Author: Trafficblast

If you’re looking to read the greatest stories featuring Spider-Man nemesis Venom that are available on ComiXology Unlimited, then you’re in the right place. The digital comics subscription service offers over 25,000 comics for a monthly fee (and as of this writing, you get the first 60 days free when you sign up for ComiXology Unlimited), so we’ve combed through the offerings to find the very best Venom comics and graphic novels for you to sink your eyeballs into.

Venom is a tricky character to get right, which is why there are not as many top tier Venom stories as there are for characters like Batman. (Speaking of Batman, here are the best comics on ComiXology Unlimited featuring the Dark Knight.) But when a creative team truly cracks what makes the duality of the man/symbiote relationship so fascinating, and pits them against villains that provide both a physical and philosophical challenge, all while maintaining the character’s anti-hero vibe, the result is always something unforgettable… and a little disturbing, in just the right way.

These are those stories.

Spider-Man: Birth of Venom

By various artists and writers

This is the one to read for the classic origin story of the symbiote, Spider-Man in his black costume, and the first appearance of Venom proper. The story began in the Secret Wars crossover event, where Spider-Man found a strange new black costume, and spread across several different Spidey titles, eventually leading to the creation of what would become a toothy, slobbering Marvel Comics icon. The various plot threads are all collected here to tell one singular story. Take yourself back to a time when nobody knew what the black costume would become and enjoy watching the characters explore its mysteries and dangers for the first time.

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 6: Venom

By Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley

Venom has been around so long that we’ve seen many takes on his origin. The one in Ultimate Spider-Man is especially interesting because it throws out the whole alien host aspect in favor of creating a more personal tale between Peter Parker and Eddie Brock. In this modern reboot known as the Ultimate Marvel Universe, the symbiote was a cure for cancer created by Peter and Eddie’s fathers. As they discover the shared work of their parents, the story shows the two young men form a bond, only for the experimental symbiote to create a rift between them when it becomes a waking nightmare. It’s an emotionally rich tale that mines the symbiote for all the horror and drama it’s worth.

Marvel Knights Spider-Man Vol. 2: Venomous

By Mark Millar, Frank Cho and Terry Dodson

While this is the middle chapter in a three-part Marvel Knights Spider-Man arc, it’s something any dedicated Venom reader will want to pick up. (Although, Mark Millar’s full Marvel Knights Spider-Man story is available on ComiXology Unlimited if you want to read it.) This story is notable for doing something a little different with the symbiote, including starting the trend of the symbiote switching hosts to someone other than Eddie Brock, so if you feel like you already know the Venom basics and want to be kept on your toes, this one’s for you.

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Venom By Rick Remender

By Rick Remender and various artists

Speaking of swapping hosts, Rick Remender’s saga starring Flash Thompson in the symbiote is hands down the best Venom story ever told. ComiXology Unlimited offers the complete run spread across two volumes for your reading pleasure, and they’re some of the hardest hitting comics around. The US government is in control of the symbiote and they offer disabled veteran (and old pal of Peter Parker) Flash Thompson the chance to get back in action by bonding with it to become Agent Venom. It may sound like a cheesy ‘90s gimmick, and in a way it kind of is, but watching Flash battle his personal demons while dealing with an actual space-demon that encourages his worst behavior makes for one hell of a comic book.

Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 1 and 2

By Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman

While Remender’s Venom is more grounded with its espionage angle, Donny Cates goes in the opposite direction. His Venom run embraces the cosmic aspect of the character to weave a new mythology for the symbiote that is grand in scale… and actually pretty confusing if you think about it too much. But the story moves from one bonkers beat to another so fast that it’s best to enjoy it like you would a wild roller coaster ride.

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To get even more out of your ComiXology Unlimited account, check out these longer comics perfect for binging:

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Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

A little over a month ago, when folks were in the first stages of self-isolating, Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn took to Twitter to share 10 of his favorite lesser-known films, some cult gems, for people to watch while in quarantine – from The Wanderers to Bong Joon-ho’s Mother to Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

Now Gunn is back with even more movie recommendations. This time though, the genre is “Action” and the list is…substantially longer.

Titled “A+ Action Movies to Watch in Quarantine,” Gunn lists off 54 cage-rattlers, from ’80s classics like Die Hard and Robocop to Tom Cruise’s Edge of Tomorrow and Mission Impossible: Fallout to South Korea’s Oldboy and Lady Vengeance.

Here’s the first part of Gunn’s Twitter thread, followed by the full list below…

A+ Action Movies to Watch in Quarantine (a thread):
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
The Matrix (1999)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Die Hard (1988)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
JSA: Joint Security Area (2000)
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
Lady Vengeance (2005)
(cont’d)

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 17, 2020

• Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
• The Matrix (1999)
• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
• Die Hard (1988)
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
• JSA: Joint Security Area (2000)
• Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
• Lady Vengeance (2005)
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
• Bullitt (1968)
• North by Northwest (1959)
• The Yellow Sea (2010)
• The Raid: Redemption (2012)
• Hero (2002)
• Night Watch (2004)
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
• Taken (2008)
• The Heroic Trio (1993)
• The French Connection (1971)
• Robocop (1987)
• The Killer (1989)
• The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
• The Legend (Fong Sai Yuk) (1993)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
• Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
• The Villainess (2017)
• Revenge (2018)
• Crank (2006)
• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
• Escape from New York (1981)
• Battle Royale (2000)
• Full Contact (1992)
• Oldboy (2005)
• Thunderball (1965)
• La Femme Nikita (1990)
• Leon: The Professional (1994)
• Magnum Force (1973)
• Speed (1994)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
• ’71 (2014)
• Payback (theatrical cut) (1999)
• Equilibrium (2002)
• John Wick (2014)
• Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008)
• Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008)
• Where Eagles Dare (1968)
• Ms. 45 (1981)
• Green Snake (1993)
• Captain Phillips (2013)
• Seven Samurai (1954)
• Rolling Thunder (1977)
• The Wild Bunch (1969)
• V for Vendetta (2006)
• Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

Have you seen all of these films? Of the ones you have seen, which do you recommend? Let us know below!

In other action flick-related news, San Diego Comic-Con 2020 has officially been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is the first time in the con’s 50-year history that SDCC has been canceled. The event is slated to return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25, 2021.

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Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Square Enix continues to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Nier series, and its latest video gives us our first look at gameplay for the mobile Nier: Reincarnation. In keeping with Yoko Taro’s original vision, the first Nier mobile game looks to retain all of its depressive and sullen tone.

The short gameplay teaser features only basic movement, with a young woman moving through a series of ruins with a companion behind her. This companion is wearing a sheet like a ghost Halloween costume, but it’s pretty clearly a pod sidekick like we saw in Nier: Automata.

The camera angle takes several cinematic turns as the trailer continues, and a soft voice begins singing. The atmospheric vocals evoke Nier series composer Keiiche Okabe’s best work, and as the series’ fans know, its music is key to delivering emotional moments in the story.

We know very little about the story of Nier: Reincarnation, though the name implies it could perhaps feature a character from a previous game. It’s being developed by Applibot rather than Platinum Games and published by Square Enix for iOS and Android devices, and is only one of the Nier games currently in production.

An upgraded version of the first game called Nier Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 is also in the works for Xbox One, PS4, and PC, and it will be the first time the Japanese version of the game is available in North America. We don’t know about the next full sequel in the series, but Nier: Automata alone has sold more than 4.5 million copies to date.

You might have guessed that “The Belly of the Beast,” the title of Final Fantasy Remake‘s Chapter 16, refers to taking the fight to Shinra. As you head to Midgar’s Sector 0, you’ll face some of the toughest challenges you’ve seen so far in the game. There are also quite a few diversions and a few secrets to find. We’ve got everything you need in our walkthrough below, from an outline of everything you can find, to strategies for defeating whatever Shinra throws at you.

Check out the rest of our Final Fantasy 7 Remake guides so you don’t miss a single secret or collectible. You can also read our FF7 Remake review.

Chapter 16 Walkthrough: The Belly Of The Beast

Head into the Shinra building. You’ll first meet resistance in the parking garage. Most of the fights won’t be too tough, but as you press forward, you’ll eventually face three Elite Riot Troopers, three Guard Dogs, and two 3-C SOLDIERS all at the same time. It’s a tough battle; quickly try to use Fire spells on the Riot Troopers to knock some or all of them out fast. Switch Cloud to Punisher and focus on the Guard Dogs, using your counter to knock them back; you’ll want to do the same with the SOLDIERS. Hit the dogs with Ice spells to do high damage and try to get rid of them as quickly as you can, because they’re highly mobile and very irritating. With everything else destroyed, you should be free to fight the SOLDIERS slowly and deliberately with magic, blocks, and counter-attacks.

Before heading out of the garage, check the west corner for a chest that contains two mega-potions. When you reach the big lobby, check the southwest corner for the room for another chest with a Moogle Medal inside.

After you switch to Tifa, check the east side of the room, in a narrow corridor, to find a chest with 1,000 gil inside. To get back up to the lights, climb up on the hood of one of the cars and use the black stone blocks as stepping stones. When you get to the ladder with the red toolbox beside it, look for a prompt that will let you travel hand-over-hand to the west to reach a purple chest. It contains the Purple Pain weapon for Tifa.

Once Tifa gets the keycard, head back upstairs and to the east to open the Exhibition Hall. There’s a chest against the north wall that contains an Iron Maiden armor.

You now have the option of either taking the elevator in the north end of the room, or the stairs at the west end. The stairs take much longer, but they’re safer; with the elevator, you’ll fight minor battles at the 10th and 20th floors. Both options will give you slightly different story moments with the characters, though, and are worth checking out.

Make your way up through the next few floors until you get to Floor 62. Run around the big round walkway in Corporate Archives to find a chest with 3,000 gil inside. Talk to Hart before you leave; give him the 10,000 gil he requests and you’ll get the EKG Cannon weapon for Barret in exchange. Then head up to the 63rd Floor.

On the 63rd Floor, you can visit the Item Shop to buy new armors. Check the far eastern edge of the area up the rounded staircase to find a jukebox containing the Scarlet’s Theme Music Disc–which should be your last one, unlocking the “Disc Jockey” Trophy. Head to the Combat Simulator when you’re ready to advance–you’ll have to fight two Cutters together, so bring Thunder Materia and get ready to throw down with some spells.

Once you clear the Combat Simulator, Chadley will show up and you can complete more Battle Intel submissions with him, or purchase materia. You can also access the Combat Simulator again and battle through additional rounds to earn new rewards. When you’re done then take the escalators to the 64th Floor.

Intel-gathering on the 64th Floor will take you into the air vents above the conference rooms. The path isn’t very complex–you’ll want the first left, ignoring the right path, which is a dead-end. At the next fork, turn left to find an HP Up Materia. Double-back and take the right path to reach your objective.

As you follow Hojo, you’ll next come to a break room with a vending machine and bench. The two chests here contain two antidotes and two celerises. As you go through the room with all the specimen tubes, check the south side for a chest with a remedy inside.

Boss Fight: Specimen HO512

Specimen HO512 is somewhat similar to the Failed Experiment boss you fought in the Shinra Test Site, largely relying on smaller minion enemies to mess with you while it closes in to deal big damage. The boss especially likes a move called Rake, with which it closes the gap on one of your characters by dashing across the room, then follows up with big melee strikes. It’s somewhere between very difficult and impossible to dodge the attack, so guard against the attack whenever possible and use Punisher mode to strike back when it hits you.

As you fight the boss, it’ll spew out little HO512 monsters to harass and irritate you. Barret’s Maximum Fury is good for thinning them out, as is Triple Strike, but make sure you keep on top of eliminating them. Meanwhile, avoid the Noxious Expulsion attack, which can poison you, by keeping your distance from the boss when you’re not actively going after it. If the boss snatches one of your team, hit it with some big attacks to make it let go before it slams your character to the ground.

Your primary focus should be the big Left Claw target. Crippling it will open the boss up to a lot of damage. Stick with primarily physical attacks; HO512 doesn’t have any magical weaknesses, so while you can use spells if you like there’s no specific benefit to doing so unless you need to keep your distance.

After you do some damage, HO512 will suck up mako from a nearby tank, energizing it and producing a new, more dangerous batch of minion enemies. You still want to mostly want to prioritize eliminating the little guys first, as their Spinner attack can get really irritating when you’re trying to deal with the boss. Try to stay clear of the boss’s new Mako Expulsion attack by giving it a wide berth; after HO512 uses it, you should have a chance to close the gap and do some damage. Continue to focus on the Left Claw, which HO512 will regrow periodically after it sucks up mako.

If you see the boss go for the mako tank in the middle of the battle, drop what you’re doing and go after it. Hit it with your strongest attacks, including Punisher mode, to interrupt it; that’ll leave it pressured so you can drive up its stagger meter and do a lot of damage. The same is true if you happen to lop off the Left Claw.

HO512 will enter a third phase before the end, producing even more dangerous minions–now they’ll explode and try to take you with them. If you see them readying a move called Apoptosis, steer clear. The same is true of the boss’s improved Mako Expulsion attack, which he’ll now fire in a stream like a hose in one direction, but with a lot more damage.

Though the boss has some big area attacks, it mostly will come after you at fairly close range, so do your best to stay away from it and keep your team healthy. Attack it when it’s vulnerable as it goes for the mako tanks and use counter-attacks to lessen the effectiveness of its strikes. Your team’s Focused ability attacks will help push up its stagger meter, but you should be able to take it down so long as you hit it when it’s vulnerable and keep from getting surrounded.

Before you leave via the elevator, heal up at the nearby bench. The next room will have a fight with Shinra security forces you’ve seen before, followed by a new unit called the Armored Shock Trooper. These guys are resistant to physical attacks, but weak to Thunder magic. Stay back when you see them activate their Eject attacks–it means the armor is going to explode, leaving behind an Enhanced Shock Trooper. These agile troopers are a pain to fight, so hit them with Fire to deal with them quickly. Punisher counters work well too, but hang well back when they use their Twister attack, which can juggle your characters in the air for big damage.

When you’re done, chase down Hojo to end the chapter.