How do you like your Venom? (Nods to Nosgoth Phantom)

[Sean Whitmore]

The origins of the Venom symbiote have changed a lot over the years. When it first appeared, it wasn't malevolent. It didn't want to eat Peter. It just wanted to bond with him, because that's what it does. That's where the term "symbiote" came from. When it was spurned, it attacked Peter like a pyscho ex-girlfriend...but in the end, it sacrificed its own life to save Peter's. (Though in true comic book form, it got better) And although it initially bonded with Eddie because of their shared hatred, it grew to love him as much as it did Peter. It didn't go around eating brains. It didn't wreak havoc. Later stories (of admittedly lacking quality) showed that the symbiote was actually unique among its race for not wanting to kill.

But when you ask someone who's a relatively new reader, they seem to remember that the symbiote made Peter stronger, made him angrier, and overall had a negative effect. That it's, in effect, a vampiric organism; a parasite. Many writers feel that way too. Both Paul Jenkins and Mark Millar have written it as sadistic and evil, with Eddie being the less violent of the two. And since that's the way it's going to be portrayed in the movie, that's how countless others will remember it too.

I don't know why it happened. Maybe newer writers saw the cartoon and assumed that's how it happened. Maybe they just liked it better that way.

So my question is this...do YOU like it better that way? Or is that just how you always assumed it was?

There are pros and cons to both choices. The symbiote's entire history is very convoluted, the exact kind of "nerd puzzle" that drives people away from long-running books. On the other hand, just saying it's an evil alien that wants to kill Spider-Man "just because" is soooo boring.

I personally prefer the old "jilted lover" angle, but I simply can't deny the simplicity of the new approach. But is simple always better?

Your thoughts! I want them.


SEAN

[MaxofSteel]

I think the parasitic aspect of the symbiote defeats the purpose of calling it a "symbiote" in the first place.

Granted, the original Venom overall doesn't sound as menacing as the more modernized version but still. There's an "it's evil but it only wants to be loved" aspect to it that makes classic Venom a more intriguing character imo.

[Sean Whitmore]

Granted, the original Venom overall doesn't sound as menacing as the more modernized version but still. There's an "it's evil but it only wants to be loved" aspect to it that makes classic Venom a more intriguing character imo.

That's a good point. You could almost/kinda feel bad for the symbiote before. Someone compared it to the Phantom of the Opera in another thread, which I think is a neat comparison.


SEAN

[Superboy Prime]

I would probably have to go with the original interpretation of the symbiote. Which seems to me a bit more interesting and endurable than what Marvel has presented the symbiote story in recent years. I liked the fact that the symbiote found a "soulmate" of sorts with Eddie Brock despite it's rejection from Parker. And that the symbiote was not exactly as evil as it was later presented to be by later writers. Now the symbiote is something of a parasite/leech with often sadistic tendencies and for me, that just isnt quite as interesting.

[Lord_Archive]

I think the Venom symbiote would be better if it were attached to either Frank Castle or Luke Cage.

[G. Wayne]

First and foremost, I like the way Mark Bagely draws Venom. That aside.

I like "classic" Venom. The symbiote wanted to bond with Peter, and he rejected it. As a result, the symbiote developed a "insert relevant term" complex towards Parker/Spider-Man. At the same time, Eddie Brock thinks Spider-Man is to blame for ruining various aspects of his life. Soon, the symbiote finds a kindred soul in Brock, the two bond, and viola, hijinks ensue.

Brock was a perfect match for the suit, and the initial core of the character, that being someone who hated Spider-Man because
A) Brock felt Spider-Man ruined his life
B) The symbiote had a thing against Peter because he rejected it.

It stands to reason, imo, that Brock would "mellow" against Pete eventually and go his own way. How long can you hold a grudge? The symbiote found a soulmate and Brock had a new lease on life. I didn't read most of the mini's, so I didn't know about the Venom symbiote being unique for not wanting to kill. All I can remember really was that for the longest time half of Venom's dialogue involved the words "eat" and "brains."

Getting rid of Brock and his history with Spide-Man hurt the character. Focusing on the symbiote and jumping it around from schmuck to schmuck hurts it even more. Now the symbiote really wanted Parker all along due to some biological silliness with his powers? Blah. Now Mac Gargan has the suit. Double Blah. I'll give the ALL NEW, ALL DEADLY T-bolts a shot to see where it goes, but it's the guy-that-used-to-be-the-Scorpion-wait-wasn't he-insane-but-now-he-has-the-Venom-suit, not Venom.

[Keehar]

Venom has sucked since the early 90's.

Most overrated villain ever.

[Frodo-X]

I said new, only because if it wasn't aiming to hurt Peter or making him more violent, why would he not want it? Whereas in the new cartoon-based version, he had to get rid of it for fear of losing himself.

[Sanagi]

The image of a dark slimey thing that envelops you and messes with your head is so much more vivid that it's caught on more strongly. I do think that the symbiote is more interesting if it's more misunderstood than evil, though.

I think the parasitic aspect of the symbiote defeats the purpose of calling it a "symbiote" in the first place.
Parasitism is a kind of symbiosis. There's mutualism(both creatures benefit), commensalism(one creature benefits, the other isn't affected), and parasitism(one creature benefits, the other suffers). The Venom symbiote enhances the capabilities of its host in many ways, while causing personality changes that may be unwanted, so it's really mutualism, albeit with a drawback.

[Astaroth]

"Classic" Venom is one of my favourite characters in the Marvel universe. I'm not very keen on what they've done with him in the last few years. I'd much rather it be the Eddie Brock version in Thunderbolts than Matt Gargan.

[Venom]

I really wish someone would retcon "The Hunger" storyline. It was cool the close relationship Eddie had with the Symbiote and they ruined it by making the thing into a vampire cancer-eater and not liking Brock anymore. And I'm most certainly not going to accept him having cancer before the Symbiote found him. For the love of God! Someone retcon all of this, get rid of Scorpenom and bring back the one, true Venom!

[Rahul]

I like both Venoms.

The best Eddie Brock Venom I had sen was from the 90's cartoon in his first appearance ever(I havent read many of his comic book adventures). There, as Sean mentioned, was a portrayal of the so called 'jilter lover' thing.

But Gargan has a lot of potential. See his ruthlessness in using the symbiote in CW Choosing Sides(Yu draws a heelluva venom), its like a mutual satisfying partnership between them.

But we know that eventually the costume will be returned to Brock, so lets hope that there is Battle Royale between the hosts.

[littleredhat]

In Spider-Girl it was explained that Venom fed off the emotions of its host and that it was what it ate.(or perhaps brain chemicals that cause emotion such as addrenilne)<----sorry me no spell good.

That means that if someone nasty bonds to it is becomes nasty but if somone good bonds to it the suit will purify and become a kind selfless creature.

Eddie was full of hate so that was all the alien ate for years. But lets not forget that when the suit used to take Peter for spins at night it made him do good deeds so it is most likely that it enjoyed the "taste" of Peter's warm fuzzies when he did heroic things.

Also I think that the Hunger storyline could be explained by the creature's desire to protect it's unborn child.

I can't wait for the issue of Spider-Man family that is told completely from the alien's point of veiw.

[Sean Whitmore]

I can't wait for the issue of Spider-Man family that is told completely from the alien's point of veiw.

Hmm, hadn't heard about that. Sounds interesting...and really makes me curious which route the writer plans to take.


SEAN

[DemonJack]

I like both Venoms.

The best Eddie Brock Venom I had sen was from the 90's cartoon in his first appearance ever(I havent read many of his comic book adventures). There, as Sean mentioned, was a portrayal of the so called 'jilter lover' thing.

But Gargan has a lot of potential. See his ruthlessness in using the symbiote in CW Choosing Sides(Yu draws a heelluva venom), its like a mutual satisfying partnership between them.

But we know that eventually the costume will be returned to Brock, so lets hope that there is Battle Royale between the hosts.


Um, isn't Brock, like, you know, uh dead?

Or did I miss-read that?

All I can say is I don't really like the Scorpionvenom or whatever he's called now.

[Nosgoth Phantom]

it is most likely that it enjoyed the "taste" of Peter's warm fuzzies

...
....
.....
I'm not going there :eek:


I believe there was a one shot short of the symbiote/Spider-Man relationship through the mind of the symbiote. For the life of me, I can't remember what issue it was in, but I do remmeber it would go out and fight crime while Peter was asleep. It was caught once by the Black Cat, so the symbiote had Peter's sleeping body go over to her and kiss her to protect Peter's relationship with her.

[666andahalf]

I really wish someone would retcon "The Hunger" storyline. It was cool the close relationship Eddie had with the Symbiote and they ruined it by making the thing into a vampire cancer-eater and not liking Brock anymore. And I'm most certainly not going to accept him having cancer before the Symbiote found him.

You and me both. I couldn't stand that storyline or anything else Paul Jenkins did on his run in Spectacular.

I like the way Venom was back in the early days. He was a real threat to Spidey in both his power and the way he liked to screw with Pete which many other villains couldn't match up to.

[MaxofSteel]

Um, isn't Brock, like, you know, uh dead?

Or did I miss-read that?

Nah Brock is still alive. He's comatose or something in the hospital but he's still kickin'.

[Frodo-X]

Nah Brock is still alive. He's comatose or something in the hospital but he's still kickin'.

Damn Restless Legs Syndrome!:mad:

[Nefarius]

Well,i prefer the old Venom when the symbiote was a rejected "Lover" and Brock a broken man,hating Spiderman for ruining his life.Many appearence in 90s were crap and really hurt Venom as a character.I don't have a problem with Gargan as Venom beacuse i would love to see a more brutal Venom who doesn't care about innocents.But,we all know that in the end Eddy will become Venom again.

[wingsofdamnation]

i like the fox version the most and when people ask me the origin of venom i usually end up telling them about the fox version because its easier to understand and make more sence, at least for me. for instance what would you tell a non-comic reader to make them understand venom:
give explanation of secret war, pete gets new suit but it doesnt really do anything for him except a pretty cool way of pockets, pete rejects it for no reason and the suit leaves for brock

or

spaceship crashes to earth carrying an alien goo, pete experiments on goo, goo attaches to pete, goo turn pete bad, pete has to save himself from the suit and finally rids himself of it, only to have it bond with brock who hates peter and now hates spiderman

that said what i am against is the whole 'i must eat brains to survive' venom. i liked seeing him as a lethal protector mostly because he reminded me of the punisher.

[batturtle]

I like the evolution of the character.
Wonder if Eddie Brock will make a return to the Venom costume in time for Spidey 3?

[sonofagun]

I chose classic "Old School" venom
but that means both visually and via storyline
Todd McFarlane did the perfect Venom IMHO, a bigger bulkier version of Spiderman in the black suit, with a very sinester smile. Erik Larsen for me ruined Venom with the snake like tongue and the stupid pointy teeth. McFarlane Venome was creepy in a sociopath/serial killer kinda look, wheras Larsen (and pretty much everyone since) has played up the alien monster aspect, and that's not what intrigued me about the character to begin with.
The symbiote was a scary enough concept to begin with, I still have all of the issues that Peter wore it in. And Web of Spiderman 1 gave a fitting end to their relationship. Then comes ASM 300 and Whoa, here is the scariest new villan since the original Hobgoblin. Pulling Brock from the Sin Eater storyline, infusing him with the symbiote. And makeing him a match for our hero. You knew that this was gonna be one of those characters that would make their mark.

[littleredhat]

Well here is what I hope to happen.

*warning rambleings*

Doctor Strange manages to get the cancer cure back from whomever has taken it and it starts to go into testing. One of the first human test subjects happens to be a comatose Eddie Brock. It heals him and after a few months of rehab he finds out where his other has gone to. He rages with jelousey and swears to get it back.

He breaks in to ThunderBolts HQ and offers promises of eternal devotion and a box of chocolates freaking out the T-Bolts.

He also says he has a vision that will make both thier dreams come true.

Intriged the suit makes contact with Eddie and almost instantly leaves Gargan.

You see Eddie wants everyone to be as happy as he is with his other and the alien needs to reproduce.

Enter the Church of Symbiosis. Join and you will never be alone again.:evilsmile

[old_schoola]

I like Mac Gargan as venom,I like that brock had a case of concious.

[BadAssMofo]

I personally loved the serial killer, psycopathic, brain eating Venom. None of that other crap that Marvel did to ruin one of Spideys greatest villains. Hero?? Hell naw!!! Killer?? Hells Yeah!!!

[Cayman]

I really enjoy the Mac Gargan villain.

He seems like he should have a fun run with the symbiote.

[Holacik]

Does Venom still gain the strenth and powers of its host permanently after they have bonded?

[Jeff-E]

Personally I'd like to see a balance of the two, with a psycho Venom eating brains not because he has to but because he wants to, and screwing with Pete because he loves him.

[We R. Venom]

Ugh, I cannot stand that Scorpion venom crap. It makes me sick everytime i see it. What Venom used to be is what he was when he was best. This Mac Gargan never should have been venom and ill never accept him. I am surprised i can actually get through civil war, damn millar. Well its all good, i just wont be buying thunderbolts. I just hope brock returns some how. Till then, there is no venom.

[gorthon616]

Actually, I never even knew about the old school Venom. And honestly, it turned tired-90's-villain into a character that actually sounds interesting. I want old Venom!

[DangerRuss]

I like the classic Venom because he was a big monster version of Spiderman that beat Spidey almost to death everytime they met.

Scorpion was already a villian.
They should've let Venom be Venom.

[Johnny_H]

Bring back my Classic Venom and I will .. lol i dunno I cant explain how happy I would be.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8389/spider374ek1.jpg