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Creative Team – Taigami(writer & artist). Mattia Iacono(color artist). VC’s Joe Sabino(letterer). Aki Yanagi(translation). Taigami & Richard Isanove(cover artists). Gerardo Sandoval, Jesus Aburtov, Philip Tan, Bryan Valenza, Whilce Portacio, Alex Sinclair, Inhyuk Lee, John Tyler Christopher(variant cover artists).
Published by Marvel Entertainment
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The Oni that won’t die
Kid Venom #1 starts in Japan, 977, with Kintaro and his symbiote, Clinter. Kintaro is an apprentice of the Minamoto Samurai Corps. Kintaro, or Kid Venom, is fighting off a symbiote, or Oni as they’re called in this world, with Clinter but they’re having trouble with it. Clinter says no matter how much he eats of it, it won’t die. There’s also no memories in the Oni, which is strange since symbiotes usually have memories of its hosts. Turns out, this Oni doesn’t have a host. Usui-San, a member of the Minamoto Samurai Corps, plans to burn everything including the Oni, since there’s no host to save.
How did that get there?!
Kintaro and Usui-San hurry to the capital where their master, Minamoto Yorimitsu, awaits their return and their reasoning for why they’re late. The two inform him of their adventures with the Oni and have startling news to go along with the story. After they burned the Oni, they found something in the ashes. They can’t quite figure it out what it is, but we all know exactly what it is. How did it get there? In Japan? In 977?!
Coming of Age
With all the excitement of today’s adventure, they still have a 14th birthday ceremony for Kintaro to enjoy! At the ceremony, Kintaro inherits a new name, Sakata Kintoki. Just as Minamoto Yorimitsu is about to speak on Sakata’s father, the Oni they battled earlier makes an appearance. But this time, there’s so many more of them and they’re a much bigger threat.
The Art
I love the Japanese cultural art style of Kid Venom #1. It’s muted background tones work so well with the brightness of the Oni. The drawings make you feel like you’re reading an actual manga, with its anime style character drawings. One thing I really loved was how Clinter looked with the darkest of blues mixed with black. It felt very dramatic in the best possible way.
The Writing
I think the writing was fantastic. It kept me on captivated in every panel very easily. The story was fun with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. This felt like a Venom comic, but a much more serious and substantial version of it. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Clinter and Kid Venom, Sakata Kintoki.
I give this an 8.5 out of 10
This article was written by me, Megan from Vigilante Vibes: A Marvel Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Kid Venom #1, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!
