Potential spoilers for Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow 4 ahead!
The Venom symbiote is using the brain power of Reed Richards, AKA Mr. Fantastic, to make itself stronger. In a special preview of Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow 4, the symbiote has taken both Reed Richards and the Thing hostage, and it is up to Spider-Man to rescue them before the symbiote becomes all-powerful.
Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow presents readers with a fascinating “what-if” scenario, one in which Spider-Man did not relinquish control of the black, symbiote costume when he did. The results are horrifying: under the dark influence of the suit, Spider-Man spirals out of control, attacking J. Jonah Jameson and others. In retaliation, Jameson allies himself with the Sinister Six, who lay a trap for Spider-Man, and are ultimately able to separate Spider-Man from the symbiote. It is not the end of the road, however, as the symbiote finds its way into the hands of the Fantastic Four. Reed is studying it when the symbiote takes control of him; it also enslaves the Thing. With a combination of brains and brawn now at its disposal, the Venom symbiote is now more powerful than ever, and it's on Spider-Man to end the threat of the symbiote once and for all.
In a special preview, provided to AIPT, Spider-Man, the Avengers and the remaining members of the Fantastic Four have gathered outside the Baxter Building. They are trying to break in, but to no avail. Iron Man notes that all previous methods of hurting the symbiote have failed, and it is as if the symbiote has gotten stronger. Iron Man goes on to speculate that the symbiote might be using Reed Richards’ superior brain power to enhance itself. The preview ends with the symbiote still screaming out for Spider-Man before letting him into the Baxter building.
The preview leaves readers wondering exactly how Spider-Man will be able to defeat a symbiote that is stronger than ever thanks to Reed Richards. Using Richards’ intellect to upgrade itself is a stroke of genius and shows just how dangerous the symbiote is and that Spider-Man has made the right decision in abandoning it. The preview shows he still has a connection to the symbiote—perhaps this connection will be what stops it? And not only must Spider-Man contend with a symbiote-enhanced Reed Richards, but the Thing as well, which complicates matters greatly.
Spider-Man’s decision to forsake the black symbiote costume was one of the wisest moves of his career and Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow proves why: the Venom symbiote was not only a threat to Spider-Man, but the entire Marvel Universe as well. The book is written by Chip Zdarsky, with art by Pasqual Ferry, colors by Matt Hollingsworth and letters by Joe Caramagna, and goes on sale July 14 in print and digital.
Source: AIPT