Venom #13.4

Venom (2011) #13.4, published on 29 February 2012 (some sources record a 1 April release), is the fifth part of the "Circle of Four" event and a key issue near the finale of that weekly crossover story. The issue is written by Rick Remender, with lead art by Lan Medina, inks by Nelson DeCastro and Terry Pallot, colors by Marte Gracia and Antonio Fabela, and covers by Stefano Caselli and Frank Martin. The story picks up from the previous issue: to return from death, the heroes have struck a bargain with Mephisto to be repaid later. The dead Alejandra (Ghost Rider) causes the Spirit of Vengeance to break free and fly to its old partner Johnny Blaze, only to be intercepted by the black-hearted lover Gari Oyle and delivered to Blackheart. Outside Las Vegas, Doctor Strange and Hellstrom struggle to hold the magical barrier preventing hell from spreading into the world; Hellstrom is tempted in his mind by Blackheart and finally gives up resistance, and both are imprisoned. The four revived heroes form a counterattack plan: X-23 is to destroy the centrifuge device driving the hell gate, while Red Hulk, Venom, and the powerless Alejandra go to seize the Spirit of Vengeance. After a fierce battle, Red Hulk unexpectedly bonds with both the symbiote and the Spirit of Vengeance at once, catching Blackheart off guard. The covers of this issue and #13.1–#13.4 can be joined into a single group portrait of the four, making this a highly collectible part of the crossover.