The enduring popularity of Venom: Let There Be Carnage will be the second outing for Tom Hardy as the titular character, who enjoys a status as one of Spider-Man’s archenemies in the comics.
His see-saw relationship between being an antagonist and an antihero has led to many questions about Venom’s character from mainstream fans. The symbiote has a long and interesting history stretching back almost four decades, with plenty of answers available for those curious about Venom. Before diving into the film character’s exploits, it’s worth brushing up on the most significant things to know about Venom.
Who Created The Character?
Unlike many other Marvel characters, Stan Lee had no involvement in the character’s conception. The Venom symbiote was actually the creation of a Spider-Man fan that was then adapted by writers to become the villain. Randy Schueller came up with the black Spider-Man outfit and ed Marvel about it.
Mike Zeck was the artist who designed the suit, while Roger Stern devised the idea of costume’s alien origin. Writer Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz devised the alien’s sentient origins and his sonic vulnerability. Writer David Michelinie devised the Venom villain character later on and artist Todd McFarlane designed him.
When Did He Make His First Appearance?
The symbiote first showed in May 1984’s The Amazing Spider-Man #252, in which Spider-Man is shown in possession of a new black suit. December 1984’s Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 explained that Spider-Man got the suit from a planet known as Battleworld where the Beyonder had summoned him. He chose the symbiote when he wanted to replace his tattered traditional suit.
Subsequent stories saw Spider-Man realize the suit was sentient and Reed Richards analyzed it who discovered its malicious nature before Spider-Man disposed of it. The Venom villain character debuted in May 1988’s The Amazing Spider-Man #300, although there were many setups and hidden cameos for him beforehand.
What Is His Backstory?
The backstory of Venom has been retconned a few times (just like every other comic book character) and tends to differentiate between different realities. The most accepted history of the symbiote is that it is part of an alien species created by the evil elder god known as Knull.
The symbiote latched onto a Kree scientist Tel-Kar to leave his homeworld and was later imprisoned along with several other symbiotes. His prison was later transported to Battleworld, where Spider-Man came across it and the symbiote bonded with him to escape to Earth.
Who Are His Archenemies?
Fans badly want to see a match-up between Spider-Man and Venom due to their long-running rivalry. It was first shown in mainstream media as a vital animated series, where Venom was one of his main foes. Venom developed a grudge against Spider-Man for the latter’s rejection of its influence.
Since Venom has been promoted as an antihero, his archenemy has shifted to become the Carnage symbiote. Their rivalry stems from Carnage being Venom’s offspring and the fact that the former feels no remorse, unlike Venom, and is far stronger than its parent.
Who Are The Most Significant Hosts Of The Symbiote?
Eddie Brock will always be the quintessential host of the symbiote and is the character depicted in this role in every show, superhero film, and Venom spinoff adaptation. However, there have been multiple people who have taken on the symbiote. The most popular other than Eddie Brock is Peter Parker, and the symbiote has moved on further.
Mac Gargan, the former Scorpion, was the second Venom, as seen in Marvel Knights Spider-Man #9. A new Venom was featured in The Amazing Spider-Man #654, who bonded with Flash Thompson. Additional hosts are black market dealer Lee Price, Kree scientist Tel-Kar, and the Dark Elf Malekith, who forced the symbiote to do his bidding in the War of the Realms arc.
What Teams Has He Been d With?
The long history of the symbiote has resulted in numerous team-ups that only comic books may know of Venom. Certainly, for an alien parasite, Venom has been part of more teams than expected, although the reasons for him ing have varied based on his host or motivations.
All in all, Venom has been d with or part of teams like the Sinister Six, the Thunderbolts, the Dark Avengers, Secret Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men Blue, Symbiote Imperium, New Warriors, Agents of Cosmos, Savage Avengers, and S.H.I.EL.D.
What Is The Exact Nature Of His Powers?
The powers of the symbiote can be unclear to fans since it acted differently when bonded to Spider-Man compared to Eddie Brock. As it is, shapeshifting is its main forte, with Venom altering his nature to essentially take on the form of whatever it wants.
Due to its powers of feeding off its host, Venom developed Spider-Man’s powers and can shoot his own webs and can’t be detected through the spider-sense. Venom also reads the thoughts and feelings of his host and retains them afterward as well.
Which Are Notable Venom Variants?
His dark nature has made fans wonder if Venom is more suited to the DC Universe, but the symbiote has had plenty of variants in the Marvel series itself. There have been dozens of versions seen fleetingly, with a few considered to be significant.
The future Venoms of 2099 have Kron Stone and Alea Bell as its host. The Ultimate Earth-1610 universe version is genetically designed that was created on Earth. In Dark Reign: Fantastic Four, the particular reality’s Venom had bonded with Skrulls and multiplied.
What Are His Known Weaknesses?
A character’s best bet when battling Venom is to use incendiary and sonic weapons. Exposure to sonic waves leaves the Venom symbiote in great pain, and it is also highly vulnerable to fire. These attacks need to be dealt out in frequent bursts or the symbiote can heal itself.
The Ultimate Marvel Venom is different in that it isn’t as susceptible to fire and sonic waves but is weaker toward electricity, although there needs to be a sufficient barrage of high-voltage electric-based attacks to put the symbiote down for good.
What Are The Character's Most Significant Appearances In Media?
As one of Spider-Man’s most enduring villains, Venom has been seen across various types of media. One of the earliest incarnations to reach big-time popularity was the Venom in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, where he eventually turned into an antihero.
Venom’s most significant film version was in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, but the incarnation was negatively received, and 2018’s Venom is generally seen as a superior live-action version. In video games, Venom had a significant role in 2000’s Spider-Man as a villain and an ally, and he will be the main antagonist in Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2.
