Venom through history: A look at the origins and past iterations of the Lethal Protector
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Venom is an alien symbiote who will take on the characteristics of the person or entity that it bonds with, usually heightening strength, rage and aggression — with a slight side effect being the desire to eat others. The symbiote cannot survive long without a host, and it usually manifests as an external suit, but the connection is much deeper than that. As Hardy prepares to step into the role, the Times looks back at the character’s onscreen and comic book origins, including its most influential incarnations.
“The Amazing Spider-Man” #252 (1984)
Due to the way comics were released in 1984, “Secret Wars” #8 (below) was the first time Spider-Man wore the suit but not the first time readers saw it. That was in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #252, which was released in May, months before “Secret Wars” #8’s December debut. The events in “Secret Wars” happened before the events in #252.
It was later discovered by Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four that this costume was actually an alien symbiote. The symbiote had been taking control of Parker’s body while he slept and went out to fight crime at night, beating criminals senseless. Spider-Man subdued the symbiote — its weaknesses being fire and sonic waves — and imprisoned it.
The symbiote somehow escaped, bent on revenge and a need for a host. It was drawn to Eddie Brock because of his hate for Spider-Man (more on that later). The symbiote knew Parker’s life, having bonded with him, so now Brock knew Parker’s life. The symbiote is also able to somehow mute Parker’s spider sense.
“Secret Wars” #8 (1984)
Backing up a bit … In 1984’s “Secret Wars,” in one of the biggest events in comics history, a group of heroes including Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Avengers were kidnapped along with a group of villains that included Doctor Doom, Ultron and Doctor Octopus, to do battle on a hastily constructed planet by an all-powerful being named the Beyonder. In “Secret Wars #8,” after one of the many skirmishes, Spider-Man’s suit was shredded, and he went looking for a machine that could rebuild costumes. He found what he thought was that machine, and wished into existence a small black ball that suddenly surrounded him with a black-and-white costume complete with its own webbing.