It’s been a long time since the Venom spotlight came to rest upon Eugene “Flash” Thompson, the one-time host of the iconic symbiote. The underrated war hero is still shining as the all-white Anti-Venom, but the newest symbiote costume unlocked by Flash instantly ranks among the best ever designed. So why is Marvel getting rid of it already?
The staggeringly superior symbiote costume makes its official debut in the pages of All-New Venom #9 by Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez, and Frank D’Armata. With Venom and his son Sleeper joining forces to escape imprisonment. But their plan meets a hitch when Toxin, child of the Carnage symbiote, is left too weak to move autonomously. In need of a host, Flash shows up in the nick of time.
Subduing his own latent Anti-Venom nature (instantly lethal to any living symbiote), Flash demonstrates his experience and morality, merging with Toxin in order to help it escape. And in the process, debuting what is instantly one of the best new Spider/Venom/Symbiote suits in recent memory.
New Toxin Design is The Best Symbiote Suit in Years
As Flash admits, his own visual style is a major influence in the shaping of Toxin to his own body. Built with some of the most iconic ‘body armor’ aspects of his time as Venom, Agent Venom, and Anti-Venom, the style has arguably been perfected with this update. Single, subdued spikes on the joints of the suit make it distinct, while the Spidey-esque paint scheme shines.
Unfortunately, Marvel Comics has already confirmed that this new incarnation of Toxin and Thompson as a symbiote character is not “long term,” as Venom promises. Despite being the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous character to join the symbiote-suited ranks in years, this is a “one-off.”
This New Form of Toxin is Already Being Undone By Marvel
As Marvel Editor Jordan D. White explains to AIPT, the excitement is understandable. Alas, Marvel is already writing this character off as a one-and-done show stealer.
The next issue of All-New Venom sees Toxin bonding with Flash Thompson. Do you see this shaping Flash’s identity moving forward, or maybe this is just a one-off joining?
Jordan D. White: Well–Flash has Anti-Venom flowing through his veins, so he cannot bond with Toxin long-term. It’s a one-off for now. But that is a heck of a look when he does it, isn’t it?
Considering how difficult it is to come up with an eye-catching superhero suit design, let alone one in a Spider-Man family overstuffed with variants, the dismissal is guaranteed to raise eyebrows. With so much resting interest in Flash Thompson, and a costume seemingly made for a bold new role, it’s hard not to look at this as a missed opportunity.
All-New Venom #9 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Source: AIPT
- First Appearance
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The Amazing Spider-Man
- Alias
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Eddie Brock
- RELATIONSHIPS
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Eddie Brock (primary host and ally), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (initial enemy, later uneasy ally), Anne Weying (former wife of Eddie Brock and occasional host), Cletus Kasady/Carnage (offspring of the Venom symbiote and a deadly enemy)
- Alliance
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Vigilante
