With Flash Thompson's involvement in helping to put a stop to Spider-Island, there are some loose ends he needs to tie up before moving forward. How he ties them up is what needs to be seen.
The Good
Seeing the solicit for this issue with a focus on the aftermath of Spider-Island and Flash coping with his loss, I had deep fears this was going to be a filler issue. Issue #10 is marked as a "new beginning." Noticing that Rick Remender was still writing and Stefano Caselli was handling the art, there was hope.
If anything, this issue continues to show us that Flash Thompson is a hero. He had to leave his dying father and Betty behind when the infestation began (which lead to his involvement in Spider-Island). You would think his top priority would be to take care of his personal business after everything that happened during Spider-Island but that's not what a hero does. When there are lives being threatened, there is no choice.
It turns out lives are more than just 'at risk.' I would imagine there's one thing Venom fans want to see. They want to see more of the symbiote cutting loose. Let's just say that Flash has reasons to get a little bit angry. What happens if Flash gets too angry while wearing the Venom suit...?
There were scenes where I actually did have to pause and I think I might've gasped a little once or twice. You might think you know what's coming but you don't really expect it to turn out the way it does. Rick Remender doesn't just deliver a typical aftermath issue. There's some heavy stuff that happens here. And Stefano Caselli's art is top notch as always. I would imagine it must be fun to draw Venom in his different types of actions.
The story wraps things up nicely and sets up the stage for the next arc.
The Bad
While there is plenty of action, suspense and emotion, it still has tiny elements of a filler issue. It's a damn fine filler issue but we only really have one major event that will give repercussions in future issues. Venom fights an insignificant villain (but it is a great fight). Depending on how the events here are carried over into future issues, it's easy to see this story being overlooked as the new action begins in issue #10. I also thought Venom's tongue got a little too long. I never cared for the long tongue on Venom. What does he really need a tongue that long for? Actually, I don't really need to know.
The Verdict
Spider-Island kept Flash busy as Venom and there was a slight interruption in his own stories but now that the event is over, Flash can take care of his own problems. Being the hero he is, there is an intense battle with a villain that he can't overlook for the sake of the innocent lives that are threatened. Remender pushes the limits and we see Flash get a little angry during the fight. You can imagine what Flash getting angry will mean in terms of the Venom action here. Stefano Caselli draws a great looking Venom and you can really see the fluid motion of the suit as he moves around. There may not have been an A-list villain here but some big things happen that will hopefully carry over into the next issue. Remender took what seemed to be a calm issue and cranked up the action and suspense. I thought I knew what was coming but actually found myself gasping a little in surprise. If this is just a warm up for the a "new beginning" next issue, I can't wait to see what Remender has cooking.