Issue(s): Amazing Spider-Man annual #25 (Venom story only)
Cover Date: 1991
Title: "The truckstop of doom!"
Credits:
David Michelinie - Writer
Paris Cullins - Penciler
Bud LaRosa - Inker
Danny Fingeroth - Editor

Review/plot:
This back-up from a 1991 annual is a noteworthy story not because of the specifics, but because it is the first story to feature Venom as a headlining character and as, effectively, a good guy. It is designed to take place in the past, so we are meant to see it less as a shift towards redeeming the character and more as a sign that Venom has had this side to him all along. Indeed Venom has always had an interest in protecting the "innocents", but in practice he's been shown to be fairly hypocritical about that.

Venom has been hitchhiking with a family on his way to New York. They stop to eat at a truck stop which is attacked by armed robbers.

Venom convinces the gunmen to fight him out in the parking lot. At first it seems like he's going to fight them without fully revealing that he's Venom...

..but that is quickly abandoned.

Venom may be the hero of this story, but he is a killer.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This story takes place after Venom escapes from the Vault in Amazing Spider-Man #315 but before he arrives in New York to fight Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #316.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A