Warning: contains spoilers forAll-New Venom#8!
Marvelis redefiningVenom’spowers, effectively admitting it has been wasting his potential. Since Venom’s introduction over 35 years ago, creators have found new and novel ways to use his impressive suite of powers. Now, withMary Jane as Venom’s host, the symbiote is unlocking new powers, as seen inAll-New Venom#8.
All-New Venom#8 is written by Al Ewing and drawn by Carlos Gomez. Venom/Mary Jane are attempting to elude the Guardsmen. Venom, under MJ’s direction, shape-shifts into a submarine. MJ expresses surprise that Venom has never done this. He replies: “I never thought of it.”
Venom only follows his host’s lead, meaning neither Peter nor Eddie ever thought of it.
Spider-Man Allies Flash Thompson and Mary Jane Have Been Hosts for the Venom Symbiote
Mary Jane Watson is the latest, and most surprising, host for the Venom symbiote. Once bonded to her former lover Peter Parker, the symbiote then made its way to Eddie Brock. Both Brock and the symbiote felt anger towards Peter, and bonded in their shared hatred, becoming the brutal villain Venom.
Over time,Venom became so popular Marvelhad no choice but to turn him into an anti-hero known as “the Lethal Protector.” There have also been times when the symbiote has been separated from Eddie Brock, and had other hosts, such as Flash Thompson (seen in this issue) and Dylan Brock, Eddie’s son.
Peter Parker and Eddie Brock Failed the Venom Symbiote
It Should Be a Given that Venom Can Shape Shift
Each of Venom’s past hosts used the symbiote’s extensive powers in a variety of ways. Eddie Brock relied more on the Venom symbiote’s strength-enhancing capabilities, pairing it with his extensive hand-to-hand combat training, making him one of Marvel’s most powerful fighters. Others such as Dylan and Flash unlocked other symbiote powers.
Yet none of Venom’s previous hosts, including Peter and Eddie, have been able to accomplish with the symbiote what Mary Jane has achieved.
Yet none of Venom’s previous hosts, including Peter and Eddie, have been able to accomplish with the symbiote what Mary Jane has achieved. MJ has unlocked the symbiote’s shape-shifting capabilities, ordering Venom to take the form of a submarine. The ruse worked, and allowed her and Venom to get to safety.
Given thenature of the Venom symbiote, that it has shape-shifting powers should not come as a surprise. Venom treads into the “body horror” genre often, and shape-shifting falls into this category as well. Fans have seen the symbiote take different shapes before, but they are usually humanoid in nature. One symbiote, Sleeper, appears as a cat.
Mary Jane Might be Venom’s Best Host Yet
Could Mary Jane Surpass Eddie Brock as the Best Venom Host?
Mary Jane unlocking even more Venom powers shows she might be the best host for the symbiote yet.All-NewVenom#8 makes it clear that no other hosts thought of this before, putting MJ into a class of her own, even above Peter Parker and Eddie Brock. MJ also makes it clearMarvelhas been wasting his potential for years.
