Best Venom Comics

Selecting the finest Venom comics is much like choosing the most richly flavored dark chocolate from a selection box. It’s got a deep, slightly bitter taste with a touch of sweetness that leaves you feeling fulfilled. The Venom comics primarily revolve around Eddie Brock and his symbiote partner, an alien entity. These stories delve into their complex dynamics as they traverse the line between heroism and brutality. Initially a Spider-Man adversary, Venom has morphed into an anti-hero with his own set of ethics. He fights to safeguard innocents, yet wrestles with the symbiote’s aggressive tendencies and his own darker inclinations.

Best Venom comics as of 2025

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my admiration for some exceptional Venom stories that have left an indelible mark on me. The cornerstone of these tales lies in his original appearances within Amazing Spider-Man, particularly issue #300. These comics laid the foundation for Venom’s allure and appeal, setting the stage for his complex character development.

Venom: Lethal Protector marked a pivotal shift, transforming him from a mere antagonist to an engaging anti-hero protagonist. This series took us on an enthralling journey, showcasing Venom’s struggle between good and evil, and ultimately humanizing this enigmatic character.

Lastly, Planet of the Symbiotes introduced high-stakes supernatural conflicts that tested Venom to his limits, proving he was more than just a villain. This epic saga demonstrated his growth as a character and solidified his status as a captivating comic book hero in his own right. Let’s delve deeper into why each of these stories stands out as some of the best Venom comics from 2025, as seen through the eyes of an ardent admirer like myself.

Venom: Lethal Protector

In a new beginning, Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote settle in San Francisco to act as a “deadly guardian,” providing aid to vulnerable individuals while employing ruthless tactics against wrongdoers. They find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue involving subterranean dwellers, corporate deceit, and other symbiotes born from Venom’s progeny. Eddie grapples with his heroic role as the symbiote’s violent tendencies persistently draw him towards increasingly severe actions. This six-issue miniseries originated in 1993 from the minds of David Michelinie and Mark Bagley.

Venom’s first solo comic series, titled “Lethal Protector,” marked a significant shift in the character’s narrative when Eddie Brock transitioned from being Spider-Man’s adversary to the main protagonist. This change allowed for a richer exploration of both Eddie and the symbiote, ultimately transforming Venom from a traditional villain into an anti-hero. The “Lethal Protector” concept, where Venom protects innocents in his unique, sometimes brutal manner, became a hallmark trait that has shaped numerous subsequent stories. This moral gray area added depth and complexity to the character, making him far more intriguing than a typical monster figure. Mark Bagley’s artwork beautifully portrayed Venom’s intimidating presence as well as his moments of heroism. This six-issue series not only set the stage for much of Venom’s backstory but is also highly influential, so it’s worth reading.

Venom: Separation Anxiety

In this latest adventure, Eddie Brock and Venom find themselves up against their toughest adversary yet: The Purple Man, who uses his mind-controlling abilities to seize the symbiote from Eddie. As the Purple Man gains dominance over the alien entity, Eddie grows weaker and increasingly desperate while the villain becomes stronger. It’s a race against time for Eddie to free himself from the Purple Man’s mental grasp and reclaim his symbiote before he turns into an unstoppable force that endangers all of humanity. This thrilling storyline was penned by David Michelinie and beautifully illustrated by Gerardo Sandoval.

Instead of opting for the previous four-issue series with the same title, I selected this fresh release due to several factors. The renowned co-creator of Venom, David Michelinie, has revisited the character in this issue. If you appreciate the vintage style of Marvel comics, then this one is tailored just for you. It delivers a “back-to-basics” Venom narrative, blending classic action and Eddie’s anguish, while introducing new plotlines. The stakes are sky-high, as all of humanity might be at risk, making it incredibly captivating. The artwork is breathtaking, with Venom appearing more formidable than ever and his chilling grin adorning each page. David Michelinie effectively conveys the character through dialogue that feels genuine. Essentially, this comic embodies what one would expect from a Venom read.

Spider-Man: Birth of Venom

On Battleworld, Spidey stumbles upon a dark extraterrestrial suit that amplifies his abilities. When he returns to Earth, he finds out this suit is not just an ordinary costume but a sentient symbiote yearning to merge with him permanently. Peter decides against it, and the displeased symbiote links up with Eddie Brock instead – a former reporter who holds Spider-Man responsible for his career downfall. Now, Eddie and the symbiote transform into Venom, a lethal adversary of Spidey, who knows all his hidden secrets and seeks retribution.

Instead of referring to “Spider-Man: Birth of Venom” as a single comic, it’s essential to clarify that it’s actually a trade paperback compilation of stories where the character Venom first appeared. This collection encompasses crucial issues from Secret Wars, Amazing Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four. The origin story of the black suit in Secret Wars #8 (1984) serves as a cornerstone, as it introduces Spider-Man to what he initially perceives as a costume-making machine on Battleworld, revealing the symbiote’s extraterrestrial origins and its initial bond with Peter Parker. The black costume’s introduction to the main Marvel Universe in Amazing Spider-Man #252 showcases how it augmented Spider-Man’s abilities, while subtly foreshadowing something sinister. The revelation that the suit was alive and attempting to permanently bind with Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #258) sets the terror that becomes synonymous with the character.

To put it simply, the standout issue #300 of Amazing Spider-Man, penned by David Michelinie and illustrated by Todd McFarlane, marked the debut of Eddie Brock as Venom. This comic is memorable due to its blend of the symbiote’s alien essence with Eddie’s intense dislike for Spider-Man. The tales resonate because they gradually escalated Venom from a helpful suit to an invasive alien and ultimately to a vengeful beast. The symbiote’s fixation on Peter Parker, along with Eddie’s personal grievance, crafted one of Spider-Man’s most indelible adversaries.

Edge of Venomverse

At the periphery of the Venomverse, an anthology collection unfolds, presenting various iterations of Venom hailing from distinct corners of the multiverse. Each installment showcases the symbiote linking with diverse hosts in alternate dimensions, such as Gwenpool, X-23, and characters who didn’t become Venom in the primary Marvel universe. These tales delve into how the symbiote adapts to different personalities and environments, paving the way for the grand Venomverse crossover event.

In this collection, various creative groups had the freedom to imagine unique interpretations of the Venom theme. It’s intriguing to witness how the symbiote could interact with diverse hosts or environments. Some standout tales showcased the symbiote bonding with characters such as Gwenpool, X-23, and even non-traditional hosts like a raccoon. These stories offered writers an opportunity to delve into the symbiote’s versatility. Although not all stories were equally powerful, each creative team brought their unique artistic flair to the narratives. Overall, this series is seen more as an entertaining detour than a foundational piece of Venom mythology. However, it does connect to the larger Venomverse narrative and sets crucial stories in motion.

Venom: Planet of the Symbiotes

A swarm of extraterrestrial symbiotes descends upon Earth, with the intent to merge with and dominate all humans. The unlikely duo of Eddie Brock and his Venom symbiote must temporarily abandon their villainous ways to safeguard Earth from this impending invasion. Joining forces with Spider-Man and other heroes, Venom becomes instrumental in halting the symbiote onslaught as his alien companion possesses knowledge of their vulnerabilities, potentially tipping the scales in favor of humanity. This five-issue comic series was penned by David Michelinie and illustrated by Kyle Hotz.

In this comic series, titled “Planet of the Symbiotes,” the tension escalates dramatically. The scope and idea are nothing short of grandiose. This isn’t your typical Eddie battling petty street criminals; instead, it’s a planetary crisis that demands him to take on the role of a true hero. He must dig deep and confront the regrettable decisions he’s made before. In essence, he demonstrates heroism, overcoming his villainous image. The narrative is filled with humor, exhilarating fights, and unexpected twists. A familiarity with Spider-Man/Venom lore, especially Michelinie’s work, enhances the reading experience as it references Marvel history. The artwork stands out, and Scarlet Spider seems to have an impressive workout routine (his glutes are quite prominent). The characters appear muscular, resembling bodybuilders. This comic marks a significant event in the Marvel universe, impacting more than just Venom’s domain.

How we chose the best Venom comics

When it comes to selecting top-notch Venom comics, there are certain criteria that I personally consider essential. First and foremost, a substantial amount of Venom should be featured. Beyond this point, I’d like to witness his character development, delve deeper into the symbiote connection, incorporate intriguing crossovers, and ensure the narrative carries weight.

Some of these comics serve as cornerstones within Venom’s mythos, while others offer thought-provoking insights into the symbiote. The finest writers strike a balance between portraying his monstrous side and his protective instincts. Given that Venom is such a visually engaging character, the artwork must capture both his fearsome and heroic aspects effectively.

As I evaluate potential candidates for my list of best Venom comics, questions like: Does the story remain compelling upon multiple reads? Are fans still discussing it years later? come to mind. Based on these factors, what do you believe are some of the top Venom comics out there?

2025-07-21 21:29