Review by Ian Keogh

Inserting Venom into the X-Men’s world and vice versa is an apparently incompatible idea, which is why it’s not been done before. On the other hand, that’s precisely what makes it interesting, and using the younger and more inexperienced original X-Men from the X-Men Blue series ups the value. When introducing the concept Cullen Bunn sets a nice ethical dilemma for Venom, who’s happy to reject the X-Men’s request for help, but the alien symbiote with which he’s partnered has other ideas on hearing about its fellows being misused on their home planet. Tying into this, the X-Men are heading to space because Cyclops’ father is in danger.

In many ways writers Bunn and Mike Costa conform to expectation. Venom is nasty, the X-Men are out of their depth, and yes, you’re going to see the X-Men possessed by alien symbiotes of the type that created Venom. In other ways they surprise greatly.

Of the three artists involved Edgar Salazar (sample art right) is the star turn by virtue of being the most imaginative. He has a way of making page look interesting in manner the neither Jacapo Camagni (sample art left) or Ario Anindito can match. Camagni veers more toward cartooning, which isn’t the ideal depiction for the savage symbiotes, diminishing their threat, and Anindito’s thick lines are unappealing. Salazar accentuates the grubby surroundings and brings the cast to life.

The consequences apart, Poison-X isn’t a story to stick in the memory. It makes the most of its odd partnership and there are some nice touches ensuring the concept works solidly, but isn’t anything you’ll need to read twice. Regular Venom readers will probably figure out the significance of the title, and the final pages lead into Venomized, where the consequences are reversed. The X-Men return to Earth in Surviving the Experience.