Who is the anti-hero Venom in the Marvel universe?

Marvel
Venom

Venom, one of the most captivating and ambiguous characters in the Marvel universe, embodies the ultimate anti-hero, shifting between supervillain and brutal protector. Originating in the 1980s in The Amazing Spider-Man, Venom is an alien symbiote that bonds with human hosts to reveal their darkest traits.

This duality is what makes Venom unique in the comic world, where he combines immense power with a highly personal sense of justice. Whether you're a fan of comics or cinematic adaptations, this article dives into Venom’s story, from his origins, through his powers, to his complex links with Spider-Man.

What is Venom’s story?

The story of Venom begins in Secret Wars (1984), where the symbiote is discovered by Spider-Man. Thinking he’s found a simple suit that enhances his powers, Peter Parker realizes, too late, that the symbiote has a negative influence on him.

Rejected, the symbiote finds in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist, an ideal host to satisfy its thirst for revenge against Spider-Man. This union between Eddie and the symbiote gives birth to Venom, a formidable adversary with a fierce hatred for Peter Parker.

Over the years, Venom evolves from a supervillain to an anti-hero, especially in iconic story arcs such as:

• Lethal Protector: Venom becomes the brutal protector of San Francisco, not hesitating to use violence to defend the innocent.
• King in Black: This arc explores the cosmic origins of symbiotes and Venom’s battle against interstellar threats.

Sony’s movies, with Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, reinterpret this complexity and show a Venom in evolution, oscillating between hatred and justice.
With the introduction of the multiverse in the MCU, the chances of a confrontation with Spider-Man become increasingly likely, promising exciting new dynamics.

What are Venom’s powers?

The Venom symbiote possesses fascinating and unique powers that set him apart from other Marvel characters:

• Superhuman strength and agility surpassing those of Spider-Man
• Rapid regeneration of wounds, providing increased resilience
• Shape-shifting: Venom can create tentacles and weapons directly from his own body, making him extremely versatile in combat
• Camouflage: Thanks to his previous connection with Spider-Man, Venom can avoid being detected by the famous “spider-sense”

In the film adaptations, Tom Hardy portrays Eddie Brock, who learns to exploit these powers while struggling to maintain control against the symbiote’s influence.

With the development of the multiverse, Venom could potentially acquire additional abilities, further expanding his powers.
However, Venom remains vulnerable to two major elements: fire and high-frequency sounds.

These weaknesses, often exploited in comics and films, place Venom in dangerous situations despite his raw power.

What is Venom’s goal?

Venom’s motivations vary depending on his hosts but are always tinged with revenge, justice, and moral ambiguity. Initially, Venom seeks revenge on Spider-Man for rejecting him. This hatred is also shared by Eddie Brock, whose career was ruined because of Peter Parker.

Over time, Venom evolves into a Lethal Protector. He acts as an anti-hero, protecting the innocent with often brutal methods, contrasting with the values of traditional heroes.
In the movies, this duality is even more emphasized: Eddie and the symbiote develop a tumultuous relationship, balancing a sense of justice with violent instincts.

With the introduction of the multiverse in the MCU, Venom could discover new motivations or even come into conflict with other versions of himself or other heroes.
This development would allow a deeper exploration of Venom’s nuances, a character who never fits neatly into the simple label of “villain.”

Is Venom a villain?

Venom defies classic definitions of villain. Unlike traditional antagonists, Venom acts for reasons that go beyond mere malice. As a symbiote, Venom primarily seeks a compatible host.

Being rejected by Spider-Man fuels his personal hatred, but his union with Eddie Brock adds a layer of complexity.

• Venom becomes a relentless avenger toward those he deems his enemies
• He is capable of heroic acts, particularly by joining forces with Spider-Man against larger threats like Carnage
• His behavior changes depending on circumstances, demonstrating unique adaptability among Marvel characters

In the movies, this duality is portrayed by Tom Hardy, who presents a version of Venom marked by dark humor, ethical dilemmas, and a fluctuating morality. Thanks to the multiverse, Venom could now encounter other versions of himself, introducing new dimensions to his moral status.

What is the link between Spider-Man and Venom?

The relationship between Spider-Man and Venom is at the heart of Venom’s story. Their connection dates back to Secret Wars, when Peter Parker finds the symbiote, thinking it’s a suit that enhances his powers. After realizing the symbiote’s harmful nature, he rejects it, an act that deeply affects Venom and drives him to seek revenge.

Over the years, their relationship evolves, alternating between rivalry and forced cooperation. The comics show several alliances between Venom and Spider-Man, particularly when they face common enemies like Carnage.

Sony, which held the film rights, chose to introduce Venom independently of Spider-Man. However, clues in the MCU suggest a possible meeting between the two characters, a dynamic that could bring new insight into their relationship.

Who is Venom’s worst enemy?

Among Venom’s many enemies, Carnage is undoubtedly the most dangerous and unpredictable. This symbiote, bonded with serial killer Cletus Kasady, embodies chaos and pure violence. Unlike Venom, who sometimes follows an ambiguous moral code, Carnage is a true psychopath, making their confrontations intense and bloody.

• Maximum Carnage: This iconic arc features the alliance between Venom and Spider-Man to stop Carnage
• Venom: Let There Be Carnage: In this movie, Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock, forced to team up with the symbiote to face this threat

The multiverse could introduce new enemies for Venom, particularly by exploring organizations that aim to exploit the symbiote for malicious purposes. This would offer Venom a varied gallery of antagonists, extending beyond simple symbiotes.

Venom in the MCU movies

The film adaptations of Venom, featuring Tom Hardy, have made a strong impact on the Marvel universe, especially due to Hardy’s portrayal, which captures the character’s duality. While Sony initially produced films independent of the MCU, the introduction of the multiverse has opened new perspectives.

The movies Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage explore the tumultuous relationship between Eddie Brock and the symbiote while deepening their anti-hero side. Hints of future integration with the MCU and characters like Spider-Man promise exciting story arcs. By involving the multiverse, Marvel offers a unique opportunity to revisit Venom from a new angle, with the potential for unprecedented interactions.

In terms of Venom’s future, he has evolved from a feared supervillain to a complex anti-hero. With numerous confrontations, a rich history, and sometimes unexpected alliances, he has become a fascinating character.

As the multiverse provides a wealth of new possibilities, Venom could become a central pillar in the Marvel universe, blending brutality and justice into ever more captivating stories.

We hope to see him soon alongside our iconic superheroes! Wouldn’t you love to see a Deadpool and Venom duo?

The new movie Venom: The Last Dance: What to know before its release

The third installment of the Venom saga, titled Venom: The Last Dance, will be released on October 30, 2024 and will mark the end of the trilogy. In this film, Eddie and the symbiote are on the run, hunted by human and extraterrestrial forces. This time, the duo faces decisive choices, especially with the introduction of key characters like Rex Strickland (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Knull, the king of the symbiotes.

• Knull: Inspired by recent comic stories, this character represents a cosmic threat
• The multiverse could play a crucial role in this final installment, hinting at possible confrontations with other characters, such as Spider-Man

Venom: The Last Dance promises an intense conclusion, blending action and drama to conclude Eddie Brock and Venom’s story while opening doors for future plotlines in the Marvel universe.