke Cage feels like a frontrunner, but Rick Jones could be a wild card), and I’m eager to see where Ewing and Gómez take it. For now, I’m stuck refreshing Marvel Unlimited, dreaming of symbiote-fueled chaos, and counting this as one of my favorite reads of 2024. If you’re a Venom fan or just love a good superhero twist, this one’s worth your time.