It’s honestly such an exciting time to be reading Venom right now — especially with MJ piloting Venom. That alone is such a bold and fascinating creative choice. It gives both Mary Jane Watson and the Venom symbiote a real opportunity to grow — not just together, but separately as well. It opens up different dimensions to their game, their personalities, and their approach to being “heroes” (or anti-heroes, depending on the day).
More importantly, it brings both MJ and Venom right to the forefront of the Spider-Man and broader Marvel Universe. The events happening in these pages clearly feel like they’re building toward something bigger — something that will matter in the upcoming Spider-Man calendar. It’s a good time to be a Venom fan, because this doesn’t feel like a side story. It feels like setup for something major.
PROS
MJ is not just a host — she’s a player
One of the best parts of this issue is seeing that MJ is not a passive host. She’s not just along for the ride while the symbiote does the heavy lifting. She is actively helping Venom during their massive brawl with Madame Masque.
MJ comes off as strong, experienced, and composed. She gives tactical advice and strategic direction during the chaos, which is such a refreshing shift. Venom openly acknowledges that his past host was basically a gym addict — someone who relied heavily on brute strength, brawn, and raw power. That mentality shaped Venom’s instincts: hit hard, overpower, dominate.
But MJ brings something different.
She brings intelligence.
She brings wisdom.
She brings lived experience.
And honestly? She brings charm.
That combination is going to make Venom very interesting over the next few months. This isn’t just a power pairing — it’s a personality pairing. And it works.
The art delivers pure chaos
This issue is essentially one giant, explosive brawl — and the art absolutely delivers. The fight between Venom/MJ and Madame Masque in her upgraded armor is wild, frantic, messy, and destructive in the best way possible.
Buildings get wrecked.
Armor gets smashed.
Explosions go off everywhere.
But despite all the chaos, the action remains clear and easy to follow — which is crucial in a fight-heavy issue like this. It’s visually loud but narratively focused. A true one-on-one spectacle that never loses its pacing.
If you wanted a high-energy slugfest, this issue gives it to you.
MJ and Venom’s chemistry is surprisingly strong
Another standout element is the chemistry between MJ and the symbiote. You can genuinely see how they complement one another. There’s banter. There’s push-and-pull. There’s tension — but it’s productive tension.
They aren’t fully synchronized yet, but they’re learning. And that growth process is fascinating. Venom isn’t just overpowering MJ’s personality — they’re blending in interesting ways. This dynamic feels fresh, and it gives the series a distinct identity moving forward.
Madame Masque gets to shine
It’s also worth highlighting how powerful Madame Masque is portrayed here. She’s not just cannon fodder. Her new armor makes her genuinely dangerous, and she holds her own in the fight.
However, what makes this issue more compelling is the bigger picture. It becomes increasingly clear that A.I.M. is playing a larger game behind the scenes. Madame Masque may be the immediate threat, but she feels like a piece on a much bigger chessboard.
That layered villainy works. It creates anticipation and adds weight to what might otherwise have been “just a fight issue.”
That final page tease…
The last page is especially effective. Without spoiling specifics, it heavily teases the return of a certain past Venom host — and of course, Venom’s ultimate frenemy: Carnage.
That alone raises the stakes instantly.
You can feel that the madness is about to escalate in a serious way. This wasn’t just a standalone battle — it was the spark before the fire.
CONS
It feels more like setup than payoff
If there’s one downside, it’s that this issue functions heavily as a setup chapter. While the action is fun and explosive, it clearly exists to position pieces for something bigger down the line. Some readers might want more emotional depth or narrative movement beyond the fight.
But honestly, as a bridge issue leading into what looks like major chaos ahead, it does its job well.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Conclusion
Overall, Venom #254 is a strong and energetic setup chapter that continues to prove why MJ piloting Venom is such a compelling direction. I’m genuinely glad MJ is getting this opportunity to establish herself as a force within the Marvel Universe. She isn’t just Spider-Man’s supporting character anymore — she’s carving out her own space.
And Venom? Still a major player when it comes to the overall Spider-Man line of comics and stories. With bigger threats looming and familiar faces about to re-enter the picture, it feels like the symbiote saga is about to get even more intense.
If this is the calm before the storm, I’m ready for the storm.
English (US) · 