Monsters Anonymous

An unwitting test subject of one of Vector’s weird science experiments has found himself slowly being transformed into a cyborg with a hunger for human flesh. After fleeing from Agent Venom, he finds himself confronted by Toxin, who has come to Philadelphia to hunt Venom down.[1]

The proximity to Toxin causes the strange alien organisms encased in the cylinders protruding from the cyborg’s back to go into a frenzy. This in turn causes the ghoulish man lose more of his fleeting humanity. In the brawl, Toxin finds it harder and harder to heal from the injuries sustained by the infected man. However, the man manages to break free from Toxin’s tendrils and escape. Toxin decides to follow his combatant’s scent since he figures the cyborg will lead him to Venom.

The following morning, Flash Thompson checks in with Beast, who points out that Thompson looks like hell. Flash admits that he is, but assures him that the other guy looks worse.[2] Beast notices that Flash has stopped using the prosthetic legs and Flash explains that he had too much history with the wheelchair to give it up and admits that wearing the mechanical legs felt like cheating. Beast understands, since Flash has moved to Philadelphia to get a new start.[3] When Flash explains the man he countered the night before, Beast tells him that he can only provide an explanation for what Vector’s experiments did to him.[4] When the Beast offs his assistance, Flash assures him he can capture the ghoulish cyborg on his own.

However, Flash has some business to attend to before he resumes his search. Later, he arrives at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a local church. Flash goes in there and instead of telling the truth he gives some generic stories about his struggles with addiction. He becomes self-aware of the needle marks from the tranquilizers he uses to control the Venom symbiote and covers up his arms. Still, despite his story, he feels the indifference from the other attendees, still he isn’t a bad feeling and it passes the time until he goes out that evening to use for his hunt.

That night, at Ruff Rick’s Dog Kennel, the evening attendant goes to check why the dogs in their care are acting up. When she enters the kennel area she is horrified by the sight of the cyborg ghoul feasting on the pets. He apologizes for what he is doing, explaining that he can’t stop the hunger. When he chases the woman outside, Agent Venom arrives to stop him from killing again. Easily incapacitating the cyborg he then webs it up so he can bring it to the Beast. However, before he can leave, Toxin arrives to destroy the Venom symbiote.

Recurring Characters

Agent Venom, Toxin, Beast

Continuity Notes

1. For more on Vector’s scientific experiments see Venom (vol. 2) #28-30.

2. Flash states here that neither he and Beast are Avengers. They used to be however. The pair were members of the Secret Avengers with Beast joining the team in Secret Avengers #1 and Venom in issue #23. However, at the time of this story the group had recently disbanded in Secret Avengers #37.

3. Flash was given mechanical legs in Venom (vol. 2) #15, he stopped wearing them almost immediately after however.

4. For more on the strange technology loosed upon Philadelphia by Vector see Venom (vol. 2) #28-30.