The Good
As I've mentioned in previous reviews of this mini-series, I really picked this book up for Clayton Crain's art, but stayed for Zeb Wells' writing. I loved how Crain drew the symbiotes when they weren't attached to their hosts. They were very spider-like and very cool. The thing I like most about Crain's art in this issue is that there really isn't anyone else doing art like this. It's eye-catching, and it's so unique.
Venom Gorilla and Carnage Giraffe? Ok, that's pretty awesome.
It's a pretty good wrap-up to the story. All the loose ends have been tied up (except for one), and everything is seeming like it's getting back to normal. The real highlight of the issue is Flash and Cletus battling it out, both of them without legs. It goes back and forth for a while, it's pretty violent, but in the end, it may not be the fight you wanted, but it was just as good as I expected it to be.
So, the Venom sybiote actually likes Flash Thompson? I don't know if this will play out in other books, but I liked this little tid-bit that while Venom is bonded with Flash, there's a sense of loyalty between the two characters and they actually like each other. I felt that was a really cool element in the issue, even though it's just a couple lines of dialogue.
The Bad
There's lots of white, negative space throughout the book. It feels so vacant.
There's so much damage and destruction, and by the end, I felt a little bummed out because while the good guys won the overall battle, people's lives are ruined, and I feel there's still more of a story to be told, at least 2-issues worth.
The Verdict
While it may be sad this series is over, at least it went out on top.
I enjoyed Crain's art in this issue, and I loved how he drew the symbiotes sans-host. It's a solid finish to a good story, and the Flash vs Cletus battle was pretty brutal and intense. Lastly, I really enjoyed the little moment where we learn that Venom and Flash actually like each other.
On the down side of things, there was a ton of negative space in this issue which was very distracting and a bit of a bummer. I also felt like this mini-series needed another issue to wrap-up a couple loose ends involving the townspeople and the town they destroyed.
I highly recommend this issue and this series, it was a ton of fun.