Venom (2021) #6-10

Venom (2021) #6-10

Issue #6: A New Era Begins

The story picks up with Dylan Brock adjusting to his new role as Venom after the apparent death of his father, Eddie Brock, who has ascended to become the King in Black. Dylan struggles with the symbiote's immense power and the weight of his father's legacy. Meanwhile, Eddie, lost in the timestream of the hive mind, begins uncovering a sinister plot orchestrated by a shadowy figure named Meridius. Eddie learns that Meridius has been manipulating the symbiote timeline for centuries, setting up a confrontation that threatens all of existence. Back on Earth, Dylan's powers attract unwanted attention, leading to encounters with both allies and adversaries.

Issue #7: The Seeds of a War
Dylan, now fully bonded with Venom, faces off against a mysterious villain named Bedlam, a hulking symbiote with unrelenting ferocity. The battle forces Dylan to embrace more of Venom's brutal instincts, a decision that haunts him as he fears losing his humanity. Meanwhile, Eddie continues to explore the hive mind's timestream and discovers a strange nexus of future symbiote events connected to Meridius's plans. He realizes that Meridius intends to dominate all symbiotes across time by controlling their evolution. Eddie begins to piece together the puzzle of his role in the larger battle to come.

Issue #8: The Hive’s Prisoner
Eddie's journey through the symbiote hive mind takes a darker turn as he is captured by Meridius. While imprisoned, Eddie encounters other symbiote warriors who have fallen to Meridius's machinations, each revealing fragments of their shared fate. Back on Earth, Dylan grows closer to Sleeper, another symbiote ally, who becomes a mentor of sorts in teaching him how to control Venom. The issue builds tension as Dylan's bond with Venom strengthens, paralleling Eddie's struggle to resist Meridius's attempts to manipulate him.

Issue #9: The Fall of Time
Eddie manages a daring escape from Meridius's clutches, gaining critical insight into the villain's true nature and goals. Meridius is revealed to be a future version of Eddie, corrupted by the immense power of the King in Black and determined to reshape time to ensure his dominance. This revelation shakes Eddie to his core as he realizes the path he might take if he succumbs to despair and ambition. Meanwhile, Dylan faces a moral dilemma when he must decide whether to trust Alchemax, a shady organization offering him guidance, or strike out on his own as Venom. The clash of ideologies sets the stage for an inevitable collision between father and son.

Issue #10: The Battle Within
In a climactic showdown, Eddie confronts Meridius within the hive mind, where their battle transcends time and space. Eddie fights not only to save himself but to ensure Dylan's future and protect the symbiote lineage from Meridius's corruption. On Earth, Dylan faces Bedlam again, this time fully embracing his role as Venom. With Sleeper's help, Dylan uncovers more about the connection between Meridius, Bedlam, and the broader symbiote war. The issue ends with Eddie narrowly escaping back to the present, carrying critical knowledge that could save Dylan and prevent Meridius's rise, but the cost is his growing isolation from humanity.

Thematic Exploration
These issues delve into the complex relationships between fathers and sons, legacy, and the burden of immense power. Dylan's struggle to reconcile his humanity with Venom's primal nature mirrors Eddie's internal battle against his potential future as Meridius. The narrative raises questions about fate, free will, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. With its mix of high-stakes action and emotional depth, Venom (2021) continues to redefine the mythos of the symbiote saga.

Amazing arc. Great writing. I give this one a 9/10.