In comic books published by Marvel Comics, there’s an alien species known as Symbiotes, but their true name is Klyntar. They are called symbiotes due to the symbiotic relationships they form with their hosts. These Klyntars establish a psychic link, creating a symbiotic entity from both host and symbiote. The Klyntars have the ability to subtly modify the personalities of their hosts, influencing their deepest desires and wills, while at the same time enhancing their physical and emotional characteristics, granting them superhuman abilities.
Here’s a rephrase: In our latest post, we’re excited to share a rundown of the 20 mightiest Symbiotes hailing from the Marvel comic book realm. You’ll recognize some well-known faces like Venom and Carnage among them, but there are plenty more powerful entities to discover! Dive in and enjoy!
20. Venomsaurus Rex
Alter egos (Hosts): None (a Savage Lands Tyrannosaurs Rex)
Debut: Wolverine #70 (February 2009)
In my critique as a moviegoer, I found myself captivated by the intriguing character introduced in the “Old Man Logan” saga, colloquially known as the Venom-Tyrannosaurus Rex. This fearsome beast was not initially Venom himself but a T-Rex infused with his venomous essence. The chase between Venom and Wolverine in the Savage Lands set the stage for this unexpected arrival.
At first, it was just Venom pursuing Old Man Logan, but things took a turn when a venomized Tyrannosaurus Rex made its menacing appearance. Tragically, it met its end in “Wolverine” #71, leaving us with limited knowledge about this formidable reptile at the time.
1. The backstory of the character was detailed in the “Old Man Hawkeye” narrative, which unveiled that Hawkeye played a part in the creation of the dinosaur-like symbiote known as Venom. In issue #6 of the series, we witness Hawkeye eliminating several Jamie Maddrox duplicates, leading to his own pursuit by the sole survivor of the massacre who is now linked with Venom due to a symbiote.
2. The origins of this character were explained in the “Old Man Hawkeye” comic series, where it became clear that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) was involved in the manufacture of the Venom-like dinosaur symbiote. In issue #6, we observe Hawkeye eliminating numerous Jamie Maddrox replicas, causing him to be chased by the lone remaining duplicate who has now formed a bond with Venom through a symbiote.
3. The origins of this character were disclosed in the “Old Man Hawkeye” comic book, where it was made known that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) participated in the development of the Venom-like dinosaur symbiote. In issue #6, we can see Hawkeye killing many Jamie Maddrox duplicates, resulting in his own chase by the only surviving replica who has now connected with Venom through a symbiote.
4. The character’s background was revealed in the “Old Man Hawkeye” storyline, where it was disclosed that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) had a hand in creating the Venom-like dinosaur symbiote. In issue #6 of the series, we observe Hawkeye killing multiple Jamie Maddrox clones, leading him to be pursued by the last clone who has now bonded with Venom through a symbiote.
5. The history of this character was unveiled in the “Old Man Hawkeye” comic book series, where it became apparent that Hawkeye (Clint Barton) played a role in the development of the Venom-like dinosaur symbiote. In issue #6, we can see Hawkeye taking out numerous Jamie Maddrox duplicates, causing his own pursuit by the lone clone who has now associated with Venom through a symbiote.
6. The storyline of the character was laid out in “Old Man Hawkeye,” where it was exposed that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) contributed to the creation of the dinosaur-like symbiote known as Venom. In issue #6, we can see Hawkeye killing several Jamie Maddrox duplicates, resulting in his own pursuit by the remaining replica who has now linked with Venom through a symbiote.
7. The backstory of this character was detailed in “Old Man Hawkeye,” where it was discovered that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) had a hand in producing the Venom-like dinosaur symbiote. In issue #6, we can observe Hawkeye killing multiple Jamie Maddrox clones, causing him to be hunted by the last survivor who has now bonded with Venom through a symbiote.
As a die-hard movie fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Using his Multiple Man abilities, an ominous Venom horde multiplied and pursued Clint Barton relentlessly across the nation. Their chase finally culminated in #5, leaving Hawkeye battered and wounded. In desperation, he sought sanctuary at Kate Bishop’s haven, but trouble followed – the Venoms have tracked us down, putting everyone under Kate’s care in grave danger.
In a hurry, the struggle intensifies so much that Clint feels compelled to abandon the settlement, intending his departure to draw all the Venom creatures towards him. This diversion should keep the Venoms away from the community while he seeks help. They swiftly follow him across the desert, transforming into more formidable Venoms along the way.
Of course, Clint has thought this through – he’s aware that there are Savage Land-imported dinosaurs wandering the desert, and he’s banking on this fact. He purposely creates a ruckus to attract a Tyrannosaurus Rex. As expected, the dinosaur gobbles up the symbiote, and we watch as Venom is swallowed by the dinosaur right in its mouth. Meanwhile, Hawkeye casually departs from the scene.
It’s possible that Hawkeye believed this encounter marked Venom’s demise, but as we’ve seen in “Old Man Logan,” he was mistaken. Venom seemed to relish the power and control he wielded alongside a Tyrannosaurus Rex, so instead of departing, he continued to associate with it, using it to hunt and kill those wandering through the Savage Lands.
19. Deadpool Venom

Alter egos (Hosts): Wade Wilson (Deadpool)
Debut: Venom/Deadpool: What If? #1 (February 2011)
In an alternate universe known as Earth-90211, the character Wade Wilson (Deadpool) made his debut in the story titled “What If Venom Possessed Deadpool?” which was a spin-off from What If… Iron Man: Demon in Armor. In this tale set during the 1980s, Deadpool is employed by Galactus with an assignment to eliminate the Beyonder. During their journey in the Beyonder’s flying limousine, the two cosmic entities are joined by Spider-Man who implores the Beyonder to release him from his symbiotic suit, only to be thrown out of the vehicle.
As a fanatic admirer, let me rephrase it: Initially, the symbiote departs from Peter Parker’s physique and connects with mine, metamorphosing me into Venompool. Following years of reckless living, the cosmic entity known as the Beyonder ejects me back to Earth. In this new reality, I come to understand that I’ve activated the “Recton Expungifier”, an extraordinary weapon, said to be the only one capable of annihilating the Beyonder itself.
Following the abduction and sale of a tipsy Tony Stark by A.I.M., Venompool resolves to transform his life into one of heroism, but encounters rejection from every supergroup due to his iconic Jheri curls. Despite shedding this outdated hairstyle, he continues to feel marginalized. Post the Secret Wars, he deactivates the weapon and readies himself for his mission.
18. Phage

Alter egos (Hosts): Carl Mach, Rico Axelson, Billy
Debut: Venom: Lethal Protector #4 (May 1993)
Phage, a fictitious villain linked to Spider-Man’s storyline, debuted in Marvel Comics publications. You can find him first in issue #4 of “Venom: Lethal Protector.” This character was ingeniously crafted by David Michelinie and Ron Lim. Phage is among the six symbiote offspring of Venom. He is primarily a light brown hue and possesses eyes that are connected as one.
Carl Mach is an operative, employed by a shady organization known as “Life Foundation”. Originating from the Cold War era, this company aimed to offer a luxurious lifestyle for their affluent clients following a predicted nuclear catastrophe. The Life Foundation found itself involved with the Venom symbiote, hoping to create super-powered peacekeepers in the process.
Among five individuals, both men and women, Carl is selected as a host for the compulsorily generated Venom offspring. In the narrative of ‘Venom: Lethal Protector’, Phage and his kin are vanquished by Venom and Spider-Man. His symbiote is accelerated to disintegrate into dust, while his physical body was trapped in a colossal explosion. The miniseries, titled ‘Venom: Separation Anxiety’, unveils that Phage and other symbiotes managed to survive due to the intervention of the Life Foundation.
In their desperate attempt to interact with their mysterious entities, they abduct Eddie Brock, who has recently been freed from prison, and engage in combat with him. In issue #4, Scream eliminates Phage using a sonic blade, considering all Symbiotes and any hosts linked to them as wicked. However, the Phage symbiote endures and is detained on La Chapelle alongside its kin (excluding Carnage and Scream).
Over time, the symbiotes join forces and link up with an individual named Scott Washington, transforming into Hybrid. Following a merger with a canine, it reverts to its original state by contaminating a troubled family. During Knull’s and his symbiotes’ invasion of Earth, this devotee of the dark deity engages in combat with Scream, ultimately meeting his demise at Scream’s hands.
17. Riot

Alter egos (Hosts): Trevor Cole, Howard Ogden
Debut: Venom: Lethal Protector #4 (May 1993)
Riot is a fictional villain who originates from Marvel’s Spider-Man comic series. He made his debut in issue #4 of “Venom: Lethal Protector.” This character was brought to life by writers David Michelinie and Ron Lim. Riot is one of the six symbiote offspring of the Venom creature.
Trevor Cole served as a hired gun for an ominous organization, known as “The Life Foundation,” during the Cold War era. This company aimed to ensure a luxurious subterranean existence for its elite patrons once a predicted nuclear catastrophe occurred. The Foundation engaged in secret experiments involving the Venom symbiote, hoping to create super-powered peacekeepers.
As a passionate film buff, I’d rephrase it like this: In a world where Venom spawns were forcibly created and five of us were chosen as hosts, I found myself among them – that was me, Trevor. Unfortunately, my encounter with Venom and Spider-Man in the Venom: Lethal Protector storyline didn’t go as planned; they defeated me. The symbiote bonding with me was artificially aged to dust, and the explosion that obliterated the Foundation of Life headquarters was so powerful it’s believed my body no longer exists.
In the miniseries “Venom: Separation Anxiety,” the symbiote resurfaced. The fact that he couldn’t manage the symbiote attached to him led to his aggression. Trevor and other hosts embarked on a journey to locate Venom, aiming to capture him for advice on controlling their symbiotes. Before getting killed by her “sister” Scream using a sound knife, Leslie expressed guilt and regret about his actions.
Following Trevor’s demise, the remnants of his symbiote combine with his symbiotic kin (excluding Carnage and Scream), compelling a man named Scott Washington to harbor the amalgamated symbiotes known as the Hybrid. After bonding with a canine, it reverted back to its original shape by contaminating a troubled family. During Knull’s and his symbiotes’ invasion of Earth, this devotee of the Dark God clashes with Scream, who ultimately brings about his demise.
16. Agony

Character Aliases (Personifications): Leslie Gesneria, James Murphy, Tess
First Appearance: Comic Book – Venom: Lethal Protector #4 (May 1993)
In a nutshell, Leslie Gesneria is a fabricated antagonist, often at odds with the comic book hero Spider-Man. She debuted in issue #4 of “Venom: Lethal Protector,” and her creation is credited to David Michelinie and Ron Lim. This villainess serves as a host to one of Venom’s six symbiote offspring, which primarily exhibits a deep purple hue.
Leslie Gesneria served as a mercenary for an organization known as “Life Foundation,” whose goal was to create a safe, subterranean haven for their affluent patrons following the anticipated nuclear disaster. The Foundation engaged in experiments involving the Venom symbiote, aiming to produce super-powered peacekeepers. Leslie was among the five individuals selected to host Venom’s offspring, which were produced under duress. In the comic series Venom: Lethal Protector, she is defeated by both Venom and Spider-Man.
In the Venom: Separation Anxiety miniseries, it’s shown that the artificially aged symbiote, who we believed perished in an explosion at the Life Foundation’s headquarters, actually survived. Initially, this symbiote desired to be a heroine, but, like the other Life Foundation hosts, she struggled to maintain control over her symbiotic companion.
In simpler terms, Leslie, along with others, engaged in conflict with Eddie Brock, who was Venom’s hidden identity and had just been released from prison. They were abducted by him to learn how to manage their symbiotes better. However, Leslie expressed regret and remorse for her actions before she was killed by her “sister,” Scream, using a high-frequency blade. Following Leslie’s death, what was left of her symbiote combined with those of her brothers (with the exceptions of Carnage and Toxin) and took over a man named Scott Washington, resulting in a new entity known as Hybrid.
Following the union with a canine, she reverts to her initial shape by tainting a troubled household. In the attack on Earth by Knull and his symbiotic allies, this devotee of the dark deity engages in combat with Scream, who is destined to bring about her demise.
15. Mania

Primary Characters (Personifications): Patricia Robertson, Andi Benton, Lee Price, among others
First Appearance: Issue #1 of Venom (June 2003)
The character Mania, sometimes referred to as Venom or Maniac, is a fictitious figure who graces the pages of Marvel Comics publications. This character was first introduced in issue #1 of ‘Venom’, and was brought into existence by writers Daniel Way and Francisco Herrera. These beings are known as Symbionts, a shape-shifting alien species, and have been hosted by Patricia Robertson, Andrea “Andi” Benton, and Lee Price in the comic series.
The symbiote known as Mania was created using genetic material from Venom, another symbiote, which was acquired from Ararat Corporation. This replica was developed in their lab located in Mesa Verde, New Mexico. Initially, it resisted bonding with any potential hosts during tests, instead opting to brutally slay them not for sustenance but out of sheer sadism and for simple pleasure.
In a situation where two possible hosts presented themselves – an elderly man named Alfonse Poina and a former convict named Eric Moody, who was imprisoned for murdering six men – the symbiote attacked them both. When Moody successfully fended it off, the symbiote then allied with Poina and mocked Moody for his past rape in prison, memories that the symbiote had learned from him during its attempt to bond. Ultimately, the symbiote killed Poina indirectly by means of rape.
OR
Faced with two potential hosts – an old man named Alfonse Poina and a convicted murderer named Eric Moody – the symbiote attacked them both. When Moody managed to repel it, the symbiote partnered with Poina and ridiculed Moody for his prison rape experience, memories which it had gained while trying to bond. It then killed Poina implicitly by means of a violent act.
Following the intentional death of its host through the withdrawal of essential liquids, the symbiote (previously called Venom) was discovered prepared by Bob and dispatched to a laboratory owned by Ararat Corporation in the Canadian Arctic. After almost two years, Bob extracted it from one of the scientists there. Shortly following this event, Patricia Robertson, a U.S. Army lieutenant posted at a nearby radar station, visited the lab. The Venom symbiote then enticed her with a false appearance as an assistant.
During Robertson’s examination of the scene, the Venom symbiote clandestinely connected with one of their sled dogs, Ivan, before being transported back to base. Later that day, the Venom symbiote detached from Ivan and bonded with Harold Saunders. By nightfall, it had left Saunders and concealed his body in the snow. The following morning, the symbiote was unearthed and partially consumed by Ivan.
In disguise as Malone, the Venom symbiote feigned innocence until seizing survivor Perry alone for an attack. When Perry shouted for help, Robertson and Daniel Jackson rushed over, only to be assaulted by the symbiote themselves. Just as it was preparing to advance towards Robertson, a mysterious man in a black suit, carrying a phone capable of summoning lightning, intervened and attacked the symbiote.
Jackson’s actions to shield his superior officer inadvertently freed the Venom symbiote. Once it had drained Malone of life, the Venom symbiote laid a trap and suddenly attacked the suit, ripping it apart piece by piece, revealing that it was a synthetic costume crafted by extraterrestrial spider-like robots.
Following the events of “Dark Reign” and “Spider-Man: Big Time”, the Venom symbiote was violently taken away from the Raft by its previous host, Mac Gargan, and subsequently bonded with Flash Thompson, transforming him into the renowned Anti-Venom. At that time, he was teaching physical education in an alternative setting within Philadelphia. One of his students, Andrea Benton, found herself in a conflict with the supervillain Jack O’Lantern, who tried to end her life using poison gas.
In a bid to save her, Flash unknowingly passed on what he believed to be a fragment of the Venom symbiote, resulting in Andrea forming a bond with it instead of merely receiving protection. Instead of using this newfound power defensively, Andrea chose to harness it for vengeance against crime lord Ogre, who had been responsible for her father’s demise.
The unusual behavior exhibited by “Mania” caught the interest of occult agents known as Crossbones and Master Mayhem, who closely observed any indications that “Mania” was in contact with the underworld. One night, Lee Price and a group of hired goons sprang an ambush on Andi during her patrol, using flamethrowers and a potent sonic cannon to try and drive the symbiote away from her.
1. Although Andi lived, but in a critical condition, Price seized the symbiote and renamed himself “Maniac”. Using the Maniac symbiote, Lee manipulated criminals to build his own criminal organization by forcibly inserting parts of the symbiote into people’s faces, thereby subduing them to his command.
2. Andi miraculously survived, though severely hurt, and Price claimed the symbiote, transforming himself into “Maniac”. Leveraging the power of the Maniac symbiote, Lee orchestrated a criminal empire by compelling it upon unsuspecting individuals, thereby gaining control over them and bending them to his will.
3. Andi’s life was spared, though it hung precariously in the balance, but Price seized the opportunity to claim the symbiote for himself, adopting the persona of “Maniac”. Using the Maniac symbiote, Lee established a criminal network by imposing his will upon its subjects, forcibly bonding them with fragments of the symbiote.
4. Andi’s survival was a close-run thing, but Price grabbed the chance to obtain the symbiote and became “Maniac”. Using the Maniac symbiote, Lee amassed power by exerting control over criminals, forcibly merging fragments of the symbiote with them to bend them to his will and create his own criminal empire.
5. Andi clung to life, though barely, but Price seized the symbiote and transformed into “Maniac”. With the Maniac symbiote at his disposal, Lee constructed a criminal organization by subjugating criminals, forcing them to accept fragments of the symbiote, thereby making them obey his every command.
14. Lasher

Ramon Hernandez, Marcus Simms, Sadie
First Appearance: Venom: Lethal Protector #4 (May 1993)
In the Marvel Comics universe, Lasher is a fictional character introduced in the “Venom: Lethal Protector” issue 4. This character was brought to life by writers David Michelinie and Ron Lim. Known as one of Venom’s symbiote offspring, Lasher got his name from his action figure.
Ramon Hernandez serves as a mercenary for a mysterious organization known as the Life Foundation, which emerged during the Cold War. This enigmatic company aims to ensure a luxurious post-apocalyptic existence for its affluent patrons, primarily by preparing for a potential nuclear catastrophe. In an effort to create a new form of life and potentially develop superhumans capable of maintaining peace, the Life Foundation experimented with the Venom symbiote.
Among five individuals, both men and women, Ramon is selected as a host for Venom’s unwilling reproduction. After a battle with Venom and Spider-Man, Ramon and his fellow hosts were overpowered, their symbiote offspring and supposed bodies were destroyed in a gigantic explosion.
Later on, Ramon and his remaining siblings make a desperate move to rescue Eddie Brock from prison. Their aim is to communicate with their enigmatic “others”. Simultaneously, Ramon and those seeking to control these symbiotes for benevolent purposes find themselves in conflict. Meanwhile, they face pursuit by a technologically advanced group of vigilantes who share the same goal: eliminating all symbiotes entirely.
I, being influenced by the chaotic cacophony within my mind, have been led to a terrible truth – the annihilation of the symbiotes is the only solution to quell their malevolence. Unfortunately, that includes Ramon, who fell victim to Scream’s sonic knife wielding hands. Just as tragically, Scream continued this brutal path, taking the lives of other symbiotes and their hosts.
The remnants of the symbiote joined forces with its fellow entities (excluding Carnage and Scream) to create a new anti-hero known as Hybrid. Now bonded with Marcus Simms’ canine companion, Lasher engages in combat against his sibling Carnage. Following this fusion, it reverts back to its original state by infecting a troubled family. During Knull’s and his symbiotes’ invasion of Earth, this devotee of the dark deity confronts Scream, who ultimately brings about his demise.
13. Bizarnage

Alter egos (Hosts): Johnny Storm
Debut: Spider-Boy #1 (April, 1996)
The monstrous creature called Bizarnage, a synthetic replica of alien DNA created by Project Cadmus, turned out to be a disaster. Sadly, this albino symbiote burst forth from its embryo tube and caused chaos within Project Cadmus before escaping and causing destruction everywhere it went. It wasn’t until Spider-Boy intervened that the destruction stopped. This character hails from an alternate reality and has not been seen in Earth-616.
In this scenario, the lead scientist of Project Cadmus, Reed “Prof” Richards, unknowingly consumed DNA tampered by his adversary, Dabney Donovan, which turned him malevolent. This hidden manipulation resulted in Richards sabotaging Project Cadmus’ Menagerie, causing the emergence of Bizarnage. Bizarnage subsequently seized control over Johnny “Red” Storm’s Challenger and wreaked havoc at the genetic research facilities of Project Cadmus, knocking out their power grid.
Thankfully, Spider-Kid stepped in just in time to shield the researchers of Cadmus from a bloodthirsty, destructive symbiote creature. The conflict between Bizarro and Spider-Kid persisted within the genetic labs of Project Cadmus.
Bizarnage aspired to become Spider-Boy, but reasoned that since only one Spider-Boy could exist, he should eliminate the original superhero and claim his identity instead. Subsequently, Bizarnage eluded Spider-Boy’s web trap and assaulted Cadmus director Tom Harper (previously the WWII hero named Guardian Angel), aiming to usurp his powers to assume control as the head of Cadmus.
Before Bizarnage had the chance to overpower Tom Harper, Spider-Boy enticed him by guaranteeing that he wouldn’t move. Instead, Bizarnage bit onto the bait and departed from Johnny “Red” Storm, heading straight towards Spider-Boy for a collision.
As Bizarnage’s symbiote moved over the ground towards Spider-Boy, the young hero shot a web from his launcher at a switch that opened a door to one of Cadmus’ power storage rooms. Caught off guard, Bizarnage was pulled through the door and sealed inside the power containment cell.
12. Scorn

Alter egos (Hosts): Tanis Nevies
Debut: Carnage #1 (December 2010)
The character named Scorn, whose real name is Tanis Nevies, is a fictional entity originating from Marvel Comics’ comic book series. Tanis Nevies was initially introduced to readers in the “Carnage” #1 issue (December 2010), and the Scorn Symbiote made its debut in the “Carnage” #4 issue (June 2011).
Following an encounter with the Sentry outside Earth’s orbit where Carnage was split in two, it later transpired that the Carnage symbiote had miraculously endured and made its way back to Earth. Michael Hall, Shriek, and their medical assistant, Dr. Tanis Nevies, then sought Shriek’s aid to preserve the life of the symbiote, with the intention of exploiting its unique traits for creating limbs and exosuits that mimicked symbiotic behavior.
Nevies equips a prosthetic arm following an attack by a doppelganger who attempted to rescue Shriek. Near Carnage’s symbiote, her prosthetic arm becomes uncontrollable, leading her to slay numerous scientists before the Carnage symbiote violently attaches itself to her as the new Carnage.
Following Tanis being exploited by the symbiote to gain entry into a Hall Corporation building, it’s uncovered that Cletus Kasady, the host of the Carnage symbiote, is miraculously still alive. The Carnage symbiote had kept him alive, and Hall’s prosthetics had mended his injuries. Kasady then seizes control of the Carnage symbiote and makes a bid for freedom, all while Spider-Man and Iron Man work together to halt Carnage’s escape.
Later on, it’s disclosed that Carnage was expecting another offspring, causing a temporary link between him and Tanis through the symbiotic suit. However, Tanis discards this connection from herself and the symbiotes, leaving Shriek vulnerable. Sensing Shriek’s ill intentions, the symbiotic limb rebinds with Tanis, giving birth to a new hero named Scorn. This hero manages to defeat Shriek and uses Carnage’s sonorous cry against him, weakening him enough for Carnage to escape.
This version maintains the original meaning but aims to simplify and clarify the sequence of events in an easier-to-understand manner.
In “Carnage, U.S.A.” storyline, Carnage overran Doverton, Colorado, forming an alliance with locals and the Avengers squad (originally intending to thwart Carnage). The government then deployed Team Mercury, a newly-formed special task force empowered by symbiotes alongside Agony and Phage. Riot and Lasher united forces with Dr. Tanis Nieves, forming Scorn, in an attempt to counteract Carnage’s reign. However, they found themselves outmatched as Carnage gained control over the entire city.
The upgraded Special Forces units persist in their battle, but Carnage orders his manipulated Avengers to attack them. However, as Spider-Man arrives along with the unharmed townspeople, a tense confrontation unfolds. In tight quarters, combat reaches an intense peak when Agent Venom joins the fray, firing off sonic shells.
As a passionate cinephile, I found myself in a thrilling scene where a construction vehicle was enlisted to ferry us to a device Scorn had been crafting. The revelation unfolded that this contraption was engineered to sever permanently the ties between Carnage and Venom, yet, surprisingly, their host entities remained entwined within.
The symbiotes engaged in an intense battle with both themselves and the Avengers squad. In the heat of the fight, the Venom symbiote reconnected with Flash Thompson, while Scorn managed to apprehend and confine the Carnage symbiote.
In the story titled “Carnage Born“, it comes to light that Scorn has fallen under the influence of a dark force and established a cult centered around Knull. This group then manages to gather the leftover Grendel symbiote of the Creator, along with Kasady’s body that had been affected by poisoning.
After being implanted, Kasady’s fragments strive for dominance. In an attempt to allow Kasady to consume the Carnage residue within her, she submits herself. However, rather than absorbing the remnants, Kasady slays her instead, triggering her Codex to transform back into Carnage. Yet, it should be noted that the authentic Carnage symbiote belongs to Alchemax.
11. Hybrid

Alter egos (Hosts): Scott Washington
Debut: Venom: Along Came A Spider #1 (January 1996)
I hail from the Marvel Universe, and I’m known as Hybrid, an intriguing antihero whose story unfolds in a unique way. My introduction to the world was made in issue #21 of The New Warriors, penned by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Mark Bagley back in March 1992. Interestingly enough, the symbiote that’s closely tied to my character made its initial appearance in side stories within the miniseries Venom: Along Came A Spider (1996), written by Evan Skolnick and brought to life by Patrick Zircher.
Scott Washington, a former guard responsible for safeguarding and moving Justice, was apprehended, tried, and found guilty in Vault for the killing of his own father. The hybrid is an amalgamation of four Life Foundation symbiotes merged into one entity.
After melting, the symbiote tracked down Scott Washington, an African-American guard at the Vault (the prison for villains with superpowers). Recognizing that not every symbiote was malevolent or a danger, he decided to release them, including Venom and Carnage. However, when his superiors discovered that he had set free extraterrestrial beings entrusted to his care, he was terminated from his position.
Originally from Brooklyn, specifically a troubled area controlled by street gangs where he spent his childhood, Scott later found himself in a tragic turn of events. A chaotic incident at a basketball game involving the X-Eazy gang led to the death of his brother Derek, who was shot, and Scott losing mobility. Subsequently, four symbiotes reconnected with Scott, merging with him and restoring his ability to walk once more.
Scott harbors intense rage due to this incident, exhibiting a strong inclination towards aggression which the symbiotes strive to control instead of exacerbate, unlike their typical behavior. Being the host to four distinct symbiotic entities initially, Scott grapples with four separate voices in his consciousness. He avenged X-Eazy, the gang that left him incapacitated, garnering media attention as well as the interest of the Jury unit.
He fell into the hands of those who claimed to be Guardians of Justice, accused of murdering him solely for his symbiote. However, he was later saved by the New Warriors. Scott used to work alongside Curtis Elkins (Sentry) and other members of the Jury in the past.
Justice extended an invitation to join their group to Scott, but he politely declined due to pressing community work he had to attend to at his home neighborhood. Scott Washington was viewed as a promising candidate for the program run by the Initiative. In a chilling turn of events, Eddie Brock hunted down and killed Washington, aiming to eradicate the destructive symbionts from Earth.
In a turn of events, the quartet of symbiotes forming Hybrid managed to endure and, supported by a clandestine military unit hidden beneath, were split up and handed over to the American governmental authorities. Subsequently, this team, which included Venom and Toxin, chose to employ Hybrid against Carnage in the Midwest during the 2012 Carnage, U.S.A. limited series. The separated symbiotes were tasked to four soldiers, each with a distinct mission in capturing Carnage.
Working alongside Scorn, Carnage’s latest limited-series symbiote collaborator, they are dispatched to a town under Carnage’s control with instructions to eliminate their “brother” if required. With Venom and the Avengers offering support, the team manages to apprehend Cletus Cassidy and the Carnage symbiote.
10. Scream

Alternate Identities (Characters): Donna Diego, Patricia Robertson, Andi Benton
First Appearance: Issue #4 of “Venom: Lethal Protector” (May 1993)
Donna Diego, also known as Scream, is a malevolent character from the Marvel Comics fictional world. Crafted by writer David Michelinie and artist Ron Lim, she made her debut in the “Venom: Lethal Protector” comic book issue in May 1993. She’s one of the six symbiote offspring of the Venom character.
998, a symbiote originating from Venom’s eggs and part of the Life Foundation’s five symbiotes, served as their leader. Similar to her fellow hosts, she chose to work with the Life Foundation, a U.S. government-affiliated scientific group. Their primary objectives were to mitigate the aftermath of a potential nuclear war and ensure a lavish lifestyle for their well-heeled patrons once the predicted atomic catastrophe occurred.
The Foundation was testing the Venom symbiote with the goal of producing “super law enforcers” who would guard their supposed survival bunker. However, Donna was seized against her will by the security force, which consisted of police officers, military personnel, and mercenaries. During Scream’s initial public demonstration, she clashed with Spider-Man as she terrorized a shopping mall in Salinas, California. Overpowered by the more seasoned fighter, Scream fled back to the Life Foundation headquarters in a hovercraft.
In a turn of events, Spider-Man assisted Eddie Brock, who was being detained, in making his escape. Later, both Spider-Man and Venom subdued Scream and her host. It’s worth noting that Venom had acquired a rapid aging gadget which he used to eliminate Scream and her offspring. Following the destruction of the Life Foundation headquarters by their combined efforts, they managed to flee safely.
After constructing a new base, The Life Foundation activated a device designed to rejuvenate the Symbiotes, aiming to reverse the process. Scream subsequently gathered the others and transported them to New York City in pursuit of Venom, as they believed he could teach them to manage their symbiotes better. However, Venom rejected their offer and engaged in combat with Scream. After this, Venom escaped, prompting Scream to seek assistance from Scarlet Spider to locate him.
1. When he declined, Scream suffered a psychotic collapse and launched a violent rampage in Times Square. Embarrassed by Venom (who ripped off parts of his symbiote) and miraculously rescued by Scarlet Spider just in time, Scream vanished. Disheartened, Scream, together with her kin, liberated the powerless Eddie Brock, abducted him, and imprisoned him in a Chicago warehouse.
2. After he rejected, Scream succumbed to psychosis and ignited a frenzy of violence in Times Square. Shamed by Venom (who ripped away parts of his symbiote) and salvaged at the brink by Scarlet Spider, Scream disappeared. Despondent, Scream, along with her brethren, liberated the powerless Eddie Brock, kidnapped him, and detained him in a Chicago warehouse.
3. Upon being denied, Scream suffered a psychotic episode and instigated a violent outburst in Times Square. Mortified by Venom (who tore off pieces of his symbiote) and rescued at the last second by Scarlet Spider, Scream vanished. Dejected, Scream, along with her siblings, freed the powerless Eddie Brock, snatched him, and confined him in a Chicago warehouse.
4. When he was turned down, Scream suffered a psychotic breakdown and initiated a violent outburst in Times Square. Disgraced by Venom (who tore off pieces of his symbiote) and saved from the jaws of death by Scarlet Spider, Scream disappeared. Crushed, Scream, together with her kin, liberated the powerless Eddie Brock, kidnapped him, and incarcerated him in a Chicago warehouse.
5. After being refused, Scream underwent a psychotic break and instigated a violent rampage in Times Square. Disgraced by Venom (who tore off parts of his symbiote) and miraculously saved by Scarlet Spider at the last moment, Scream vanished. Dismayed, Scream, along with her brethren, freed the powerless Eddie Brock, abducted him, and detained him in a Chicago warehouse.
On another occasion, she pleaded with him for guidance on interacting with the symbiotes. Once more, Eddie declined and attempted to eliminate them all, despite lacking his symbiote’s support. Eddie managed to flee, and shortly thereafter, the Life Foundation’s symbiotes were systematically murdered. The cries they heard suggested that Eddie Brock was responsible for the killings, but it was actually she who committed the murders.
She arrived at the belief that every symbiote is harmful, and those who associate with them should meet their end. It turned out that she was mentally unstable, having suffered from hallucinations even prior to hosting her “other,” suggesting a possible schizophrenic condition. Eddie successfully rekindled his connection with the Venom symbiote just as Scream attempted to take his life.
Despite his inability to prevent Scream from slaying each host of the symbiotes, Venom managed to defeat her once more in a fight. Consequently, Scream was handed over to law enforcement officials. Following the invasion of Earth by symbiotes in the “Planet of the Symbiotes” storyline, Donna transformed into one of the Earth-bound symbiotes herself. In an attempt to make amends for her past misdeeds, she focused on locating and assisting any remaining symbiotes that were still alive.
As a dedicated fan, I found myself chasing after Xenophage, a colossal alien entity with an insatiable appetite for symbiotes and the brains of their hosts, following the mysterious deaths of my companions. With Venom at my side, I managed to slay the beast, but paid a heavy price as I was left severely wounded. Upon recovery, Scream became my focus, leading me on a quest to uncover the concealed Xenophage spaceship with the intention of joining him in hunting down every remaining Symbiote.
The vessel transporting her, along with Venom and Wolverine, was heading towards another dimension. In that dimension, Scream had been nearly slain by mutants named Dirtnap and Chimera. After managing to return safely to Earth, she vanished, most likely to continue her hunt for some additional symbiotes. Later, while probing the murder of Scott Washington/Hybrid, she met her end when confronting Eddie Brock.
In the assault on Earth led by Knull and his symbiote forces, she annihilates Agony, Lasher, Phage, and Riot who were harassing a young child. Following this encounter, she engages in combat with Demagoblin before taking on Knull personally.
9. Toxin

Alter egos (Hosts): Patrick Mulligan, Eddie Brock, and others
Debut: Venom/Carnage #2 (October 2004)
As a dedicated comics enthusiast, I’d like to share some insights about a captivating character that has left quite an impression on me – Toxin. This antihero, often seen as a supervillain, graces the pages of Marvel Comics tales. The brilliant minds behind this fictional creation are writer Peter Milligan and artist Clayton Crain. You can find him making his debut in the opening act of the comic book miniseries titled “Venom vs. Carnage“, which was published in September 2004. Later, he starred in a mini-series consisting of six enthralling episodes.
In the Marvel Universe, Toxin is the third major Symbiote to make an appearance, the ninth overall outside of the “Symbiote Saga on Planet of the Symbiotes,” and uniquely, the only one that Spider-Man regards as an ally, even though he has had temporary alliances with Venom. The original host of the Toxin symbiote was former NYPD officer Patrick Mulligan before it later bonded with Eddie Brock (Venom) as its second host following the demise of Patrick Mulligan.
In simpler terms, let’s say Toxin is an extraterrestrial organism similar to Venom and Carnage. Unlike regular creatures, symbiotes like these reproduce without sexual intercourse, and each individual can only produce one offspring. Toxin happens to be the thousandth symbiote of his generation, with Venom being the 998th and Carnage the 999th. This means that both Venom and Carnage have had their own symbiote offspring before. Now, even before the birth, Carnage feels a sense of disgust towards the upcoming symbiote, partly because he fears it might surpass his power, and partly because he dislikes the concept of being pregnant, which is unusual for a male entity like Carnage.
Thus, he decided to spare his descendants at birth. On the other hand, Venom, swiftly grasping the information, opted to safeguard the new symbiote, with aspirations to mentor him and form a partnership. Moreover, he was concerned about the potential for Toxin, being the 1000th symbiote of their generation, developing psychosis.
As a movie critic, I must confess that my efforts to halt the emergence of a new symbiote, dubbed “Toxin,” were in vain – Venom’s nemesis, Carnage, had already given birth to this menacing creature. Finding Toxin too feeble to eliminate him outright, I decided to conceal him within the first hapless host that crossed my path, biding my time until he gained enough strength to exact his revenge on Venom. It’s important to note that even freshly born, Toxin was still unable to form a suit like his more established counterparts, Carnage and Venom.
By an unusual twist of fate, it was none other than Patrick Mulligan, a police officer, husband, and future father, who happened upon the scene first. The villain Carnage injected Toxin into him, intending to finish him off once he had regained strength. However, Venom intervened, giving Mulligan an opportunity to flee.
Initially, Mulligan found himself puzzled about what had transpired with him, until the symbiote matured enough to become self-aware and create a costume. However, Carnage’s attacks on his wife Gina and son Edward soon made it clear that the symbiote he was harboring posed a threat to his family. Eventually, Mulligan faced off against Carnage, emerged victorious, yet struggled to end his life.
In a turn of events, Venom understood that Mulligan would stand against him, eventually joining forces with Carnage in an attempt to control Toxin and its host. However, with Spider-Man and the Black Cat by his side, Mulligan successfully overpowered them. Yet, concerned about his capacity to tame the symbiote’s violent impulses, he decided to separate from his wife and newborn baby for their safety, opting to leave the police force.
8. Carnage

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got quite a cast of alter egos that I’m fond of, including Cletus Kasady, Ben Reilly, Norman Osborn, Norrin Radd, and Normie Osborn, among others. These characters first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man issue 359, back in February 1992.
Cletus Kasady, known in the Marvel Comics world as Carnage, is a notorious supervillain. Debuted by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley, this fictional character made his first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #361 comic book back in April 1992. Like Venom, Carnage is part of the symbiote family, but he stands out as a more chaotic and bloodthirsty counterpart due to his red color. Unlike Venom who has some moral compass, refusing to harm the innocent, Carnage’s sole purpose seems to be indiscriminate killing.
Initially, Cletus Kasady is a ruthless murderer with more than a dozen victims to his name, despite not yet reaching the age of twenty. At just six years old, he carried out his first murder by shoving his grandmother down the stairs in an attempt to discover if humans could fly.
Later on, he abused his mother’s pet dog. Enraged, the dog’s owner subsequently attacked him, resulting in her tragic demise at the hands of her husband. Consequently, he was given a death sentence. Following this, Cletus ended up in an orphanage, where he suffered mistreatment not only from the children but also the caretakers. In retaliation, he eventually took revenge by killing the headmaster and setting fire to the orphanage.
He hurt his mother’s dog, which made the owner angry and caused her death. She was then killed by her husband. He got a death sentence for this act. Later, he went to an orphanage where both children and caretakers mistreated him. In response, he murdered the headmaster and burned down the orphanage.
In prison, he found himself rooming with Eddie Brock, better known as Venom. Their bond was strained at best, given that Kasady represented everything Brock detested. While incarcerated, the symbiote attached itself to Brock once more, refusing him and reemerging as Venom, enabling his escape.
As I slithered away, the Venom symbiote surprised me by giving birth to a “progeny” (since it reproduces asexually), which stayed behind and intertwined with Kasady’s circulatory system. This unique fusion resulted in the emergence of a new character, creating the monstrous duo known as Carnage.
Descended from Venom, Carnage – known for his brutal and sadistic tendencies – has already claimed the lives of numerous innocent victims as a form of amusement. Initially, Spider-Man suspected that Venom had made a return when investigating these murders. However, upon encountering Carnage, he was overpowered in their battle and was forced to retreat.
Venom agreed to aid Spider-Man in finding and defeating Carnage, while Spider-Man promised to leave Venom undisturbed. With their complex relationship in mind, these two uneasy allies embarked on a mission to capture Carnage, who had abducted J. Jonah Jameson.
In a turn of events, Spider-Man successfully dislodged the symbiotes from Carnage and Venom using a powerful sonic cannon. This left Kasady unconscious, while Venom engaged in a battle with our friendly neighborhood hero. Over time, Venom and Carnage have frequently clashed in numerous confrontations, occasionally coming together for brief periods. In a recent instance, they momentarily united to eliminate Carnage’s offspring, Toxin.
In the chaos of a prison break orchestrated by Electro, numerous villains managed to flee and confront several superheroes on the scene. During this fierce battle, Sentry, along with Carnage, soared into space where they wreaked havoc, causing destruction. It is speculated that the symbiote perished during this incident, though history has shown us that it would eventually resurface again later on.
7. Venom
Alternate identities or hosts: Eddie Brock, Mac Gargan, Flash Thompson, Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Lee Price, Angelo Fortunato, and others
First appearance: Issue #252 of The Amazing Spider-Man (May 1984)
Venom represents an antihero, who frequently appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. This fictional character was developed by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, debuting in the #252 issue of The Amazing Spider-Man comic book back in May 1984. Commonly linked with the Spider-Man persona, Venom is a sentient alien symbiote that can change its shape, resembling a liquid form. It thrives by attaching itself to a host, typically human.
In reality, this character emerged well before he transformed into Venom. Originally, he manifested as Symbiote #998. Unlike most symbiotes, he didn’t desire to kill his host for sustenance but sought a genuine fusion with a single host, creating one unified entity through symbiosis rather than parasitism. This unique goal led to his imprisonment by his own kind. Eventually, he was transported to an artificial planet known as Battleworld. Initially bonding with Spider-Man, the hero eventually became aware of Venom’s intention for a permanent fusion. Consequently, he successfully severed the symbiotic connection.
Initially, Eddie Brock – who later became known as one of the symbiote’s initial hosts – worked as a journalist at the Daily Globe newspaper. However, it was uncovered that he had invented a story about the Sin-Eater’s true identity, which turned out to be Sergeant Stan Carter. After Spider-Man and Daredevil captured the real serial killer, Brock was dismissed from his job due to his fabricated article.
Due to a lack of decent job offers, Eddie is compelled to work at publications known for their questionable standing. Confronted by his increasing cancer worries, Eddie rekindles his love for sports, taking up weightlifting as a means to manage stress. As he develops a physique reminiscent of an Olympic athlete, his anger and depression persist, ultimately causing his wife Anna to leave him.
Stricken by the realization that both his work and personal life are in shambles, Brock considers ending his life, but instead goes to Church of Our Lady of Saints seeking forgiveness. However, it is not prayer that saves him, but a symbiote that attaches itself to him, consuming his cancer and thus prolonging his time on earth. Eddie Brock willingly welcomes this symbiote into himself.
In this union, Brock learns the real persona behind Spider-Man without delay. Specifically, in The Amazing Spider-Man comic book #298, this alliance gives birth to Venom. This entity debuts at the conclusion of issue #299, marking the beginning of the “Venom” storyline that extends into subsequent issues.
Initially, the term “Venom” referred specifically to the combination of the symbiote and Brock. However, as time passed, this name came to be associated with various incarnations of the symbiote as well.
On numerous occasions, Brock engages in battles with Spider-Man and usually emerges victorious. Adhering to his own moral compass, he intervenes to protect those he deems innocent, such as Carnage. Notably, Spider-Man has shown him a degree of respect that none of the Venoms loyal to Brock can claim.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Brock parted ways with the Symbiote and sold it off. Later, Mister Negative healed his cancer, and Brock formed bonds with two additional symbiotes, transforming into Anti-Venom and then Toxin. A few years down the line, Brock reconnected with the original symbiote in “Venom” (vol. 3) #6, resuming his role as Venom. However, he chose to maintain a straight path from then on.
In the course of my film-critiquing journey, I’ve had the pleasure of delving into the intricate lives of some fascinating characters – Angelo Fortunato, Mac Gargan, and Flash Thompson, to name a few.
6. Anti-Venom

Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, among others
First Appearance: The Incredible Spiderman #569 (October 2008)
The character Anti-Venom was introduced in Marvel Comics in 2008, making his debut in the Spider-Man storyline known as “New Ways to Die.” When Eddie Brock was gravely ill with cancer, he discarded the alien suit that had been causing him to become Venom and sold it. Later, after being touched by philanthropist Martin Li (the villain Mr. Negative), Eddie was miraculously cured of his illness. However, when the alien costume attempted to bond with him again, his skin reacted by covering itself in a white substance made of human-alien antibodies, transforming him into Anti-Venom. This unique being’s sole mission is to eliminate Venom and cancer from the world.
After being bitten by the radioactive spider that granted him powers, Spiderman found himself in need of healing. In a questionable move, he took a piece of the spider within him. From then on, if Spiderman gets too close to this fragment, his abilities disappear. During a chase after an alien symbiote, Eddie encountered Radioactive Man and Songbird who tried to contain it using heat and sound waves. Later, he engaged in a fight with Radioactive Man, fearing that his own radiation could cause cancer. In the end, Eddie was defeated by this encounter, and before Brock could kill him, Songbird took him away.
During a fight with the symbiote, Eddie loses his powers when he’s exposed to a poison created by Norman Osborn, thanks to Freak. This poison was specifically designed to counteract Anti-Venom, which Venom (wearing Scorpio armor) had injected into Eddie earlier. However, when Gargan attempts to suppress the Anti-Venom, the symbiote intervenes, as it doesn’t wish to harm its previous host and instead aims to heal Mac Gargan.
After breaking free, Brock settles back in his city’s suburbs, dedicating himself entirely to finding a cancer cure. Meanwhile, Eddie embarks on a new journey, aiming to combat crime and aid the sick. In a bid to rescue his drug-dependent companion, he encounters the Punisher, joining forces to eliminate criminal elements. Regrettably, Jenna, Eddie’s friend, is kidnapped; Frank and Anti-Venom attempt her rescue, but when Castle realizes that Eddie, his former adversary, has become an ally of hers, he wounds him severely in the head.
As soon as Frank hears Jenna being called “toxic” by Venom, bullets spray from Venom’s body and he charges at the Punisher. He manages to push the Punisher aside, but just as he gets close, Frank remembers slamming a shield into the back of an opponent’s head, causing him to hesitate momentarily before attacking again.
Simultaneously, the Mexican gang kidnaps Jenna and their leader antagonizes the heroes. After a disagreement and a physical altercation, they resolve to follow Henry, Frank’s partner, to the hideout of the criminals, with a dual intention: rescuing Jenna and eliminating all the criminals, including Anti-Venom, in the process.
As Frank travels, he plans to reveal his identity by removing his mask for customs, at which point he intends to try to eliminate his accomplice or adversary. Upon arrival, the Punisher sets free Anti-Venom into the facility, where he becomes enraged and confronts members of a Mexican gang. The gang’s leader informs him over the phone that Jenna has been drugged, causing Anti-Venom to feel that his guardian angel is under the influence again. In response, Anti-Venom unleashes his dark side by indiscriminately slaughtering anyone in sight and then returns to the Punisher, who readies himself for combat by arming himself with suitable weapons.
In the meantime, the Quintas are preparing for a defensive stand. When the assault commences, our two heroes gain an initial advantage against their numerous adversaries. Despite the Punisher getting injured due to a misjudgment, they manage to emerge almost unharmed. They subsequently rescue the girls who were enslaved, including Jenna, and as a final act of cruelty, Anti-Venom slays the leader of the Quintas, vowing to alter things tomorrow.
This version maintains the original’s meaning while using clearer, more natural language for easier reading.
In a brief instant, it appears as though The Punisher contemplates shooting Eddie once more, but subsequently claims that his rifle was out of ammunition, thus creating uncertainty about whether he views him as a criminal or a champion. During the Spider-Island incident, Anti-Venom employs its antibodies to enable Reed Richards to develop an antidote for the spider virus. This act will result in his loss of powers and cement his status as a hero.
5. Red Goblin

Alter egos (Hosts): Norman Osborn
Debut: Amazing Spider-Man #798 (June 2018)
Norman Osborn enlisted two thugs to grab hold of the Carnage symbiote. These hired guns successfully snatched the symbiote, and Osborn swiftly formed an alliance with it, transforming into the new Carnage. At first, the symbiote showed its superiority, but Osborn introduced Carnage to the thrills of torment and slaughter. Intrigued by these experiences, Osborn resolved to blend the goblin serum with the symbiote, aiming to create a goblin-symbiote hybrid.
Following Norman Osborn’s consumption of the Goblin Serum, he abducted J Jonah Jameson and embarked on a mission to track down Spider-Man. Osborn purloined some pilfered tritium, set it up for detonation in a satchel, and invaded the Daily Bugle’s headquarters under the guise of the Green Goblin, demanding that Peter Parker bring Spider-Man. When Spider-Man eventually appeared on the scene, a brawl ensued between him and the Green Goblin just as the Bugle’s employees were being evacuated.
Observing from afar as Spider-Man secured a bomb with a strap, Osborn was subsequently engulfed by an ensuing blast; pinned to a beam and surrounded by shards of broken glass, Osborn feigned death, unveiling his knowledge of Spider-Man’s true identity concealed behind the mask. As it turned out, Osborn had fused with the Carnage symbiote, metamorphosing into a grotesque form he christened the Red Goblin, instilling terror in Spider-Man and forcing him to retreat in terror.
Osborn rendered Peter powerless and presented him with a tough decision: abandon his role as Spider-Man to live peacefully, or witness the agonizing death of each of his dear ones by Red Goblin’s hand, one at a time. When Spider-Man consented to the deal, Red Goblin exulted and departed, oblivious to Peter’s plan to carry on fighting as Peter Parker instead.
Contrary to Peter’s concerns that Norman could attack his loved ones, it was actually Norman’s own family who became the Red Goblin’s next victims. The Red Goblin, however, proved too powerful for Human Torch, Clash, Silk, and Spider-Man when they combined forces against him. Enhanced by the Goblin Formula, the Carnage Symbiote made the Red Goblin invulnerable to their attacks, allowing him to swiftly defeat all four in a short span of time.
In short order, Anti-Venom arrived on the scene, and his symbiotic abilities left Osborn taken aback. However, the situation shifted when Anti-Venom was compelled to confront a tough decision: either defeat Osborn or save his critically injured comrades. Opting for the latter, the Anti-Venom agent acted swiftly and managed to save some of his friends, but paid dearly as the Red Goblin retaliated by knocking him down during the rescue attempt, leaving the last of his companions unscathed.
After finding his family amidst the chaos and managing an escape, the Crimson Goblin disclosed that his ultimate goal was his grandson Normie Osborn, whom he later contaminated with a fragment of the Carnage symbiote. The Crimson Goblin’s following mission led him to Alchemax to obliterate the artificial Anti-Venom kept there. In an attempt to lure Spider-Man, he sent his grandson, now known as Goblin Childe, to attack Aunt May. Subsequently, the Crimson Goblin moved on to Stark Tower with the intention of slaying Mary Jane Watson.
Meanwhile, Venom was dispatched by Jameson to protect the Red Goblin, but he ended up attacking instead. Spider-Man attempted to intervene, yet the Red Goblin successfully fended off his attacks and fled to aid Normie. Upon arriving, the Red Goblin found Normie engaged in combat with Superior Octopus, who swore to safeguard May at any cost. Despite Jameson’s Spider-Slayer joining the fight, the Red Goblin inflicted severe injuries on Octavius and disabled the Spider-Slayer before making off with Normie.
Later, Norman and his grandson faced off against Liz and Harry from Alchemax, demanding they hand over control to Normie. However, Liz and Harry responded aggressively, summoning an army of Humanitrons. In the ensuing battle, Harry used a vintage Goblin Glider and pumpkin bombs against his father, ultimately causing the Red Goblin to be impaled by the same glider. Enraged, he pursued Spider-Man through the city streets.
Despite his plans, Agent Anti-Venom foiled him by disabling the needles and shielding Osborn’s victim. This infuriated the Red Goblin, who mercilessly attacked and shocked the weakened Flash Thompson. In retaliation, a furious Venomous Spider-Man confronted Osborn and even passed through a building, but Flash ultimately succumbed to his wounds and perished.
In this version, I tried to maintain the same meaning while using simpler language and a more conversational tone.
After colliding into Times Square, Norman concluded that the most effective route to reach Spider-Man was by indiscriminately killing people and launching Carnage bombs in every direction. With the city’s chaos distracting Spider-Man and his efforts to safeguard civilians, the Red Goblin seized him and began to choke him mercilessly. Nevertheless, Spider-Man declared that any blame for his demise would solely be attributed to the Carnage symbiote, aiming to strike at Norman’s massive pride.
As a movie enthusiast, let me recount the events from my perspective: Initially, the Red Goblin arrogantly discarded the symbiote, claiming that he alone was sufficient to defeat Spider-Man. However, this Spider-Man, who had spurned the Venom symbiote before, found common ground with the Green Goblin and ultimately emerged victorious in their confrontation. Yet, when Norman Osborn desperately sought to rejoin forces with Carnage’s symbiote, Spider-Man intervened, setting Norman ablaze and unleashing a mental backlash that obliterated Norman’s consciousness, effectively filling the void in Cletus Kasady’s psyche.
In a later encounter, Spider-Man questioned Norman Osborn, who, due to brain damage, claimed to believe that Spider-Man was actually Norman Osborn himself, while he identified as Cletus Kasady.
4. Grendel

Alter egos (Hosts): Various
Debut: Supernatural Thrillers #3 (April 1973)
Aeons past, a Symbiote Dragon named Grendel was born by Knüll through a Crimson Symbiote Dragon that emerged from Knul’s blood. This powerful duo was sent out into the universe, wreaking havoc for billions of years. They rampaged through galaxies, annihilating the deities and their pantheons, causing mass madness among various civilizations, and ultimately consuming them.
In the 6th century A.D., two dragons that lived harmoniously arrived on Earth and constructed a cave hidden behind a waterfall in Denmark. They initiated a brutal conquest aiming to dominate the world, leveling cities indiscriminately, consuming all living creatures and humans they met with insatiable appetite.
After their landing on earth, a cult of cannibals emerged and worshipped the symbiotic dragons, constructing grotesque statues in their honor. Mistakenly identified as the monstrous dark elf named Grendel, the black symbiote dragon under Knull’s control commenced an attack on Heorot Hall.
In the tale similar to Beowulf’s dragon-slaying legend, Thor Odinson, the Asgardian thunder god, was assaulted by Grendel who aimed to kill him. However, instead of meeting his demise, Grendel was struck by Thor’s divine lightning and entombed within a glacier for hundreds of years.
Artifacts from ancient times depicting this battle were crafted by the symbiont cult. These carvings reveal that fragments of Grendel’s sinister abyss fell to Earth following his defeat, linking with human beings. This connection allowed the cult to learn about Knull and the symbiotes.
1965 saw the uncovering by S.H.I.E.L.D. of Grendel’s frozen corpse. They excavated it and retrieved samples from its mysterious depths for further analysis. Following this discovery, S.H.I.E.L.D., under the orders of the U.S. government, initiated the Sym Soldier project – a super soldier program led by Nick Fury – with the aim of producing a successor to Captain America.
Initially, S.H.I.E.L.D. sought to eliminate Grendel, the dragon symbiote, by inflicting intense torment upon him. Yet, their attempts proved fruitless and instead stirred up destructive repercussions in Vietnam. Afterward, they eliminated its offshoots, declaring the Sym-Soldier program a failure and ending it. Grendel was then kept imprisoned at a remote S.H.I.E.L.D. facility.
3. Zzzxx

Alter egos (Hosts): Raza Longknife, Charles Xavier
Debut: X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (March, 2009)
In time, the entity known as Zzxz, earlier called Zzxxx, emerged as an extraordinary symbiotic mutation that the Shi’ar race managed to secure for their own purposes. The Shi’ar Emperor D’Ken took notice of this symbiote but didn’t have the opportunity to examine it extensively because he was fatally struck down by the Vulcans prior to his investigation.
Known as one of the top five most feared criminals apprehended by the Shi’ar Empire, Zzxxx was selected by the Vulcans for their newly established Imperial Guard, and was mysteriously linked to an unidentified Shi’ar soldier, whose true identity remains unknown.
During a skirmish with the Starjammers, Zzxxx briefly crossed paths with Lilandra Neramani, trying to establish a connection but was repelled. In another clash against the Starjammers, unfortunately, Zzxxx’s host perished, and the symbiote then bonded with Raza Longknife.
On Kree-Lar, Nova Prime seized all Praetorians and detained them on Nu-Xandar for committing war crimes against their Nova Corps prisoners. Simultaneously, Richard sought assistance from the remaining Nova Corps members and the Worldmind supercomputer to find a means to part Zzxxx from Raza without causing her harm.
After Ego managed to regain self-control, Zzxz and Raza were moved to Zan Philo’s Resolute Duty corp ship. Zzxxx was successfully separated from Raza and subsequently initiated a rebellion against the corrupt Charles Xavier of the Cancerverse during combat. Given that this Xavier was essentially a massive brain, the symbiote immediately began consuming him. At that point in time, its final outcome remained uncertain.
2. Knull

Alter egos (Hosts): None
Debut: Venom #3 (August 2018)
In the Marvel fictional universe, Knull is a wicked supervillain often linked with Venom and Carnage. Depicted as an evil deity, he crafted the infamous All-Black the Necrosword and the races of Klyntar and Exolons. Over time, his influence expanded significantly within the Marvel Universe.
In simpler terms, Knull is an ancient god who surfaced after the collapse of the sixth universe. Initially, he was content to float aimlessly through the infinite void until powerful beings known as the Celestials appeared and started creating a new Marvel Universe. Stirred by their “Creation Light” and enraged by the theft of his realm of darkness, Knull responded by crafting All-Black the Necrosword and slaying one of the Celestials.
After observing this, the other celestial beings exiled Knull and his decapitated form further into the void. It was from this severed head that he crafted the symbiote, merging it with the cosmic energies of the head. In this process, he inadvertently instilled the symbiotes’ vulnerabilities to sonic waves and fire.
In my humble opinion as a film aficionado, this narrative revolves around a character who crafted a symbiotic armor, teaming up with All-Black to eliminate other divine beings. This bloodthirsty spree came to an abrupt halt when he crash-landed on an undisclosed planet, where Gorr managed to seize All-Black from the comatose Knull.
As days turned into weeks, Knull regained consciousness and discovered a chilling ability: he could merge his boundless abyss with weaker beings, effectively controlling their new symbiotic forms as vessels. This power allowed him to create an army of Symbiotes, positioning himself at the heart of the Hive Spirit. With this formidable force behind him, Knull embarked on a cosmic conquest, spreading his influence across the universe, and ultimately annihilating Light and Creation in a brutal campaign.
He went on to slay deities and capture individuals he chose to spare, utilizing his abyss as means. In a specific instance, he encountered the time-displaced Silver Surfer, who had been weakened following the creation of a miniature star to liberate a world from Knull’s dominion. After a short battle, Knull succeeded in attaching a symbiote to the Surfer; however, the Surfer was eventually rescued by Ego, the Living Planet.
1. When Knull confronted the Surfer, he tried to overpower him and infect him again with his abyssal powers. However, the Surfer, who had amassed cosmic energy, countered with a star potent enough to vanquish Knull.
2. On Earth during medieval times, a dragon-like symbiote sought to annex the planet for the symbiotes’ hive. Thor stepped in to protect the Viking settlement and vanquished the dragon they called “Grendel”, thereby severing the link between Knull and the symbiote hive.
Symbiotic beings, once liberated from the grip of Knull, started forming alliances with kind-hearted hosts and unearthed the Divine Light. These symbiotes defied their deity and imprisoned it within a planet composed of countless symbiotes, which they referred to as Klyntar, meaning “cage” in their language.
In a time spanning millennia, S.H.I.E.L.D. unearthed the remains of Grendel, and subsequently connected fragments of this mythical creature with human soldiers for the purpose of developing super-soldiers to battle in the Vietnam War. This process was known as Sym-Soldier. This action inadvertently awakened Knull, giving him dominion over these enhanced warriors who were later corrupted and captured by Nick Fury and Wolverine. However, one soldier, named Rex, managed to break free from Knull’s grasp.
In the passage of time, Eddie Brock, also known as Venom, unwittingly releases a dragon. Following a confrontation involving Eddie and Spider-Man, the dragon embarks on a journey to locate Rex, aiming to free Knull. Unfortunately, Venom combines with Rex, leading to the entrapment of the Grendel within a blast furnace. This confinement resulted in both the Grendel and Rex being burned alive.
1. In the story Carnage Born, following Scorn’s entrance into a Knull-worshipping cult, they manage to grab both the Grendel Codex and the lifeless form of Cletus. By inserting the codex within Cletus, the Carnage symbiote codex merges with Grendel, transforming him into a divine being.
2. In Carnage Born, Scorn, after joining a cult that honors Knull, steals both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ corpse. Once they implant the codex within Cletus, it combines with the Carnage symbiote codex, which then gets absorbed by Grendel, turning him into a god-like entity.
3. In Carnage Born, as Scorn becomes part of a cult devoted to Knull, they seize both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ remains. Once the codex is inserted within Cletus, it unites with the Carnage symbiote codex and is subsequently absorbed by Grendel, making him a deity.
4. As Scorn joins a cult that reveres Knull in Carnage Born, they take both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ body. By inserting the codex inside Cletus, it fuses with the Carnage symbiote codex, which later merges with Grendel, resulting in him becoming a god.
5. In Carnage Born, Scorn, who has joined a cult that adores Knull, steals both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ corpse. After placing the codex within Cletus, it blends with the Carnage symbiote codex and eventually unites with Grendel, turning him into a god-like entity.
6. In Carnage Born, Scorn, after entering a cult that reveres Knull, snatches both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ remains. Upon inserting the codex within Cletus, it combines with the Carnage symbiote codex, which later gets absorbed by Grendel, transforming him into a deity.
7. In Carnage Born, Scorn joins a cult that honors Knull and manages to acquire both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ body. By embedding the codex within Cletus, it unites with the Carnage symbiote codex, which then merges with Grendel, making him a god-like figure.
8. In Carnage Born, Scorn, after becoming part of a cult that adores Knull, steals both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ corpse. Once they place the codex inside Cletus, it fuses with the Carnage symbiote codex, which later becomes one with Grendel, resulting in him gaining divinity.
9. In Carnage Born, Scorn joins a cult that reveres Knull and obtains both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ body. By placing the codex within Cletus, it merges with the Carnage symbiote codex, which later unites with Grendel, turning him into a god-like figure.
10. In Carnage Born, after Scorn joins a cult that honors Knull, they steal both the Grendel Codex and Cletus’ corpse. By inserting the codex within Cletus, it combines with the Carnage symbiote codex, which later merges with Grendel, transforming him into a deity.
Following his encounter with Knull, Cletus determines it’s necessary to liberate Knull. To achieve this, he plans to gather all the manuscripts, or codices, from every host who has ever bonded with symbiotes. His aim is to overpower the collective consciousness of the symbiotes and scatter the Klyntar.
After rejoining Doppelganger and Shriek, they revive the cult devoted to Knull and head back to Doverton, Colorado. There, they secure the codices from the citizens and animals who were tainted by Carnage during the “Carnage, U.S.A.” incident.
1. All-Black

Alter egos (Hosts): Various
Debut: Thor: God of Thunder #2 (January 2013)
Originally known as Necrosword, All-Black was the first symbiote forged from the shadow of the malevolent deity Knüll and tempered with the sacred power of a vanquished celestial being’s head. Taking the form of a living darkness sword, it responds to profoundly negative feelings, frequently inciting its wielder to perpetrate divine crimes.
Once Knull’s All-Black was taken away, the extraterrestrial Gorr succumbed to the malevolent symbiote, picking up where Knull left off in his campaign of “slaughtering deities.” This transformation led to Gorr being known as the God Butcher. Unfortunately, Gorr’s scheme to eliminate every god across the cosmos was unsuccessful, resulting in a final confrontation between him and Thor Odinson (also known as Thor), Thor, and King Thor. In the end, they defeated Gorr and hurled the All-Black Necrosword into a black hole.
In the “King Thor” sequence of events, King Thor employs the object to prevent Galactus from devouring Earth. However, the All-Black links with an ailing Galactus, transforming him into Galactus the World Butcher – a malevolent symbiote hell-bent on destruction. When Ego the Living Planet appears, the All-Black moves to Ego and metamorphoses him into Ego the Necroplanet, who subsequently consumes Galactus.
In this timeline, it’s Loki in disguise as a worm who ultimately destroys the ego. He wields the All-Black Necrosword, transforming himself into Loki, the Merciless Slayer.
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