It’s been a long time since theVenomspotlight came to rest upon Eugene “Flash” Thompson, the one-time host of the iconic symbiote. The underrated war hero is still shining as the all-whiteAnti-Venom, but the newest symbiote costume unlocked by Flash instantly ranks among the best ever designed. So why is Marvel getting rid of it already?
The staggeringly superior symbiote costume makes its official debut in the pages ofAll-New Venom#9 by Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez, and Frank D’Armata. With Venom and his son Sleeper joining forces to escape imprisonment. But their plan meets a hitch when Toxin, child of the Carnage symbiote, is left too weak to move autonomously. In need of a host, Flash shows up in the nick of time.
Subduing his own latentAnti-Venom nature (instantly lethal to any living symbiote), Flash demonstrates his experience and morality, merging with Toxin to help it escape. And in the process, debuting what is instantly one ofthe best new Spider/Venom/Symbiote suitsin recent memory.
New Toxin Design is The Best Symbiote Suit in Years
As Flash admits, his own visual style is a major influence in the shaping of Toxin to his own body. Built with some of the most iconic ‘body armor’ aspects of his time as Venom, Agent Venom, and Anti-Venom, the style has arguably been perfected with this update. Single, subdued spikes on the joints of the suit make it distinct, whilethe Spidey-esque paint schemeshines.
Unfortunately, Marvel Comics has already confirmed that this new incarnation of Toxin and Thompson as a symbiote character is not “long term,” as Venom promises. Despite being the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous character to join the symbiote-suited ranks in years, this is a “one-off.”
This New Form of Toxin is Already Being Undone By Marvel
As Marvel Editor Jordan D. White explains toAIPT, the excitement is understandable. Alas, Marvel is already writing this character off as a one-and-done show stealer.
The next issue of All-New Venom sees Toxin bonding with Flash Thompson. Do you see this shaping Flash’s identity moving forward, or maybe this is just a one-off joining?
Jordan D. White: Well–Flash has Anti-Venom flowing through his veins,so he cannot bond with Toxin long-term. It’s a one-off for now. But that is a heck of a look when he does it, isn’t it?
Considering how difficult it is to come up with an eye-catching superhero suit design, let alone one ina Spider-Man family overstuffed with variants, the dismissal is guaranteed to raise eyebrows. With so much resting interest in Flash Thompson, and a costume seemingly made for a bold new role, it’s hard not to look at this as a missed opportunity.
