Sony? MCU? Who Cares?! Venom Just Landed NEW “Horrifying” Origin Series

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eddie brock turning into venom

Credit: Sony Pictures

Venom has had something of a renaissance in recent years. The villainous character and nemesis of Peter Parker have shown up time and time again in Marvel’s stories but his live-action life has been somewhat muddled. From a messy appearance in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 (2007) to Tom Hardy’s turn as the alien symbiote, Venom is a popular yet seeming difficult character to establish onscreen.

But regardless of his live-action prowess, Marvel Comics has just announced a brand-new origin series detailing the “horrifying” tale of this fan-favorite villain.

spider-man vs venom
Credit: Marvel

Venom’s recent outing at the box office has been successful commercially if not critically. Hardy’s take on the Marvel character, Eddie Brock AKA Venom was met with a lukewarm reception yet the movie, Venom (2018) from director Ruben Fleischer, has gained an almost cult status thanks to Hardy’s grumbly version of the Spider-Man villain. Hardy was well-received but the actor has received backlash over inappropriate comments made years ago.

Andy Serkis’ follow-up movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) starring Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady AKA Carnage and Michelle Williams as Anne Weying, was released this year to a breathtaking audience response and massive box office receipts that put Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe to shame. With the world eyeing up the debut of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), fans were also questioning whether these two characters — who are both owned by Sony but exist in separate universes — would eventually cross paths. There have been rumors after all.

Venom 2 sony spider-man spinoff
Credit: Sony Pictures

While Venom’s live-action career is rising to new heights, let’s not forget the character’s comic book roots in the Marvel Universe. First appearing in “The Amazing Spider-Man #252” (1984) as “The Alien Costume”, Venom was officially named by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane in “The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988)” following a short cameo appearance in the previous issue.

It will be Michelinie that will bring an all-new series to Marvel fans next March called “Venom: Lethal Protector”. Marvel.com reveal more information on the upcoming release:

Known for his legendary run on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN where he introduced Venom alongside Todd McFarlane, Michelinie is ready to take readers on a ride back to the beginning of Venom’s incredible legacy with an all-new adventure! Featuring artwork by rising star Ivan Fiorelli, this five-issue limited series will be a captivating visit to Venom’s sinister early days, all by the influential writer that defined him and made him the iconic character he is today!

Venom: Lethal Protector First Issue Cover
Credit: Marvel.com

The report follows with the synopsis:

Before Carnage and space gods, clones and toxins, and the revelation that he was a father, Eddie Brock was a down-on-his-luck reporter who had tried to take his own life before being saved by an extraterrestrial alien. In the spirit of hit titles like X-MEN LEGENDS and MAESTRO, explore an earlier era of Marvel Comics for an all-new, horrifying tale that not only revisits the wicked web-slinger’s past, but hints at what’s to come in his future!

As for that future, the post-credits scene during Venom: Let There Be Carnage showed Brock and Venom watching television when the report revealing Spider-Man’s identity from JK Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson appeared onscreen. This seemingly connected the two universes; the universe’s in question being Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and the MCU. The former was launched following the debut of Venom and will go on to consist of upcoming projects like Morbius (2022) and Kraven the Hunter (2023).

Tom Holland as spider-man
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

For those wanting the full lowdown on Sony’s Spider-Man Universe vs. the MCU, then head here for all the details.

“Venom: Lethal Protector” hits shelves on 23 March 2022.

Will you be picking up this new Venom origin story? Let us know in the comments down below!

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