5. The Last Temptation of Eddie Brock
Sensational Spider-Man issues #38 & #39, written by Riverdale showrunner Roberto Acquire-Sacasa, ran through the Spider-Man event post-Civil War called “Back in Black.” These issues can be found in the Spider-Man: Back in Black collection. The world knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man, and his family has paid the price. Aunt May has been shot by a bullet that was meant for Peter and Mary Jane, but his spider-sense caused him to act and save MJ, allowing the bullet to pass by and strike poor old Aunt May. Meanwhile, Eddie Brock recently gave up his symbiote and after learning it bonded with Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, to kill a number of innocents, Eddie felt responsible and again tried to take his own life. He cut his wrists, which sadly for him didn’t kill him, but landed him in a hospital down the hall from a dying Aunt May. With small traces of the symbiote still in his blood, the evil voice in his head tries to get Eddie to get revenge on Peter by ensuring Aunt May dies. Can Eddie do it? Is there enough of a soul left to save? I recommend picking this up and judging for yourself what kind of man Eddie Brock truly is.
As an honorable mention, I will say that beyond Eddie, Venom does get a stellar comic run courtesy of Rick Remender and Cullen Bunn with their Agent Venom story arc. The symbiote bonds to Flash Thompson, Peter Parker’s high school bully-turned-Vietnam-Veteran, and the stories are truly some of the best this character has ever gotten. Pick those trade paperbacks up if you want a different perspective on the Venom storyline. And also pick up the first appearance of Carnage (in Carnage Classics) and any of the Zeb Wells or Gerry Conway Carnage stuff if you wanna learn more about that nasty character.
If you dig this list or have any stories you’d like to add or exchange for ones on this list, let them be known in the comments, or come over to my YouTube Channel (Venom Vlog) where I host a show that focuses on the history of Venom and covers any and all news about the upcoming film starring Tom Hardy and share your thoughts there.