Warning! Contains Spoilers For Venom War: Spider-Man #3!
Marvel Comics has offered a revised explanation for why the Venom symbiote took on that name, and it is so much more satisfying than the decades-old explanation that fans of the character have had to contend with for so long. Now, as Peter Parker has shockingly bonded with the symbiote once more, it has offered him an insight into its psyche that has immediately captivated fans.
The preview for Venom War: Spider-Man #3 – written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, with art by Greg Land – features narration by Marvel's most famous symbiote, a monologue in which it makes a startling confession: the Venom symbiote its that it named itself after a poison due to how harmful it is to the people it bonds with.
This is a stark change from the original reason, but it makes a lot of sense with the Venom symbiote's new expanded character.
Marvel's Updated Origin For Venom's Codename Clears Up Years Of Confusion
Venom War: Spider-Man #3 – Written By Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing; Art By Greg Land
Most Spider-Man fans will be familiar with the basics of Venom's origin; both Eddie Brock and the symbiote came to despise the Webslinger, and this gave them more than just a physical symbiosis, but an emotional bond that made them into one of Marvel's most enduring villains – and, eventually, anti-heroes. As compelling as this origin story is, the reason given for their name, "Venom," proved to be less exciting. Now, Marvel has finally offered a substitute reason, and it comes as part of a psychological exploration of the symbiote itself.
The fact that the symbiote's self-hatred would lead it to name itself Venom makes perfect sense; in a way, it proves that it is not just Eddie Brock who has undergone a dramatic redemption arc, but the Venom symbiote itself.
In the original version, the two decided on "Venom" because that was what Eddie was forced to write for the tabloids, the only place that would hire him. However, Marvel's new explanation, from Venom War: Spider-Man #3, is so much more potent. With Venom getting deeper characterization over the years and its own personality, the fact that the symbiote's self-hatred would lead it to name itself Venom makes perfect sense; in a way, it proves that it is not just Eddie Brock who has undergone a dramatic redemption arc, but the Venom symbiote itself.
Venom Reveals That It Feels It Has Been A Poison To Every Host
Venom's Name Came From Its Own Self-Hatred
This explanation brings a whole new level of interiority to the Venom symbiote, in a way quite unlike anything Marvel fans have encountered before. This should make fans of the character especially excited to pick up Venom War: Spider-Man #3. As the Venom War crossover approaches its climax, the fate of the symbiote and its hosts remains up in the air – but given its popularity, Venom certainly will continue to have a strong presence in Marvel Comics, and this issue pushes the character a step forward.
Venom's New "V-Star Symbiote" Is the Character's Best Redesign of All Time
Venom goes hard sci-fi with the V-Star symbiote's angular design. This new version of Venom has an alien perception of time and different powers.
Venom is one of Marvel's most popular characters, even boasting a trilogy of movies to its name. It's no surprise that over the years, the character has been fleshed out, with more nuance to its portrayal, and more depth to its lore. Especially once the Venom symbiote started moving between hosts and having new experiences, it became harder to justify why it was still called Venom. Yet with one simple twist, Marvel manages to build on years of character development and explain a deeper meaning to this iconic name.
Venom War: Spider-Man #3 will be available October 3, 2024 from Marvel Comics!
- 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.
