Web of Venom: Funeral Pyre #1 Review
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artists: Joshua Cassara & Alberto Alburquerque
Colorist: Jay David Ramos
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Another day, another Absolute Carnage tie-in. This time written by Cullen Bunn, starring his precious creation from his run with Flash Thompson. I’ll be honest. That’s not a great way to get me excited, but I’m willing to give just about anything a shot.
From page one of Funeral Pyre, I was confused. Maybe I missed something, but since when is Andi scared of her symbiote? I believe the last time we saw her was in Venom Inc., and while she had come to terms with being without it, that doesn’t mean she never wanted to see it again. What happened? Bunn created her, so he knows better than I would, but something’s missing. The rest of the book shows Andi being teased and ultimately chased by Carnage before escaping to New York. If that doesn’t sound like all that much happening to you, I’d have to agree. This issue does spend some time detailing Andi’s normal life, but when it inevitably falls apart, she doesn’t seem to care. I sure don’t.
Both artists in Funeral Pyre have similar ups and downs. Faces are pleasantly expressive most of the time, but it can occasionally cross the line into looking a little goofy. Alburqueque’s Carnage is easily the best thing here. He’s not symbiote-and-bones like we’ve seen advertised just yet, but he’s creepy nonetheless because of his body language. The way he crawls and lurks around; it helps him fee more threatening (as if Carnage needed that) and makes it easier to be invested in what’s happeneing. Ramos’s coloring is the best work found in this story, in my opinion. There’s not a single panel in which he takes the easy route. Every one has a lot going on with a surprisingly diverse palette.
Without even talking about the quality of its presentation, I can say that I do not recommend picking up Funeral Pyre just because of how little happens in this $4.99 book. Literally all you need to know from here on out is that Andi is in New York again. It would have been easier to talk up if we were given any kind of introspective character moments or more consistent art, but sadly, that’s not the case. Don’t check this one out.
Artists: Joshua Cassara & Alberto Alburquerque
Colorist: Jay David Ramos
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Another day, another Absolute Carnage tie-in. This time written by Cullen Bunn, starring his precious creation from his run with Flash Thompson. I’ll be honest. That’s not a great way to get me excited, but I’m willing to give just about anything a shot.
From page one of Funeral Pyre, I was confused. Maybe I missed something, but since when is Andi scared of her symbiote? I believe the last time we saw her was in Venom Inc., and while she had come to terms with being without it, that doesn’t mean she never wanted to see it again. What happened? Bunn created her, so he knows better than I would, but something’s missing. The rest of the book shows Andi being teased and ultimately chased by Carnage before escaping to New York. If that doesn’t sound like all that much happening to you, I’d have to agree. This issue does spend some time detailing Andi’s normal life, but when it inevitably falls apart, she doesn’t seem to care. I sure don’t.
Both artists in Funeral Pyre have similar ups and downs. Faces are pleasantly expressive most of the time, but it can occasionally cross the line into looking a little goofy. Alburqueque’s Carnage is easily the best thing here. He’s not symbiote-and-bones like we’ve seen advertised just yet, but he’s creepy nonetheless because of his body language. The way he crawls and lurks around; it helps him fee more threatening (as if Carnage needed that) and makes it easier to be invested in what’s happeneing. Ramos’s coloring is the best work found in this story, in my opinion. There’s not a single panel in which he takes the easy route. Every one has a lot going on with a surprisingly diverse palette.
Without even talking about the quality of its presentation, I can say that I do not recommend picking up Funeral Pyre just because of how little happens in this $4.99 book. Literally all you need to know from here on out is that Andi is in New York again. It would have been easier to talk up if we were given any kind of introspective character moments or more consistent art, but sadly, that’s not the case. Don’t check this one out.
A Look Inside
