REVIEW: ‘Queen In Black: Venom Unchained’ Issue 1

Queen In Black: Venom Unchained Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Charles Soule, art by Juanan Ramírez, colors by Erick Arciniega and letters by Clayton Cowles.

Queen in Black: Venom Unchained Issue #1 is part of the Queen in Black Event. Whilst the symbiotic invasion erupts, Eddie Brock is sick in prison and unable to do anything to help. In contrast to the noise in the other Queen in Black comics, this chapter is much quieter and calmer. Which is strange considering that a former King in Black is the primary protagonist. Eddie Brock was the first Venom and the man who first killed Knull. But now, he’s in jail after bonding with the even more insane and dangerous Carnage symbiote.

So, when the world is in crisis, he is behind bars in The Raft, a prison for superheroes. At first, Queen In Black: Venom Unchained Issue 1 is a legal drama, bumped by Soule’s famous career as a lawyer. The pace is interesting because of how stuck and uninvolved Brock is. But then the energy and pressure come from a desperate need to get out.

What is most fascinating about Queen In Black: Venom Unchained Issue 1 is how alone Eddie is. Usually he is attached to some kind of Symbiote, more than any other human on the planet. But now he is on his own and stuck in cells. Those that usually help him have deserted, even when a familiar face comes to visit. What’s important with Eddie is the blurring of the lines with his morality. He’s not the worst guy, but he has a history of crime, violence, and previous imprisonment.

It’s funny to see how comfortable he is initially inside incarceration, and how confident he is about getting out again. He knows other heroes, he has connections, but they aren’t working yet. And then, when he needs to get out, those connections and Brock’s experience as a hero step in. You see his fighting ability and capability to think on his feet. He is desperately trying to get support, but he has no powers, no symbiote, and no one will believe his intentions.

The art is fantastic. After so long being connected to oozing Klyntarian masses, Eddie now looks normal. He’s big and strong, but ultimately human. And actually, almost all of the inmates within the Raft have a similar bulky physique. They’re all super villains, and so have the bodies of those who spend their lives battling heroes and vigilantes. Eddie also has a bushy and wild hairstyle and beard, which helps with identification and makes him look even bigger.

The costumes can’t breach the prison, and that comes across when Eddie gets a visitor, and both appear in their civilian guises. The power belongs to the guards, decked out in strong armor that’s hard to fight against. But Eddie still tries. The movement and energy in these fight scenes are exceptional, with a fantastic exaggeration of the guards’ swings to generate more ferocity.

The colors are very familiar for a prison setting, with an abundance of orange on the jumpsuits of the inmates. At times, the lighting is intense, removing any shadows and illuminating everything. But then, especially when the conversation is just Brock and the guards, the background turns completely black, creating a feeling of being penned in. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Queen In Black: Venom Unchained Issue 1 is a terrific change of pace from the other tie-ins and Queen in Black main book. It separates a major figure and drags him far away from any of the action. It’s purposefully slow and almost entirely symbiote-free. But without them, it gives a chance to focus on Eddie and what he’s capable of without any help. And by the looks of the ending, he won’t be far away from the action for very long.

Queen In Black: Venom Unchained Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.