Description

Spider-Man Special Edition #1 (The Trial of Venom)         One-Shot Comic
Available only through mail order with a donation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Jim Craig
Inkers: Dan Day & David Day
Colorist: Tom Smith
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Editors: Glenn Herdling & Tom DeFalco
Silver Foil Embossed Cover by: Jim Craig & Dan Day

Venom, or the Venom Symbiote, is a character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Spider-Man. Venom made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988). Venom was originally conceived as a supervillain but has since become more of an antihero. Venom is a Symbiote, a sentient alien, with a gooey, almost liquid-like form. As with real-world symbiotes, it requires a host, usually human, to bond with for its survival. After bonding, the Symbiote endows its enhanced powers upon the host. When the Venom Symbiote bonds with a human, that new dual-life form refers to itself as “Venom”. The Venom Symbiote’s first known host was Spider-Man, who eventually separated himself from the creature when he discovered its true nature. The Symbiote went on to merge with other hosts, most notably Eddie Brock, its second and most infamous host, with whom it first became Venom and one of Spider-Man’s archenemies. According to S.H.I.E.L.D., it is considered one of the greatest threats to humanity, alongside Magneto, Doctor Doom, and Red Skull.

Venom is widely considered one of the Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time!

Now, Marvel Comics Presents, The Trial of Venom! It’s trial day, and Venom is called to the stand! When the symbiotic psycho hijacks a courtroom, it’s up to Spider-Man and Daredevil to stop him! But can they do it before Venom declares everyone guilty? This comic also includes Poster {never used} (see 11th scan to see the poster included – stock photo from the web provided for informational purposes only. Actual poster is unused.) It was originally available as a mail-a-way with a minimum $5 donation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) this one-shot mail order offered a premium comic that was never sold in retail stores.

Story/Spoilers
In “Trial of Venom”, Brent Nagel of the Justice Department is being shown around the Vault prison by Ms. Brewster, the acting project head, following the recent break-out attempt by prisoners. While prisoners like the Grey Gargoyle have been punished for the attempt, other prisoners, such as Moonstone, were rewarded for not participating in the break-out. Suddenly, they hear screams coming from Eddie Brock’s cell and rush to investigate. There they see Brock cowering in the corner. Apparently, the alien symbiote that he lived with had suddenly died. Frightened by this sudden death, Eddie demands that the monster is taken away from him. After summoning the Guardsmen, they scan Brock’s cell and as far as they can determine, the Venom symbiote is dead. Later, in Manhattan, Daredevil brings the news to Spider-Man as he will be defending Eddie Brock in court as his alter-ego attorney, Matt Murdock. Spider-Man can’t believe that Murdock is defending one of his greatest foes. However, Daredevil explains that there were issues with Eddie’s original trial, and he is being retried. He was also asked to represent Brock because of his pro-bono work with other super-villains, such as the Gladiator. Unable to lie to get out of the job, Daredevil had to take it, but he also accepted it because he believes that Brock deserves a fair trial. As the pair take down some muggers, Daredevil also reveals that he intends Spider-Man to be his material witness. At first, Spider-Man refuses to do this, but when Daredevil questions his sense of responsibility, the wall-crawler relents. Soon, Matt Murdock brings Spider-Man to the Vault, where his assistance in the trial is welcomed. They explain that Brock has been contained and monitored since the apparent death of his symbiote. Murdock reminds them that they are to turn off the monitoring devices when he is meeting with his client in order to protect his right to attorney/patient confidentiality. Soon, Murdock meets with Eddie Brock who explains that the symbiote was depressed and missed its former host, Spider-Man and committed suicide. Listening to this statement, Murdock listens in closely with his enhanced senses to determine if he is telling the truth. After the meeting, Spider-Man asks Matt what Brock had said. Murdock explains that he can’t tell him anything except that he doesn’t feel that Eddie is lying. Soon the trial is underway, and Spider-Man is sworn in as a witness. When his identity is questioned, they point out that Spider-Man proved his identity by clinging to a wall and lifting up an armored car, which is enough to satisfy the court. Spider-Man is asked about his relationship with Venom. He explains that Eddie Brock blamed him for him losing his career when he misidentified the serial killer known as Sin-Eater. However, while under cross-examination from Matt Murdock, Spider-Man is unable to prove that Eddie Brock attempted to kill the wall-crawler until he bonded with the alien symbiote. In fact, when asked what Eddie Brock was planning to do prior to meeting the symbiote, Spider-Man reveals to the court that Brock was planning to commit suicide. In the middle of the trial, Eddie Brock speaks up, against Murdock’s advice and asks Spider-Man if he could ever forgive him. This surprising statement strikes Spider-Man speechless. Later, the wall-crawler waits outside of Eddie Brock’s cell while they wait for a verdict. Brock promises Spider-Man that if he is freed from captivity, he will leave New York and never bother the web-slinger again. Eventually, the jury is ready to give their decision and they are brought back to the court room. On the way, Spider-Man suggests to Ms. Brewster to get more security because he has a bad feeling the jury is not going to rule favorably for himself. Sure enough, the jury finds Eddie Brock not guilty by reason of insanity. As Brock is escorted out of the Vault facility, Spider-Man still doesn’t buy that Brock isn’t a threat and webs up his feet. He tells Murdock to trust him for a moment, and he begins insulting Eddie Brock. The insults get too much, and Brock loses his temper. Opening his mouth, the symbiote emerges from inside Eddie, having faked its death as part of a ruse to get out of prison. As the creature rebounds with Eddie, Venom explains that the creature was able to control his heart rate and respiration to trick everyone into thinking he was telling the truth. Venom decides that Spider-Man needs to be put on trial for ruining his life and attempts to strangle the hero with the symbiotes tendrils and taking out the Guardsmen. In the confusion, Matt Murdock manages to slip away and change into Daredevil. The Man Without Fear saves Spider-Man but is easily knocked aside by Venom. Spider-Man ambushes Venom from behind, knocking the pair over a cliff. From there, Spider-Man lures Venom into a nearby cave where he remains on the defenses. He then positions Venom into a specially prepared cell. As it turns out the “cave” was merely a hologram set up for him by Ms. Brewster to contain Venom should he release have been on false pretenses. Later, back in New York, Daredevil meets up with Spider-Man again. He tells the wall-crawler that his alter-ego was fired by Brock for representation. Still, Daredevil still believes that Eddie Brock wasn’t capable of murder until he bonded with the symbiote. Spider-Man can’t believe that he should feel sympathetic for Eddie Brock and wishes for the good old days when fighting super-villains was simple black and white. Daredevil tells Spider-Man that it was never that simple, and he would understand that if the wall-crawler saw things through his eyes.

Comic is bagged & double boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printing
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publication Date: November 1992
Format: FC, 32 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.65″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: One-Shot Comic is in Fine + condition.  Nice!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any Venom and/or Spider-Man collector / enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Highly Recommended.

Please read return policy.