Best Venom Comics (Updated: August 2025)

Discovering the top Venom comics offers glimpses into the intricate bond between the character and the Marvel universe. This enigmatic figure, who straddles the line between hero and villain, has garnered a huge fanbase, with Eddie Brock now equally recognized as Peter Parker. The following selections provide insight into some of Venom’s most captivating comic book storylines, laying a strong groundwork for delving deeper into the adventures of this otherworldly symbiote.

Best Venom comics as of 2025

The character of Venom has evolved significantly since his debut in the Amazing Spider-Man comic books, originally portrayed as a villain. Over time, he transformed into an anti-hero, yet he continues to grapple with his inherent nature, causing ongoing issues with reluctant hosts. For some captivating Venom tales, take a look at the comics listed below.

King in Black

In King in Black, the symbiote deity Knull leads an attack on Earth accompanied by his troops. During this invasion, Knull engages in a battle against Marvel’s entire hero lineup, while Venom searches for a means to vanquish him. Regardless of their collective efforts, the conflict ultimately hinges on Dylan Brock’s distinctive talent and his father Eddie’s bond with him.

The King in Black saga is a magnificent tale, matching the scale and splendor of Secret Wars. Every element of the Marvel universe seems to be shifting within this narrative, making it a must-read for all fans who adore superheroes.

Venom: Lethal Protector

In San Francisco, Eddie Brock and his symbiote alter ego, Venom, seek a new beginning as a “deadly guardian.” They assist the innocent while employing harsh tactics against lawbreakers. However, they soon find themselves entangled in a dispute involving subterranean dwellers, corporate deceit, and additional symbiotes born from Venom’s progeny. Eddie grapples with his role as a hero as the symbiote’s aggressive tendencies frequently lure him towards more drastic actions. This six-issue miniseries was conceived by David Michelinie and Mark Bagley in 1993.

The Lethal Protector marked the debut of Venom’s standalone series, a groundbreaking venture at the time. After spending years as Spider-Man’s main adversary, Eddie Brock stepped into the limelight to star in his own narrative. This shift allowed for an in-depth examination and growth of both Eddie and the symbiote, transforming Venom from a pure villain into an anti-hero.

The Lethal Protector concept, where Venom safeguards innocent people using his unique, brutal methods, became a defining trait that has influenced numerous subsequent stories. This moral ambiguity gave the character a captivating complexity beyond just a typical monster. Mark Bagley’s artwork beautifully captured Venom’s both fearsome and heroic aspects, making this six-issue run particularly influential in shaping Venom mythology. Don’t miss out on this series as it lays the foundation for much of Venom’s backstory!

Venom: Separation Anxiety

In this latest adventure, Eddie Brock and his symbiotic companion Venom encounter their toughest adversary when the Purple Man exploits his mind-control abilities to seize the symbiote from Eddie. As the Purple Man exerts ever more influence over the extraterrestrial ally, Eddie grows weaker and increasingly desperate, while the villain steadily gains power. Faced with the daunting task of freeing himself from the Purple Man’s mental grip and reclaiming his symbiote before he becomes an unstoppable force that endangers all of mankind, Eddie embarks on a perilous quest. This captivating tale was penned by David Michelinie and brought to life by Gerardo Sandoval.

I opted for this fresh take on Venom over the previous four-issue series for various reasons. The original co-creator of Venom, David Michelinie, is back with this issue, which harks back to a specific era of Marvel comics, making it perfect if you’re a fan of that style. This series delivers a return to fundamental Venom storytelling, blending classic action sequences with Eddie Brock’s inner turmoil, while also introducing new plotlines. The stakes are incredibly high as the fate of all humanity hangs in the balance, making it incredibly captivating. The artwork is simply stunning, with Venom appearing larger than life and his menacing toothy grin adorning every page. David Michelinie’s understanding of the character shines through in the dialogue, giving the comic a solid feel that fans have come to expect from Venom comics.

Spider-Man: Birth of Venom

On Battleworld, Spider-Man stumbles upon a dark extraterrestrial suit that amplifies his abilities. Upon returning to Earth, he uncovers this suit is not merely an inanimate object but a sentient symbiote seeking permanent attachment with him. However, Peter refuses the symbiote, and feeling scorned, it links up with Eddie Brock, a bitter journalist who accuses Spider-Man of wrecking his professional life. As one entity, Eddie and the symbiote transform into Venom, a lethal adversary for Spider-Man, privy to all his secrets and driven by a desire for retribution.

Instead of a single comic book titled “Spider-Man: Birth of Venom,” it’s actually a compilation, or trade paperback, that gathers the stories where the character Venom first appeared. This collection encompasses crucial issues from Secret Wars, Amazing Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four. The seminal story in Secret Wars #8 (1984) is significant, as it depicts Spider-Man encountering what he believes to be a costume-making machine on Battleworld. This encounter reveals the symbiote’s alien origins and its initial bond with Peter Parker. In Amazing Spider-Man #252, the black costume makes its debut in the main Marvel Universe, showcasing how it boosted Spider-Man’s powers but also suggesting something was amiss. The revelation that the suit was alive and seeking to permanently bond with Peter is found in Amazing Spider-Man #258, a twist that instills the horror that has become synonymous with the character.

Primarily, it’s worth noting that the character Venom, a formidable adversary for Spider-Man, first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #300, penned by David Michelinie and illustrated by Todd McFarlane. This issue is renowned due to its depiction of the symbiote’s extraterrestrial essence intertwined with Eddie Brock’s intense dislike for Spider-Man. The narrative resonates because it progressively established Venom as a threat, starting from a useful suit, transitioning into a parasitic alien entity, and ultimately transforming into a vengeful monster. The symbiote’s fixation on Peter Parker, coupled with Eddie Brock’s personal grudge against Spider-Man, culminated in the creation of one of Spider-Man’s most indelible villains.

Edge of Venomverse

The Edge of Venomverse is a collection of stories that showcase various incarnations of Venom from multiple universes. In each comic, the symbiote bonds with diverse hosts from alternate realities, such as Gwenpool, X-23, and characters who didn’t become Venom in the primary Marvel universe. These tales delve into how the symbiote might act with various personalities and in different dimensions, paving the way for the grand Venomverse crossover event.

In this anthology, various creative groups had the opportunity to interpret their unique perspectives on the Venom theme. It’s exciting to witness how the symbiote could interact with diverse hosts or settings. Some standout tales showcased the symbiote bonding with characters like Gwenpool, X-23, and even an animal host (such as a raccoon). These situations offered writers a chance to delve into the symbiote’s versatility. Although not every story was consistently strong, each creative team contributed their distinctive artistic styles to the narratives. Overall, this series is perceived more as a light-hearted diversion than a fundamental part of Venom’s backstory. Yet, it does connect to the broader Venomverse saga and lays the groundwork for significant tales.

Venom: Planet of the Symbiotes

Alien creatures known as symbiotes descend upon Earth from outer space, intending to merge with and dominate all humans. The unconventional duo of Eddie Brock and his Venom symbiote find themselves in a unique position to protect our planet, setting aside their typical villainous ways. Teaming up with Spider-Man and other heroes, Venom emerges as the crucial figure in thwarting this extraterrestrial invasion, as his symbiotic partner possesses knowledge of the invaders’ vulnerabilities and can help tip the scales in humanity’s favor. This five-issue comic book series was penned by David Michelinie and brought to life by Kyle Hotz.

In this comic book series, titled “Planet of the Symbiotes,” the tension escalates dramatically, offering an extraordinary narrative that’s nothing short of epic. This isn’t your typical Eddie battling petty street criminals; instead, he confronts a planetary crisis demanding him to rise as a genuine hero. He must dig deep and overcome his past mistakes, proving himself to be more hero than villain. There’s a healthy dose of humor, thrilling action sequences, and unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. A familiarity with Spider-Man/Venom lore is beneficial for reading this storyline as Michelinie skillfully references Marvel history. The artwork stands out, and Scarlet Spider’s physique is impressive (I wonder what his workout routine is). The characters are muscular and well-defined. This comic book series marks a significant event in the Marvel universe, impacting more than just Venom’s corner of it.

How we chose the best Venom comics

Top-tier Venom comics should contain a substantial amount of Venom himself, as well as his evolution and exploration of the symbiote bond. They often feature exciting crossovers with other characters, ensuring the narrative remains significant. These stories play a crucial role in shaping Venom’s mythology, while also serving as creative reflections on the symbiote. The ideal writer strikes a balance between showcasing Venom’s monstrous side and his protective instincts. Given that Venom is primarily a visual character, the artwork should effectively depict both his fearsome and heroic aspects. A good Venom comic should be engaging upon multiple reads and continue to resonate with fans long after it was first published. What are your favorite Venom comics?

2025-08-08 02:39