Amazing Spider-Man Venom Death Spiral #1 (2026)

'Symbiotes bad', sure. Can't argue it, won't argue it. You don't like 'em? I'm on your side, that's for sure.


'Symbiotes good', sure. Can't argue it, won't argue it. You like 'em? Writhing ribbons of death are cool? I'm on your side, that's for sure.

So I guess there's two sides to every coin. If you don't care what Venom and his ilk are up to, I get it. If you want to see Carnage slice people up because red and black and red are cool, I get it. My symbiote time has come and gone, but I really DO understand the appeal. This book is coherent and mean spirited, which should appeal to the fans. It does a fine job of letting readers and non fans know exactly what's up with the major players going into this event. That doesn't always happen and should be recognized.


But the art- man- I like Jesus Saiz, loved him on the great Punisher run w/ Jason Aaron. The coloring of his artwork, or the artwork itself this time around? It veers into some weird fake airbrush effect that does not come off as fully painted and does not come off as traditional comic art, and like the monstrosity that existed over Salvador Larocca's work on the Star Wars ongoing title, it sets my fillings on fire. It's darker than it needs to be, to the point of obfuscation in some panels. That palette leaves the word balloons as the only white in the book and seeing a value scale start at 1 and only get to maybe a 6 just isn't normally how life works where there are people out during daylight hours.

This is absolutely a 'man yells at cloud' moment, so your mileage may vary.