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Legends of the Dark Knight (1989) #16-20
Batman: Venom
A new edition of the classic Batman tale by writer Dennis O'Neil that introduces the strength-enhancing drug Venom. After Batman fails to save a young girl, he begins taking the drug in order to lift his limitations; however, when the Dark Knight becomes addicted to the substance, his entire life begins to spiral out of control. The drug Venom later goes on to play a major role in the KNIGHTFALL storyline that sees the villain Bane breaking Batman's back. Collects BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #16-20.
136 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1991
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,732 books254 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
January 16, 2019
This isn't a "what if Batman got addicted to pills" story—that's a shallow reading. This is pure symbolism.
Firstly, it's not Vicodin, it's venom, the poison/steroid/super drug that creates Bane, probably Batman's greatest and most underrated foe.
Secondly, it's easy to read into venom as a symbol for corruption, evil, total obsession, psychopathy—everything Batman isn't. Batman is and always has been a balance. He's thirsty for revenge, but he protects the people of Gotham and his family. He destroys his enemies, but he doesn't kill them.
Batman fails and is reminded of how he failed his parents. He realizes that he isn't enough, that his balance isn't working. So he goes full Batman. You never go full Batman. By that I mean he gives into it 100%, all revenge, all body, no brain, no second guesses. Yes he gets addicted to the pills, but only because of the power they give him, the supposed infallibility. But that's not true is it? Because all that juice muddles his brain and he makes mistakes, nearly gets himself killed, nearly becomes a killer, what he promised himself he would never be, or else he's no better than Joe Chill who killed his parents. Batman's failure illustrates just how human he really is, or perhaps how Batman is never without Bruce Wayne, always human, never fully corruptible.
So that's why this book is brilliant, for its symbolism and origin of Bane.
December 23, 2012
In the hands of Denny O’Neil, Batman is rendered totally out of character and becomes barely readable. He isn’t the worst Batman writer I’ve read but he’s definitely down there as one of the worst and “Batman: Venom” is a disaster.
Batman tries to save a little girl from drowning except a giant rock stands in between them. The rock is too heavy, he’s unable to lift it, and the girl dies. This sends Bruce into a guilt spiral and the first thing he does when he returns home is guess the weight of the rock - 680 pounds - then try to lift it, failing again, and tearing an arm muscle. He then decides to go after the girl’s kidnappers in his weakened state and once the two goons realise his arm’s damaged, they take advantage of it and overpower him. Humiliated, he goes to the girl’s father who turns out to be a mad scientist who’s created a super-steroid called Venom which Batman decides to take because he feels bad about the dead girl and being beaten up by two goons.
That’s the setup and there’s soooo much wrong with it. First off, as any reader of Batman knows, he has a lot of really useful stuff in his utility belt - why wouldn’t he have something in there for dealing with solid obstructions like the big rock? And why does he react so badly to the girl’s death? She can’t have been the first, he must have lost people he’s tried to save before, so to take it this badly is really strange. Then the two goons who manage to beat him up - even if one of his arms is damaged, no way could two faceless thugs, out of the thousands of faceless thugs Batman has defeated, get the drop on him in a fight. And then after that he immediately starts taking illegal drugs. It doesn’t make sense. Everything about this setup is unbelievable because it’s so arbitrary.
Then when Bruce becomes hooked, he lets the doctor tell him what to do otherwise he withholds the drugs despite the fact that Bruce could simply overpower him and take the drugs. Even though at this point Bruce has become totally unreasonable, wandering out at night and beating up anyone, regardless of whether they’ve committed a crime or not, while spewing some neo-fascist garbage 21st century Frank Miller would write like “The weaklings, the snivelers, who’ve let the city become a sewer because they’re afraid to do what has to be done”, he could still kidnap the doctor, take him back to the cave and force him to churn out drugs for him. In Denny O’Neil’s version of Batman, it’d be plausible, but for some reason Batman allows himself to be played like a puppet by this guy, giving him the chance to leave - for Santa Prisca. Duh duh duuuuuh.
Santra Prisca is where Bane lives, the villain whose super-strength derives from Venom. He is the only reason for the doctor and a stereotypical Army General to go there because there’s no reason given by any of the characters why they’ve chosen it for a destination. Maybe O’Neil wanted to squeeze in some casual racism - one of the island’s girls says to the General’s good-natured but goofy son “Teem... I don’ theenk I wan’ see you no more” (Tim, I don’t think I want to see you anymore) - and needed a place to stage a shark attack?
Also when Batman goes to Santa Prisca, he takes Alfred with him. There is absolutely no reason for Alfred to go with Bruce on this trip. He adds nothing except company - maybe Bruce really needed someone to talk to on this trip? - and serves literally as bait for the shark which lures Bruce out in the open to save Alfred. And one final thing about Alfred - he wears his butler uniform when they take this trip! Does he not own any other clothes besides that uniform? He doesn’t own a pair of cords and a shirt?
And as for the shark fight, if you’re writing a semi-serious tale of drug addiction, having Batman fight a shark in the middle of it kind of makes light of the seriousness of the subject as any kind of dangerous animal fighting has a carnival-esque feel to it. But is this really about drug addiction? Besides Batman taking pills for a while, O’Neil really doesn’t have anything to say about addiction besides a) it briefly changes your personality and b) you need to go cold turkey and grow an Alan Moore beard to get over it. Anything else O’Neil? Nope. So the book fails as a story about addiction. Batman gets hooked, then doesn’t, the end. Real insightful.
But the one thing I know for sure it’s about, as every Batman book is about, is entertainment and the book fails at this the most. The book is really, really boring. The writing, poor characterisation, dull plot, and bad treatment of everything makes for an incredibly tedious read. “Batman: Venom” isn’t the worst Batman book I’ve read but it’s down there with “The Cult”, “Secrets” and “Odyssey” and should definitely be avoided, as I will be avoiding any other Batman books with Denny O’Neil’s name on them.
Batman tries to save a little girl from drowning except a giant rock stands in between them. The rock is too heavy, he’s unable to lift it, and the girl dies. This sends Bruce into a guilt spiral and the first thing he does when he returns home is guess the weight of the rock - 680 pounds - then try to lift it, failing again, and tearing an arm muscle. He then decides to go after the girl’s kidnappers in his weakened state and once the two goons realise his arm’s damaged, they take advantage of it and overpower him. Humiliated, he goes to the girl’s father who turns out to be a mad scientist who’s created a super-steroid called Venom which Batman decides to take because he feels bad about the dead girl and being beaten up by two goons.
That’s the setup and there’s soooo much wrong with it. First off, as any reader of Batman knows, he has a lot of really useful stuff in his utility belt - why wouldn’t he have something in there for dealing with solid obstructions like the big rock? And why does he react so badly to the girl’s death? She can’t have been the first, he must have lost people he’s tried to save before, so to take it this badly is really strange. Then the two goons who manage to beat him up - even if one of his arms is damaged, no way could two faceless thugs, out of the thousands of faceless thugs Batman has defeated, get the drop on him in a fight. And then after that he immediately starts taking illegal drugs. It doesn’t make sense. Everything about this setup is unbelievable because it’s so arbitrary.
Then when Bruce becomes hooked, he lets the doctor tell him what to do otherwise he withholds the drugs despite the fact that Bruce could simply overpower him and take the drugs. Even though at this point Bruce has become totally unreasonable, wandering out at night and beating up anyone, regardless of whether they’ve committed a crime or not, while spewing some neo-fascist garbage 21st century Frank Miller would write like “The weaklings, the snivelers, who’ve let the city become a sewer because they’re afraid to do what has to be done”, he could still kidnap the doctor, take him back to the cave and force him to churn out drugs for him. In Denny O’Neil’s version of Batman, it’d be plausible, but for some reason Batman allows himself to be played like a puppet by this guy, giving him the chance to leave - for Santa Prisca. Duh duh duuuuuh.
Santra Prisca is where Bane lives, the villain whose super-strength derives from Venom. He is the only reason for the doctor and a stereotypical Army General to go there because there’s no reason given by any of the characters why they’ve chosen it for a destination. Maybe O’Neil wanted to squeeze in some casual racism - one of the island’s girls says to the General’s good-natured but goofy son “Teem... I don’ theenk I wan’ see you no more” (Tim, I don’t think I want to see you anymore) - and needed a place to stage a shark attack?
Also when Batman goes to Santa Prisca, he takes Alfred with him. There is absolutely no reason for Alfred to go with Bruce on this trip. He adds nothing except company - maybe Bruce really needed someone to talk to on this trip? - and serves literally as bait for the shark which lures Bruce out in the open to save Alfred. And one final thing about Alfred - he wears his butler uniform when they take this trip! Does he not own any other clothes besides that uniform? He doesn’t own a pair of cords and a shirt?
And as for the shark fight, if you’re writing a semi-serious tale of drug addiction, having Batman fight a shark in the middle of it kind of makes light of the seriousness of the subject as any kind of dangerous animal fighting has a carnival-esque feel to it. But is this really about drug addiction? Besides Batman taking pills for a while, O’Neil really doesn’t have anything to say about addiction besides a) it briefly changes your personality and b) you need to go cold turkey and grow an Alan Moore beard to get over it. Anything else O’Neil? Nope. So the book fails as a story about addiction. Batman gets hooked, then doesn’t, the end. Real insightful.
But the one thing I know for sure it’s about, as every Batman book is about, is entertainment and the book fails at this the most. The book is really, really boring. The writing, poor characterisation, dull plot, and bad treatment of everything makes for an incredibly tedious read. “Batman: Venom” isn’t the worst Batman book I’ve read but it’s down there with “The Cult”, “Secrets” and “Odyssey” and should definitely be avoided, as I will be avoiding any other Batman books with Denny O’Neil’s name on them.
October 22, 2016
Batman gets aches and pains like a normal person and takes drugs so that he can beat his opponents. That alone makes this one of the bolder Batman tales.
Some of the dialogue on the foreign island seems juvenile but the rest of it is pretty good.
The main focus is on Batman getting over his drug addiction.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
Some of the dialogue on the foreign island seems juvenile but the rest of it is pretty good.
The main focus is on Batman getting over his drug addiction.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
October 12, 2019
Batman has done something that he never thought that he would do... he lost someone. After trying to right the wrong he feels powerless and turns to putting an unknown substance in his body. one that promises to make him stronger and faster than he ever thought possible. But what it does is turn him into the very thing that he fights against. It turns him into a monster!
Absolutely fantastic comic series! This is a part of the Batman Legends of the Dark Knight series and one that I would definitely recommend.
Absolutely fantastic comic series! This is a part of the Batman Legends of the Dark Knight series and one that I would definitely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
What an epic storyline!
I loved this one. Batman fails to save a girl from drowning and he is getting physically weak and he meets a doctor and he gives him pills to be strong (the ones which will become venom aka Bane's thing) and thus we follow the narrative as Batman gets addicted to these pills and is leaving things he usually does, rude to Alfred and all and you can see him becoming a drug addict and all the drama that comes with it but the main thing is he is breaking down and when he has to take down Gordon to get more drugs from the Dr Porter and General Slaycroft, he must change his whole stance on drugs and withdraw from them and its such a powerful moment as the writer hits on mature themes and does it in a brilliant manner and shows the shortcomings of the character but does it brilliantly.
And finally we see him snap out of it and going to Santa Prisca to take care of this doctor and face his men who are bolstered by this drug and also save Alfred and have some more struggles of his own and battle a complex mind battle and its insanely well done and will he be able to stop these two enemies and find more about this drug and the heartbreaks wont stop there.
Its an epic story and a very mature one at that and it does it so well and highlights Batmans adventures and shows how he snaps out of habits which affects people and does so in a brilliant manner and gives him a new kind of adversary and I love that the writer also manages to build up on the tension between the adversaries and its awesome and what not. One of the best Batman stories ever.
I loved this one. Batman fails to save a girl from drowning and he is getting physically weak and he meets a doctor and he gives him pills to be strong (the ones which will become venom aka Bane's thing) and thus we follow the narrative as Batman gets addicted to these pills and is leaving things he usually does, rude to Alfred and all and you can see him becoming a drug addict and all the drama that comes with it but the main thing is he is breaking down and when he has to take down Gordon to get more drugs from the Dr Porter and General Slaycroft, he must change his whole stance on drugs and withdraw from them and its such a powerful moment as the writer hits on mature themes and does it in a brilliant manner and shows the shortcomings of the character but does it brilliantly.
And finally we see him snap out of it and going to Santa Prisca to take care of this doctor and face his men who are bolstered by this drug and also save Alfred and have some more struggles of his own and battle a complex mind battle and its insanely well done and will he be able to stop these two enemies and find more about this drug and the heartbreaks wont stop there.
Its an epic story and a very mature one at that and it does it so well and highlights Batmans adventures and shows how he snaps out of habits which affects people and does so in a brilliant manner and gives him a new kind of adversary and I love that the writer also manages to build up on the tension between the adversaries and its awesome and what not. One of the best Batman stories ever.
March 23, 2022
Venom is a dark Batman story, Bruce Wayne deals with a lot of failure in this book, but its a fun read nonetheless, very much in the line of those hard-hitting action flicks from the late eighties/nineties, with so much violence, it almost feels like a Punisher book, but I have two gripes with the story , it doesn't ruin the book, but still, it annoyed me. Artwise, I loved the pencils by Trevor von Eeden, he draws a mean Batman, specially when he's cracking up with venom, as you can see in the cover art of this new edition, super cool, the sewer sequence is also great, but the coloring looks a bit dated. Three and a half stars, rounded up, can't wait to re-read Knightfall after this.
April 3, 2023
A story of addiction, drug misuse, and the human lust for power, it's a checklist of heavy topics that have been wrapped up in a superhero vigilante bow. Essentially, it peels back the layers of Batman and makes Bruce face one of the key parts of his character; he is a human with vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Whilst it's hard to see the tough, hardened exterior so broken and bruised, there's a lot learned by both the reader and the titular character by the end.
TRIGGERS: substance abuse
TRIGGERS: substance abuse
April 16, 2020
Plot premise : Batman becomes a steroid junkie after failing to save an innocent. Cool concept, horrible execution.
In the book, Batman is seen in one of his most vulnerable situations. He has become addicted to steroids and has to overcome it. But the book fails to express the impact of his descent into addiction and recovery from it. The side characters aren't given enough time so that they could actually be sympathized by the readers. And that is the problem with many comic books.
The book is poorly executed and predictable, which outshine some of the good moments the book offers.
In the book, Batman is seen in one of his most vulnerable situations. He has become addicted to steroids and has to overcome it. But the book fails to express the impact of his descent into addiction and recovery from it. The side characters aren't given enough time so that they could actually be sympathized by the readers. And that is the problem with many comic books.
The book is poorly executed and predictable, which outshine some of the good moments the book offers.
Read
December 31, 20225 stars
Made reviews on all the single issues that batman venom consists off <3
Made reviews on all the single issues that batman venom consists off <3
May 19, 2021
A batman story that's basically about Batman becoming addicted to drugs and overcoming that addiction. It was weird reading a Batman story about this, but it's started through Batman not being strong enough to lift a boulder and save a drowning child. He then takes these new venom pills that drastically increase his strength. They also turn him a bit insane. Batman then has to take on the glorified drug dealers and stop them from making new super soldiers. It's an okay short story for what it is.
October 6, 2024
I was hooked immediately with the premise, but execution was lacking.
March 29, 2022
This is another addition to the 'Legends of the Dark Knight' story arcs, which for me haven't been all that. And this volume definitely didn't help the series case. By far this story is the worst one of what I like to call the 'Bat-novellas', and in this one we get a first look into the drug 'venom' before our favorite luchador themed baddie 'Bane' is introduced. The story takes place earlier in Batman's crime-fighting days and after failing to save a child due to his lack of super-strength, he is haunted by the event so much he becomes a junkie of the this magic pill; giving him more strength but also in a way driving him mad. The story was very silly and in some cases just upright dumb/ridiculous. It's written by Denny O'Neil and it's a shame because O'Neil is normally a phenomenal writer! However in these issues everything from the dialogue to the pacing just feels sloppy and under performing from O'Neil. Similar to other stories in this series, the idea is there but with faulty execution. In this story however the flop is a lot louder than others. I'm on the border of giving the story a 1 star but there were aspects of the story that will play a bigger role later as well as the artwork from Russell Braun was quite enjoyable. He's partnered with the legendary Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez on the inks so that's a nice piece to look into. But besides that, this story arc can be avoided. Unless you want to see Batman as a doped up roid-head for half the story and him being taken advantage by some lame ass bad-guys, if that's for you go ahead.
January 19, 2022
Bruce Wayne learns a hard lesson here that there are no shortcuts when it comes to quality strength. When he uses drugs alone, he is only strength and no brain. When he goes natural, he utilizes his intelligence to make up for that missing strength. Too bad he didn’t figure this out at the start when he couldn’t save that kid. This is early Batman, so I can forgive that he isn’t Inspector Gadget yet.
March 30, 2020
Have you ever been super excited to read something? You read a snippet of description, you see the author, you get your favourite snacks and drinks and you get ready to lose yourself in a fantastic story and then... It's shit. That was exactly my experience with this book. Everytime I look at this book I think about what it could have been.
This story had all the makings to be fantastic. I mean it's friggin' Denny O'Neil! A man who championed the 'Legends of the Dark Knight- a series filled with gritty and dark stories. On the surface this story seemed to offer an exploration into the mental breaking of Batman but all we got was long hair and a Great White knockout.
Don't get me wrong. It's iconic. This story preceded Bane and we're left to assume that the mysterious steroid pill was the first display of Titan before Bane made it trendy. It's one of the earliest examples of Batman truly breaking and while it does have a genuine redemption arc and teaches Batman about failure it could have been done SO MUCH BETTER.
+Titan
+Breaking of the Bat
-Everything else
This story had all the makings to be fantastic. I mean it's friggin' Denny O'Neil! A man who championed the 'Legends of the Dark Knight- a series filled with gritty and dark stories. On the surface this story seemed to offer an exploration into the mental breaking of Batman but all we got was long hair and a Great White knockout.
Don't get me wrong. It's iconic. This story preceded Bane and we're left to assume that the mysterious steroid pill was the first display of Titan before Bane made it trendy. It's one of the earliest examples of Batman truly breaking and while it does have a genuine redemption arc and teaches Batman about failure it could have been done SO MUCH BETTER.
+Titan
+Breaking of the Bat
-Everything else
March 16, 2013
Simply terrible! The idea of Batman giving in to the temptation to use steroids in order to enhance his crime fighting abilities should have made for a powerful story, but Denny O'Neil completely wastes any potential the concept had. Batman's brief battle with addiction is glossed over so quickly that it fails to have any impact, and the dialogue is so atrocious, you don't know whether to laugh or cry. Such a waste of a good idea :(
August 24, 2011
BATMAN: VENOM (4/5)
Everybody respects Batman for being one of the founding members of the JLA and yet having no superpowers. With his fierce intelligence and unbent will he makes up for his all too human nature. However, this feeling of superiority over every normal living man boosts the arrogance of the Dark Knight. Especially in his early days as a crimefighter, his over-confidence resulting in the death of an innocent child.
Like every pseudo-confidence built on ego, once it collapses it crushes everything. Batman falls into depression and blames his weakness for costing a human life. Gradually, he loses his trust in his abilities and is beaten by two random street thugs. That's when his inferiority complex towards Superman kicks in and decides to test some highly addictive performance drugs that greately increase his muscle strength. Unfortunately, they also do a number on his mind, as he loses the ability to think straight and becomes easy victim for manipulation by his "dealer".
The mere sight of Batman acting like a total junkie made "Venom" a classic graphic novel. Writer Dennis O'neil explores a side of the Dark Knight never seen before; that of the normal human hero in a world full of super-powered metas and indestructible demi-Gods. Granted, Batman has plans to beat them all but that doesn't fully substitute for his total lack of special abilities.
Eventually Batman overcomes his addiction and hunts down his manipulators. A rather large scheme is revealed and spoiled and Batman is once again congratulated. The tragic ending however, coupled with Batman's introspective melancholy make the finale of this story equal to its epicness.
Everybody respects Batman for being one of the founding members of the JLA and yet having no superpowers. With his fierce intelligence and unbent will he makes up for his all too human nature. However, this feeling of superiority over every normal living man boosts the arrogance of the Dark Knight. Especially in his early days as a crimefighter, his over-confidence resulting in the death of an innocent child.
Like every pseudo-confidence built on ego, once it collapses it crushes everything. Batman falls into depression and blames his weakness for costing a human life. Gradually, he loses his trust in his abilities and is beaten by two random street thugs. That's when his inferiority complex towards Superman kicks in and decides to test some highly addictive performance drugs that greately increase his muscle strength. Unfortunately, they also do a number on his mind, as he loses the ability to think straight and becomes easy victim for manipulation by his "dealer".
The mere sight of Batman acting like a total junkie made "Venom" a classic graphic novel. Writer Dennis O'neil explores a side of the Dark Knight never seen before; that of the normal human hero in a world full of super-powered metas and indestructible demi-Gods. Granted, Batman has plans to beat them all but that doesn't fully substitute for his total lack of special abilities.
Eventually Batman overcomes his addiction and hunts down his manipulators. A rather large scheme is revealed and spoiled and Batman is once again congratulated. The tragic ending however, coupled with Batman's introspective melancholy make the finale of this story equal to its epicness.
August 27, 2019
Sim, nós temos aquelas histórias dos anos 1970, do Homem-Aranha e do Arqueiro Verde e Lanterna Verde que romperam com o código de ética dos quadrinhos ao falarem sobre drogas em uma época em que não se podia falar sobre drogas nos quadrinhos. Mas se tem uma história que trabalha muito bem o abuso dos narcóticos, essa história é Batman: Veneno. Publicada originalmente no Brasil na série "Um Conto de Batman", esse encadernado também é uma espécie de prelúdio tanto para a origem do vilão Bane, como para os acontecimentos da saga A Queda do Morcego. Ela conta como o Batman acaba recorrendo às drogas para que o deixem mais forte. Isso depois de ter passado por um trauma de não ter conseguido salvar uma menina, filha do fornecedor da droga para a máfia. Mas ao passar a consumir a droga, o Batman não apenas fica terrivelmente viciado, mas também acaba sendo envolvido em um esquema de manipulação e coerção. Tudo isso porque, na remota ilha de Santa Prisca, existe um plano para se construírem supersoldados forte, resistentes, e incrivelmente obedientes, tais como máquinas. Um quadrinho muito bem feito, viu?
December 5, 2016
4.5
Απλα εκπληκτικο. Ο Batman εθιζεται στα ναρκωτικα. Τι αλλο θες να σου πω?
Το σεταρισμα ειναι υπεροχο μεσα στην απλοτητα του. Αφου, παρ'ολη τη δυναμη του, αποτυγχανει να σωσει απο πνιγμο ενα μικρο κοριτσακι, ο Batman υποκυπτει στο Venom για να ενισχυσει τις δυναμεις του. Το arc του ειναι αψεγαδιαστο. Δειχνει πανεμορφα την απογνωση/απογοητευση που οδηγει στην χρηση ναρκωτικου, υστερα ολο τον εξευτελισμο που προκαλει ο εθισμος του, μαζι με την αλλαγη στη συμπεριφορα του καθως και την απεξαρτηση. Και ειναι ακομη καλυτερο το οτι δεν σου αφηνει διδακτικη και preachy αισθηση. Δειχνει απλα το που μπορουν να φτασουν εναν ανθρωπο οι ψυχωσεις του.
Το μονο αρνητικο ειναι η σχεση του στρατιωτικου με τον γιο του (εχει προοπτικες αλλα φαινεται βεβιασμενη), αλλα μιας και το ζουμι εδω ειναι ο εθισμος του ηρωα, δεν πειραζει τοσο.
Στα συν, δεν λειπει και η over-the-top κουλαμαρα των κομιξ, με τον Batman να τα βαζει με ενα...καρχαρια (απλα συγχαρητηρια σε οποιον το σκεφτηκε). Επισης, σκιτσαρισμα/ χρωματα=υπεροχα
Απλα εκπληκτικο. Ο Batman εθιζεται στα ναρκωτικα. Τι αλλο θες να σου πω?
Το σεταρισμα ειναι υπεροχο μεσα στην απλοτητα του. Αφου, παρ'ολη τη δυναμη του, αποτυγχανει να σωσει απο πνιγμο ενα μικρο κοριτσακι, ο Batman υποκυπτει στο Venom για να ενισχυσει τις δυναμεις του. Το arc του ειναι αψεγαδιαστο. Δειχνει πανεμορφα την απογνωση/απογοητευση που οδηγει στην χρηση ναρκωτικου, υστερα ολο τον εξευτελισμο που προκαλει ο εθισμος του, μαζι με την αλλαγη στη συμπεριφορα του καθως και την απεξαρτηση. Και ειναι ακομη καλυτερο το οτι δεν σου αφηνει διδακτικη και preachy αισθηση. Δειχνει απλα το που μπορουν να φτασουν εναν ανθρωπο οι ψυχωσεις του.
Το μονο αρνητικο ειναι η σχεση του στρατιωτικου με τον γιο του (εχει προοπτικες αλλα φαινεται βεβιασμενη), αλλα μιας και το ζουμι εδω ειναι ο εθισμος του ηρωα, δεν πειραζει τοσο.
Στα συν, δεν λειπει και η over-the-top κουλαμαρα των κομιξ, με τον Batman να τα βαζει με ενα...καρχαρια (απλα συγχαρητηρια σε οποιον το σκεφτηκε). Επισης, σκιτσαρισμα/ χρωματα=υπεροχα
January 1, 2021
Part of my Batman comic book reread project. Continued from Robin: A Hero Reborn.
2.5 stars rounded up to three, though I want to give it one star. Not a bad story if you accept the premise... but I don't. Not at all. Batman would never, ever resort to taking performance enhancing drugs. For any reason. Ever. He certainly wouldn't casually pop them into his mouth at the first suggestion, I don't care how down in the dumps he was about not being able to save that little girl. And his non-reaction to the father's apathy regarding the girl's death is out of character as well. The writers really screw up the set-up here. And if he had been force fed drugs, he wouldn't become addicted. He has a spiritual/meditation regimen that would counteract that once he came down off his high, and that would work for anything but the most addictive substances. No... This is just wrong. So wrong. This is not Batman/Bruce Wayne.
That aspect of the story alone makes me want to assign one star to it, but I'm trying to be fair and factor in the rest. The addiction aspect notwithstanding, the story wasn't bad, but also nothing to write home about. I'd put that at three stars, but I'm subtracting half a star for the other shit.
I'm trying to collect all things related to Knightfall, and this is kind of a precursor to the prologue to the prelude of that saga, I guess? (The prologue is the Azrael tale.) That's the main reason I got it. The drug in question is Venom which is the sauce Bane gets juiced up on, and this is its origin story. It goes through a couple of changes between this story and when it becomes relevant in Knightfall, but that's covered in the Prelude to Knightfall story. A couple of other bat-villains dope themselves up on it as well during the Prelude. And while I have major problems with Batman becoming a junkie for a bit, what's done is done, and it is kind of cool to know that Batman has personal, first-hand experience with the drug. I haven't read the Prelude yet, and I hope that aspect is brought up.
But still, making Batman a dopefiend... Did the writers ever read a Batman comic before they started this? God dammit.
Next checkpoint: Sword of Azrael
2.5 stars rounded up to three, though I want to give it one star. Not a bad story if you accept the premise... but I don't. Not at all. Batman would never, ever resort to taking performance enhancing drugs. For any reason. Ever. He certainly wouldn't casually pop them into his mouth at the first suggestion, I don't care how down in the dumps he was about not being able to save that little girl. And his non-reaction to the father's apathy regarding the girl's death is out of character as well. The writers really screw up the set-up here. And if he had been force fed drugs, he wouldn't become addicted. He has a spiritual/meditation regimen that would counteract that once he came down off his high, and that would work for anything but the most addictive substances. No... This is just wrong. So wrong. This is not Batman/Bruce Wayne.
That aspect of the story alone makes me want to assign one star to it, but I'm trying to be fair and factor in the rest. The addiction aspect notwithstanding, the story wasn't bad, but also nothing to write home about. I'd put that at three stars, but I'm subtracting half a star for the other shit.
I'm trying to collect all things related to Knightfall, and this is kind of a precursor to the prologue to the prelude of that saga, I guess? (The prologue is the Azrael tale.) That's the main reason I got it. The drug in question is Venom which is the sauce Bane gets juiced up on, and this is its origin story. It goes through a couple of changes between this story and when it becomes relevant in Knightfall, but that's covered in the Prelude to Knightfall story. A couple of other bat-villains dope themselves up on it as well during the Prelude. And while I have major problems with Batman becoming a junkie for a bit, what's done is done, and it is kind of cool to know that Batman has personal, first-hand experience with the drug. I haven't read the Prelude yet, and I hope that aspect is brought up.
But still, making Batman a dopefiend... Did the writers ever read a Batman comic before they started this? God dammit.
Next checkpoint: Sword of Azrael
October 16, 2021
I always like reading these legends of the dark knight books as I find the writers always do some interesting things with the character in his early days and this book shows off that point perfectly!
After Batman fails to save a girl from drowning due to him not being strong enough, he begins to break down which isn’t helped by him being offered a drug called Venom (the drug that gives Bane his strength) to make him stronger.
I thought this was a very interesting look at Batman as a character as it tackles topics like addiction that Batman isn’t immune to since he is only human and seeing Batman fail and how he deals with it makes for a really good story. I also really liked the art in this, the panel layout makes it feel like it’s a modern comic and I loved the style of the art in general.
Overall I think this is a Batman story done right and gives me another reason to love this character.
After Batman fails to save a girl from drowning due to him not being strong enough, he begins to break down which isn’t helped by him being offered a drug called Venom (the drug that gives Bane his strength) to make him stronger.
I thought this was a very interesting look at Batman as a character as it tackles topics like addiction that Batman isn’t immune to since he is only human and seeing Batman fail and how he deals with it makes for a really good story. I also really liked the art in this, the panel layout makes it feel like it’s a modern comic and I loved the style of the art in general.
Overall I think this is a Batman story done right and gives me another reason to love this character.
July 18, 2020
A story with a ridiculous plot and filled with characters that do things that don't make any sense.
July 1, 2023
I believe this is the third time I’ve read this Batman story and I’ve probably had the same reaction each time. This is one of the absolute best Batman stories ever created. Period.
April 11, 2021
The writing/story was pretty weak at times. The art was pretty good though and the concept was neat.
April 12, 2019
BATMAN DOES DRUGS AND DRUGS ARE BAD is the basic plot here, meaning Venom is one of those books that feels a little frozen in the 90's "War on Drugs," when it was written. Arguably, O'Neil has been fighting the good fight against dopeheads ever since Speedy shot up the smack in 1971, but that in itself brings up an important point: O'Neil wrote Batman for decades, and outside of the moralizing, Venom feels incredibly fresh and well-written for its era. The conventions of superhero comics change surprisingly quickly over time (even if the characters themselves do not), and I've become increasingly aware how rare it is for a longtime writer to be able to spin a compelling yarn in the medium that doesn't just wax nostalgic for said writer's golden years. For all of its preaching, there's no doubt that this story has some serious bite, and that old Batty kicks some serious ass throughout. Even when the final chapter is given over almost entirely to escaping a hokey deathtrap, the results are engaging rather than just an eyeroll. By no means is Venom great, but it is surprisingly good.
SIDE NOTE: The story also does an excellent job on raising the stakes for Knightfall (published a year later) by foreshadowing the roots of the supersoldier program that would eventually produce Bat-nemesis Bane. Again, it's a lot of goofy superhero conventions redressed in modern clothing, but there are elements of the villainry in Venom that are impressively ruthless, and deepen the impact of Bane's impending arrival in the Bat-verse.
SIDE NOTE: The story also does an excellent job on raising the stakes for Knightfall (published a year later) by foreshadowing the roots of the supersoldier program that would eventually produce Bat-nemesis Bane. Again, it's a lot of goofy superhero conventions redressed in modern clothing, but there are elements of the villainry in Venom that are impressively ruthless, and deepen the impact of Bane's impending arrival in the Bat-verse.
May 18, 2018
A few years ago, I made a chronology for how to read modern Batman. I was focused quite a bit on creating the order, as opposed to just reading the books for enjoyment, so now I'm going back to see how the chronology holds up.
Apart from agreeing with my thesis that "If Nancy Reagan was as devout a Batman reader as Barack Obama is a Spider-Man fan, her favorite collection would probably be Venom.", I just can't find myself in agreement with the rest of my original review.
I've pulled it off of my continuity list. It's badly written, and presents a Bruce Wayne/Batman that's incredibly out-of-sync with every good Batman book out there. It makes sense that, once hooked on drugs, he'd behave differently, but his reasons for taking the drugs in the first place are so fr out of character for him as to make the whole premise nonsensical.
Trevor Von Eeden and Russel Braun's art is fine, but hardly inspirational.
I recommend it for people who find 1980s & 1990s After-School Specials to be the height of subtlety, and people who always hoped for an Elseworld tale where Bruce Wayne was an incompetent drug addict.
Apart from agreeing with my thesis that "If Nancy Reagan was as devout a Batman reader as Barack Obama is a Spider-Man fan, her favorite collection would probably be Venom.", I just can't find myself in agreement with the rest of my original review.
I've pulled it off of my continuity list. It's badly written, and presents a Bruce Wayne/Batman that's incredibly out-of-sync with every good Batman book out there. It makes sense that, once hooked on drugs, he'd behave differently, but his reasons for taking the drugs in the first place are so fr out of character for him as to make the whole premise nonsensical.
Trevor Von Eeden and Russel Braun's art is fine, but hardly inspirational.
I recommend it for people who find 1980s & 1990s After-School Specials to be the height of subtlety, and people who always hoped for an Elseworld tale where Bruce Wayne was an incompetent drug addict.
July 2, 2019
🎶”Don’t be Afraid to Pop Pills”🎵
Right from the start the aspect of this book that strikes and amazes
me the most the art in this book. It is very well done and gives off the
feel of the premise. Everything else in this book was either just the
definition of being just okay or nagging and annoying. There are so many
moments where the writers use very simple, unrealistic, and cheesey dialogue
that almost betrays the characters personalities. The main premise is fine, the
execution is questionable though. The main villains of this story are generic and
forgettable and there is a writing device that is used consistently throughout the
story that was very irritating and unnecessary. Tone is something that the writers
clearly couldn't decide on. The tone goes from mortally dark to light hearted and
funny. All in all Batman Venom is the mediocre you can get while not falling
through the line of intolerable. Letter Grade: (D)
Right from the start the aspect of this book that strikes and amazes
me the most the art in this book. It is very well done and gives off the
feel of the premise. Everything else in this book was either just the
definition of being just okay or nagging and annoying. There are so many
moments where the writers use very simple, unrealistic, and cheesey dialogue
that almost betrays the characters personalities. The main premise is fine, the
execution is questionable though. The main villains of this story are generic and
forgettable and there is a writing device that is used consistently throughout the
story that was very irritating and unnecessary. Tone is something that the writers
clearly couldn't decide on. The tone goes from mortally dark to light hearted and
funny. All in all Batman Venom is the mediocre you can get while not falling
through the line of intolerable. Letter Grade: (D)
June 8, 2012
I've seen others mention that this books starts off really well, but drops off towards the end, and that's completely true. The first two issues of Venom are great, a look at the worst aspects of Batman's obsession with fighting crime and his willingness to do whatever it takes to save lives. It's a really good dark, psychological thriller. But that's all in the first two issues. The rest of the series involves Batman tracking down and stopping a pair of uninteresting villains in typical Batman fashion.
Ultimately the book doesn't live up to it premise, but it's still an enjoyable five issues and worth reading if for nothing else then how it lays the foundation for Bane. Easily recommended for Batman fans, but measure your expectations accordingly. A good story, but not one of the all-time Batman greats.
Ultimately the book doesn't live up to it premise, but it's still an enjoyable five issues and worth reading if for nothing else then how it lays the foundation for Bane. Easily recommended for Batman fans, but measure your expectations accordingly. A good story, but not one of the all-time Batman greats.
September 23, 2010
This reads mostly like a very special after school special where we watch Batman get hooked on laced roids because he wasn't strong enough to save a little girl whom he watched die.
Hamster are good.
Pizza is good.
Birthday parties are REAL good.
Drugs are bad.
I don't do drugs.
And neither should Batman. It makes him laugh...a lot, which is terrifying because Batman doesn't really laugh. The story was engaging enough but most of the stars are going right to Alfred for being Batman's sassy gay friend in this very special after school special. Seriously, Alfred had me laughing out loud.
Despite this, I'm not certain Venom belongs on either list.
Hamster are good.
Pizza is good.
Birthday parties are REAL good.
Drugs are bad.
I don't do drugs.
And neither should Batman. It makes him laugh...a lot, which is terrifying because Batman doesn't really laugh. The story was engaging enough but most of the stars are going right to Alfred for being Batman's sassy gay friend in this very special after school special. Seriously, Alfred had me laughing out loud.
Despite this, I'm not certain Venom belongs on either list.
May 1, 2013
A very enjoyable look back at the earlier years of Batman's career as he finds himself at the mercy of a drug that enables him to exhibit superhuman strength.
The emotional core of this story is excellent, and at times the book goes very dark, but never over the top. This is an intensely personal tale about the Batman, and a must-read for fans of the character. Alfred provides brief moments of levity to keep it from being too depressing, thankfully.
The art is quite quite dated and of its time, but tells the story clearly and without problems. If it was a bit stronger, this would have gotten the full five stars.
The emotional core of this story is excellent, and at times the book goes very dark, but never over the top. This is an intensely personal tale about the Batman, and a must-read for fans of the character. Alfred provides brief moments of levity to keep it from being too depressing, thankfully.
The art is quite quite dated and of its time, but tells the story clearly and without problems. If it was a bit stronger, this would have gotten the full five stars.
August 1, 2020
This is such a dark, depressing Batman story. Borderline soulless. I didn’t hate it, but it’s so dismal. A guy let’s his daughter die, a man turns his own son into a mindless drone, there’s implied rape, and quite a few people die. I think it fits more of a Punisher tone than a Batman tone.
But, I still enjoyed things about it. The art is good, and the dialogue has a pretty good flow for being an early 90s comic.
All in all, I can’t say I recommend it... but it’s not bad.
But, I still enjoyed things about it. The art is good, and the dialogue has a pretty good flow for being an early 90s comic.
All in all, I can’t say I recommend it... but it’s not bad.
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