‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ (2012), part of Disney XD’s Marvel Universe animation block, continued Sunday, April 15, 2012 with its fourth episode, “Venom.” However, after watching the episode, I feel as though I’m the one who has been poisoned.

The episode begins with Spider-Man (Drake Bell) speeding down subway tracks trying to escape a tentacle-wielding robot. He doesn’t know the origin of the mysterious attacker but he can tell it wants to capture him. After a high-speed chase, “Spidey” manages to outmaneuver the robot and it gets hit by a train, but not before getting a bit of his DNA unbeknownst to him.

The robot reports back to Doctor Otto Octavius (Tom Kenny), also known as Doctor Octopus, who is working for Norman Osborn to isolate the irradiated spider elements in Spider-Man’s blood to make the perfect weapon. However, the substance he isolates from Spider-Man’s blood is sentient and escapes, looking for its original host.

Meanwhile, Peter narrowly escapes being late for homeroom with the help of Harry Osborn (Matt Lanter), his best friend. Harry asks Peter if he wants to go watch a movie with Mary Jane (Tara Strong) later that afternoon, but Peter’s teammates, Nova, White Tiger, Power Man, and Iron Fist, who also attend his high school as students, show up to talk about their next mission.

Since Harry doesn’t know Peter is Spider-Man, he thinks Peter is blowing him off and gets angry. After ditching his team, Peter consults Mary Jane, who suggests taking his friends to Harry’s place for the movie to help them get along; however, Harry is mad and changes the movie night to a full-blown party, inviting the entire school.

After Peter and company arrive at the party, the symbiote finds them and starts attacking people. Peter and his team suit up and find that the symbiote can possess any one of them and use their powers, but it really just wants to reunite with Peter. After a long difficult fight, they manage to electrocute it and it disappears.

Thus far, this is the worst episode of the bunch. First, Spider-Man overdoses on jokes during the first fight sequence with the robot and during the second fight the symbiote jumps from host to host. As usual, the audience is left to assume this is because he’s just a hyperactive teenager, but the fact that he doesn’t seem to care that this violent sentient goo is forcing his friends to fight each other makes him seem like an unthoughtful jerk.

Second, the origin of Venom is changed completely and does not seem to follow the comic book continuity from ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ or ‘the Amazing Spider-Man’. In ‘the Amazing Spider-Man’, the symbiote is an extraterrestrial being. In ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’, it is a genetically designed suit made by Eddie Brock and Peter Parker’s parents as a cure for cancer that just went wrong.

In the show, the symbiote is a purified version of Spider-Man’s DNA and it just feels like a completely unnecessary change that has nothing to do with Eddie Brock. To add insult to injury, when the symbiote takes over Peter, it calls itself “Venom.” It’s just wrong on so many levels for Venom to not be Eddie Brock. Brock has been a formidable villain in the comic books and cartoons in which he has starred, so to be completely left out of the symbiote’s origin is an unlikable change.

Third, the continued focus on Spider-Man’s teammates rather than Harry and Mary Jane, his best friends, is grating. The show feels less like ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ and more like ‘Spider-Man and his Irritating Friends.’ None of his teammates have developed past the first stage of their introductions. The only one with an outstanding feature is Sam, aka Nova, who is the obnoxious loud-mouthed hothead of the group as well as the most annoying character on the show thus far.

The team’s continued interruption in Peter’s life drains all enjoyment out of the show, which is odd considering one of the writers for the show is Paul Dini—an excellent ensemble character writer who most recognize for helping build the DCAU (DC Animated Universe).

Overall, this is an extremely weak episode with a distasteful take on the Venom mythos. Hopefully, it is just a bad apple in the cart, but there is no telling what lies on the horizon from our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Keep your fingers crossed.

Grade: 2/5

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Marvel fans rejoice! An array of new comics are on their way as you can join the hunt for Blink in this first look at New Mutants #35. Just as Dani Moonstar and her team have the renegade mutant fall into their laps, they must go head to head against chaotic forces summoned by a group of death metal rockers. Can the New Mutants put an end to the music AND get Blink back in time? Find out in New Mutants #35.

February is going to be an action packed month for another addiction, Venom, but before the insanity begins we’ve got your first look at January’s jaw dropping Venom Variants.

Brought to you by some of the best artists in the industry, get ready for a unique look at your favorite Marvel heroes as they get infected by symbiotes.

Kicking off February with a bang, Venom makes unholy alliances with Red Hulk, Ghost Rider & X-23 to save Sin City, Las Vegas, from total chaos in Venom: Circle of Four. Then, just as Rick Remender and Gabriel Hardman take the reins as the new creative team of Secret Avengers, they draft Venom to the team’s lineup!

Finally, your first look at Secret Avengers #20 is right here – the Secret Avengers are dead and only the Black Widow can save them.

Fan favorite creators Warren Ellis & Alex Maleev send the Black Widow on her most secret mission yet; even her teammates don’t know she’s on it. Can the world’s greatest secret agent save the team alone? Find out as Ellis’ critically acclaimed run on Secret Avengers continues in Secret Avengers #20. Run the mission. Don’t get seen. Save the world!

Want to know more about X-Men Regenesis, Venom and the Secret Avengers? Head on over to Marvel.com and get in on the action.

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The wait is finally over for fans of Joss Whedon fantasy, as Dark Horse and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products announce the arrival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse and Angel in the Dark Horse digital store.

As rave reviews and support for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 and the all-new series Angel and Faith continue, casual and hardcore fans will now be able to experience previous Buffy, Angel, and Dollhouse comics on all-new platforms! Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse are licensed through an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

Now, fans are encouraged to head over to Digital.DarkHorse.com to download issues of all three of these titles today, with multiple issues available for purchase. Fans can now download the first twenty issues of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1-20, as well as Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #1,2 &3.

“This marks another important turning point in Dark Horse’s digital initiative,” said Dark Horse president and founder, Mike Richardson. “Joss Whedon’s incredible characters have become some of our most popular, and now fans from all over the world can see them like they never have been seen before!”

“Our history with Dark Horse has been incredibly successful, giving fans of these characters all new ways to enjoy their stories,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “This transition opens a whole new chapter in our relationship and will give readers an exciting opportunity to experience the comics on some of the hottest digital platforms.”

Going forward, Dark Horse will release a mix of new and backlist titles weekly. Stay in the know on all of your favorite titles, and sign up for the Dark Horse Digital newsletter at https://Digital.DarkHorse.com.

Even if you’re not a Whedon fan, there’s still new kicks in the horizon. Venom is on the run from his country and he’ll have to turn to the one person he despises the most for help in your first look at Venom #11.

From critically acclaimed writer Rick Remender and red-hot artist Lan Medina, Venom has nowhere left to go and when he’s able to finally find some help; it may be the worst decision he’s made yet. That’s right, it’s the team-up you never thought you’d see as Venom teams with Jack-O-Lantern. How bad can things be that Flash Thompson has to side with his archenemy? Find out this December, in Venom #11.

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Next year, critically acclaimed creators Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force) & Gabriel Hardman (Hulk) take readers deep under cover in Secret Avengers. Captain America has tasked Hawkeye with putting together a brand new team, ushering in a new era for the Secret Avengers. When the call is put out for heroes to save the Marvel Universe from its most dangerous foes, the biggest powerhouses will answer.

America’s Secret Soldier — Venom, The UK’s premiere super hero — Captain Britain, Founding Avenger — Giant-Man and more will join ranks to create a team that will have fans everywhere demanding more. Packed to the brim with action, intrigue, insurmountable odds and covers by legendary artist Arthur Adams — no fan can miss this!

“Our opening arc will have a big secret war, a big secret new world, a big secret new race, a big team death, a big secret team betrayal, and begin a secret affair. High stakes, intrigue, and tons of character drama as we unearth the mystery surrounding familiar automaton villains reimagined as members of a new species — The Descendants!” exclaimed Remender.

“I’m a tremendous fan of Gabe’s work; he’s one of the best storytellers in the business, always puts clarity first, while still managing engaging and dynamic action. I’m beyond excited to have him joining me on Secret Avengers. And having Art Adams on covers is truly a dream come true.”

Kicking off this January in Secret Avengers #21.1 by Remender and red-hot artist Patrick Zircher, fans can get a taste of what we’ve got planned before Gabriel Hardman jumps on board as the ongoing artist with Secret Avengers #22.

“Secret Avengers gives me the opportunity to draw an exciting group of heroes who I’ve never drawn before as well as design new villains and new worlds. Hawkeye, Beast and Valkyrie have been favorites of mine since I was a kid. That combined that with the crazy big, black ops tinged action/adventure makes this a book I had to draw,” explained Hardman.

“Rick is known for his wildly inventive scripts and he really delivers with Secret Avengers. This is an epic story that will have big repercussions. That’s the kind of storytelling I like to be involved with.”

With Hawkeye at the helm, Captain America’s strike force team must dodge Adaptoids, Descendants and the biggest threats to the Marvel Universe — without anyone knowing, in Secret Avengers.

Finally, while the Secret Avengers takes exciting new leaps, the Dark Angel saga is coming to an end. Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to the critically acclaimed Dark Angel Saga from the blockbuster creative team of Rick Remender, Jerome Opeña & Dean White, this December in the polybagged Uncanny X-Force #18.

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It’s a brand new direction for Flash Thompson as artist Lan Medina (Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm) joins Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force) in your first look at Venom #10.

The identity of Venom is in the hands of the villainous Crime-Master and Flash will do anything to keep it from getting out – even if it means going rogue. That’s right, Venom has broken the rules and not only is he on the top of the Americas Most Wanted list, but Captain America’s out to get him. This December, America’s Secret Soldier goes against America’s Super Soldier in Venom #10.

Dark Horse Comics has also teamed up with dark fantasy author Caitlin R. Kiernan for a brand new project; details have not been released yet but the folks at Dark Horse have let out a teaser image that comic blog sites have described as “wicked cool.”

According to ComicBookResources.com, the crouching figure is the fantasy author’s character Dancy Flammarion, a “monster-hunting albino from the Florida backwoods” who was first introduced in Threshold from 2001. Dancy later appeared in the short story collection Alabaster from 2006. ComicBookResource.com could furthermore report that the  “excited but relatively tight-lipped” author told fans on her Livejournal that the official announcement on the new comic will be ready on Wednesday.

Kiernan has worked with comics before as she did The Sandman spinoff The Dreaming and the miniseries The Girl Who Would Be Death.

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