Here are some thoughts from someone that has an OG SCX10, 2 SCX10 IIs, 3 Ascenders, and 4 TF2s (among other things). As between an OG SCX10 kit (if you can still find one) and an Ascender, the Ascender is hands-down the better truck out of the box. Stock Ascender components are more durable and performance is much better than stock OG SCX10. As between an SCX10 II kit and an Ascender, they're both very good. The SCX10 II has more gear reduction in the axles and thus less torque twist, but that's easily tamed in the Ascender in any number of ways. The SCX10 II also has better stock shocks than the Ascender, but shocks are an easy (and inexpensive) upgrade. The Ascender currently has much better kit and parts availability due to Axial's current supply chain issues, but that should even out within a couple of months once Axial gets its production ramped up again. Aftermarket support for both trucks is very good, so at the moment, I'd call it even. The TF2 is a great platform, but it takes some work to get performance to SCX10 II or Ascender levels. If you're after performance more than scale appeal, the Ascender and SCX10 II get the nod.
The HPI Venture looks very interesting, but I've been told by reliable sources that it will only be available as an RTR initially. So if you're looking for a kit and don't want to wait indefinitely, take that one off the list. I don't have any direct experience with the Komodo, so I can't speak with firsthand knowledge about design, performance, quality, etc. But if aftermarket support matters to you, there aren't nearly as many options for the Komodo as there are for the Ascender and SCX10 II.
So there you go, for whatever it's worth, lol. "thumbsup"