Venom Epic Collection: Shadows Of The Past

Howard Mackie got his start at Marvel during the late 1980s as an editor and then a writer. One of his first series as full-time scribe was 1990’s massively popular Ghost Rider, which introduced the alter ego Danny Ketch to the mythos of the Spirit of Vengeance. He also wrote prolifically in the Spider-Man and X-Men titles of the ’90s.

Following stints at AC Comics and Eclipse, Erik Larsen replaced fan-favorite Todd McFarlane on Amazing Spider-Man and quickly became a legend in his own right, chronicling Spidey’s cosmic-powered and powerless phases. His other Marvel credits include Defenders, Fantastic Four, Nova and Wolverine. At DC, he has penciled Doom Patrol, Outsiders, Teen Titans and others. Larsen’s greatest fame may be as creator of Savage Dragon at Image Comics, which he helped found and where he served as publisher for four years.

John Romita Jr. is a modern-day comic-art master, following in his legendary father’s footsteps. Timeless runs on Iron Man, Uncanny X-Men, Amazing Spider-Man and Daredevil established him as his own man artistically, and his work on Wolverine and World War Hulk is among the most explosive comic art of the 21st century. In addition to Eternals with writer Neil Gaiman, JRJR teamed with Mark Millar on the creator-owned Kick-Ass, later developed into a blockbuster feature film starring Nicolas Cage. Spidey fans rejoiced at the artist’s return to Amazing Spider-Man with the “Brand New Day” storylines “New Ways To Die” and “Character Assassination.” He later helped relaunch Avengers with writer Brian Michael Bendis and Captain America with Rick Remender, and contributed to the blockbuster crossover Avengers vs. X-Men. For DC Comics, he drew big-name characters such as Superman, Batman and the Suicide Squad before making a welcome return home to Marvel and Amazing Spider-Man.

Brazilian artist Joe Bennett debuted on Marvel’s Ravage 2099. He then drew Image Comics’ Supreme, and returned to Marvel as the artist of Nova, X-51 and The Crew. Bennett has contributed to Captain America, Amazing Spider-Man and Thor, and worked extensively at DC Comics, including on 52. His work on Immortal Hulk won him new levels of acclaim.