Chris Wallace said:
It's largely visual appeal. Read some of the pro-Venom posts & you'll see what I mean.
Oh, I've read them. If liking a villain based purely on appearance is what does it for some folk, well then so be it.
Me, I prefer some decent characterization. That is what drives a story after all.
Ock & GG's impact on Spidey's life is largely psychological, as they have done things that affect him personally. Handing him his first defeat ever. Killing his girlfriend in front of him. Trying to marry his aunt. Turning his best friend against him. Making him question the very validity of his existence. SAVING HIS LIFE so that he'd be around to kill later! I too, fail to see the symbiote fascination even though I was once swayed by it. Venom's invasions of his personal life do little nmore than scare Peter, & if the symbiote couldn't sneak up on him (which is something Norman can do as well) he'd have nothing. Mimicking his powers? Mysterio can do that! KRAVEN HAS EVEN MANAGED TO DO THAT. And you're right about his motivation making no sense. He's the one who ran a high-profile story w/o checking his facts. Spidey didn't apprehend Carter to discredit Brock; he did it because the man had to be stopped. Which is what he does. Brock also has a warped perception of who's innocent & who isn't. Then there's the fact that, while the symbiote can look like anything, he chooses to stick to the spider motif. Why? If he hates him so damn much, why wear his symbol & swing around on webs? I don't wear a Britney Spears t-shirt. Tom Sneddon doesn't wear penny loafers & sequined socks.
Exactly.
But I think the thing that bothered me most about the Spidey/Venom stories, is how Peter was written as such a WUSS in them.
Instead of rising to the challenge, and figuring out a way to beat Venom, he'd turn and run with his tail between his legs. I mean, no wonder Venom became popular with Spidey being written like such a wimp like that. I mean, if Batman did that every time he faced the Joker, or Superman with Lex Luthor, would people consider them an arch nemesis?? I sure wouldn't. An arch nemesis is supposed to challenge the hero to the max, with the hero ultimately overcoming the odds and triumphing.
That's another reason why Venom doesn't get my respect. He never brought out the hero in Peter. He never did anything to enrich Peter as a character.
Take Ock and Goblin. During Stan Lee's run alone for example, each time Ock appeared he was more dangerous than before, forcing Peter to up his game and rise to the challenge.
And each Ock story had some major significant impact on Spidey in some way. His first defeat which taught him to never throw in the towel, death of Betty Brant's brother, being unmasked, Ock invading May's home, death of Captain Stacy etc.
Same with the Goblin. They've
earned their legendary villain status.
But let's get back on topic. You got me riled by saying you didn't see what the big deal was w/Venom & I got carried away.
Riled?? But you agreed with me
