Marvel’s All-New Venom is Recreating Iron Man’s Worst Power

3 weeks ago 10

John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

The following contains major spoilers for Venom #251, on sale November 12 from Marvel Comics.

Marvel's All-New Venom is filling in for Iron Man, and the key to keeping it secret lies in recreating one particularly humbling superpower.

In a preview of Venom #251 (by Al Ewing, Paco Medina, Frank D'Armata, and VC's Clayton Cowles) from Marvel Comics, Mary Jane Watson's latest commercial shoot is interrupted by the sounds of sirens nearby. After slipping out the back to head into action, the Venom symbiote reminds MJ that they are still the city's number one fugitive. Fortunately, Venom already knows how to play the role of Iron Man, right down to the jet-powered roller skates that don't even begin to make up for a lack of flying.

Venom #251

Written by AL EWING
Art by PACO MEDINA
Colors by FRANK D'ARMATA
Letters by VC's CLAYTON COWLES
Design by CARLOS LAO and JAY BOWEN
Main cover art by CARLOS GÓMEZ & FRANK MARTIN
Variant covers by INHYUK LEE; JEROME OPEÑA; PUPPETEER LEE; and SKAN

Developed by Tony Stark himself, the jet-powered roller skates made their comic book debut back in the opening story from 1963's Tales of Suspense #40, "Iron Man Versus Gargantus!" by Stan Lee, Robert Bernstein, and Jack Kirby. Originally created for use by the United States military, Stark's patented jet-powered roller skates can carry their wearer at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour with ease. Eventually, Tony decided to incorporate the jet-powered roller skates into the second iteration of his Iron Man armor in order to provide a speedy means of transportation that would conserve energy otherwise needed for flight and repulsor systems.

As surprising as it might be to see Mary Jane Watson take on the role of Venom, she and the superheroic symbiote have spent more than a year bonded to one another. The two initially found one another following the events of Marvel Comics' Venom War, during which both Mary Jane and Venom were in desperate need of help. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding their bond have made it potentially lethal for the two to separate, at least without some serious help. That being said, neither has had any real trouble acclimating to one another, especially not after they have spent so much time coming to terms with the very specific place they each hold in the other's life.

While fans have certainly been enamored with MJ's stint as the All-New Venom, they also know that it won't be long before Venom itself picks up a brand-new set of duds courtesy of an early preview for Venom #252 from Marvel Comics. Back in September, Marvel Comics unveiled a whole host of covers for Venom #252, each showcasing the titular symbiote rocking a red-and-blue look that is decidedly reminiscent of Spider-Man's own. The official solicit synopsis for Venom #252 from Marvel Comics reads, "THE RUMORS ARE TRUE! Venom has a brand-new red-and-blue suit – and a brand-new name to go with it! How will the people of New York react when they find out that the city’s newest Spider-Man is the SYMBIOTE they love to loathe? Luke Cage and Otto Octavius are ready to debate the matter – with their fists! PLUS: A bonus tale of the origin of an even All-NEWER Venom! AND a celebratory flashback story by the team behind the classic AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #252!"

Venom #251 goes on sale November 12 from Marvel Comics.