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fandom4ever's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Batman: Venom was published in 1991. It’s the first appearance of the drug Venom, but here it’s in pill form. I never knew that this was the precursor to Knightfall! But it absolutely is; the later issues have much of the set-up leading into that story. The story premise is an interesting one: Batman fails to save a child, realizing for the first time that he is only human, and seeks to become more, turning to a new drug called Venom.
The second issue jumps forward three months and we find that Bruce has been taking Venom every day, and multiple pills if the art is any indication. His personality has begun to change but according to him, nothing is wrong. Bruce is a very obsessive man, so it makes absolute sense that he would hold himself 100% accountable for the young girl’s death and be distraught enough to seek an easy solution. Also, his need to always be in control would convince him that he has the pills handled and his life is not spiraling out of control, just like a drug addict.
This was a great story. I really liked the way this story brought Bruce down low before he finally realizes the negative effects of what he’s been doing. When he decides to stop using Venom he has to fight to overcome that addiction with all that entails; for later on we get to see that he won’t ever truly be cured. One false move and he could fall into that trap all over again. It’s a conscious effort every day to overcome those shortcomings and improve his life. It was a very humanizing story for Batman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
blebor6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Violence, and Xenophobia
matarib's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very interesting concept. Half was very compelling, but the villain plot near the end wasn't great. Either should have been half the amount of issues or double. Either way, the focus should have stayed more on Bruce's internal development and less on the external conflict.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
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