Summary

  • Venom #34 introduces a terrifying new host for the symbiote, creating the most horrifying form of Venom yet.
  • The symbiote merges with the corpse of Lee Price, transforming into a zombie symbiote that defeats a cosmic vampire.
  • The bond between Eddie Brock and Venom is nearly unbreakable, but this latest host brings out a new level of horror in Venom's appearance.

Warning! Contains spoilers for Venom #34!

One of the core parts of Marvel's symbiote lore is that they regularly change hosts, allowing writers to place the Venom symbiote in new and fresh situations by switching up who it is bonded to. Throughout the character's history, Venom has been bonded to several hosts, from Peter Parker to Eddie Brock to Mac Gargan. Changing hosts isn't anything new for the Venom symbiote, but this latest host is perhaps the most terrifying Venom has ever had.

The terrifying new Venom form is first seen in Venom #34 by Al Ewing and Juan Ferreyra. In this issue, the Venom symbiote has been separated from its host for quite a while, with it leaving Dylan Brock, and Eddie Brock no longer being available. This has caused the Venom symbiote to start to die, and with no other options, it is compelled to visit the grave of a previous host, Lee Price.

The Zombiote Shows Off Its Killer Design

The Venom symbiote is lured here by the Captive, a cosmic vampire who feeds on symbiotes. But unexpectedly, Venom manages to merge with the corpse of Lee Price, transforming into a horrifying zombie symbiote that quickly manages to overpower and even defeat the Captive.

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The "Zombiote" Is The Most Terrifying Venom Form Yet

Venom #34 by Al Ewing, Juan Ferreyra, and Clayton Cowles

Zombie Venom Charges The Captive

The Venom symbiote has been with many hosts over the years, some heroes, some villains. While the most popular host has always been Eddie Brock, there have been others, such as Spider-Man, as well as Flash Thompson and Lee Price. Some of these hosts have even ended up dead, such as the last two. Every host that the Venom symbiote has bonded with has changed its appearance and personality in some way. Peter's time with the symbiote is defined by the sleek black Spider-Man costume that has become a fan favorite.

It's no surprise that bonding with essentially a zombified host would result in the most terrifying form of Venom that Marvel has ever put out.

While the Venom symbiote has bonded with non-human hosts before, such as the ridiculous Venomsaurus, it has never bonded with a dead host before. It's no surprise that bonding with essentially a zombified host would result in the most terrifying form of Venom that Marvel has ever put out. This Venom not only has the corpse's face sticking out, but also its long scraggly arms and exposed ribs. While Marvel is no stranger to zombies, this is likely the closest that readers have ever gotten to seeing a zombified Venom, which fits perfectly considering Venom already craves brains as it is.

This Zombie Venom Easily Defeats The Captive

Venom Has Never Looked More Terrifying

Zombiote Murders The Captive

Venom is a character that has the potential for infinite variety. He can play the role of hero or villain and anything in between. He can be a comedic character when bonded to someone no one would expect, like a giant T. rex, or he can be a struggling hero, like when he was bound to Spider-Man. It's one of the things that makes Venom such an enduring character. He's done everything from fighting muggers in the dark alleyways of New York to traveling on spaceships in the far reaches of the galaxy. Writers will always come up with new things for Venom to be, like a horrifying zombie.

Venom #34 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!

Venom #34 (2024)

Venom #34 Cover-1
  • Writer: Al Ewing
  • Artist: Juan Ferreyra
  • Colorist: Juan Ferreyra
  • Letterer: Clayton Cowles
  • Cover Artist: Cafu
Venom in David Baldeon Comic Cover Art
NAME
Venom (Symbiote), Eddie Brock (most prominent host)
Alias
Eddie Brock
Created By
David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane
POWERS
Superhuman strength, speed, agility, and endurance, Ability to cling to surfaces, Shape-shifting abilities (forming weapons, shields), Regeneration and healing factor, Immunity to Spider-Man's spider-sense, Enhanced senses, Able to produce webbing, Bonding with a host to share or amplify powers, Immunity to all Earthly diseases
RELATIONSHIPS
Eddie Brock (primary host and ally), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (initial enemy, later uneasy ally), Anne Weying (former wife of Eddie Brock and occasional host), Cletus Kasady/Carnage (offspring of the Venom symbiote and a deadly enemy)
HISTORY
The Venom symbiote is an alien organism that first bonded with Peter Parker (Spider-Man) during the "Secret Wars" storyline. After Parker rejected the symbiote, it found a new host in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist. The symbiote and Brock bonded over their mutual hatred for Spider-Man, becoming the anti-hero known as Venom. Over time, Venom has evolved from a villain to an anti-hero, often fighting alongside other heroes to protect innocents, though his methods remain brutal.

Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.