The hulking symbiote known as Venom has a brand new look, as Marvel transforms the antihero in a totally unexpected way. In a tribute to Spider-Man, Venom’s bold redesign is his most colorful yet, but it also has an important purpose in the Marvel Universe.
Venom Debuts New Color Scheme Inspired by Spider-Man
In today’s Venom #251 – from Al Ewing, Paco Medina, Frank D’Armata and Clayton Cowles – Venom debuts an awesome new red and blue design. The makeover is a deliberate reference to Spider-Man, with Venom shifting his colors to mimic Peter Parker’s iconic costume.
The change is a shoutout to Venom’s initial debut into the Marvel Universe as a living costume for Spider-Man. Now, more than 40 years later, the tables have finally turned. However, the change isn’t just a fashion statement – it’s a way of staying alive.
Venom’s New Design Has a Very Specific Purpose
In the issue, Venom attempts to save Rick Jones’ Toxin from Doctor Octopus’ anti-symbiote soldiers. However, with the city violently fearful of the alien species, it’s reluctant to join the fight, believing it will only bring more enemies to the brawl. After consulting with its current host MJ Watson, Venom restyles itself after the most heroic person the two characters know – Peter Parker’s Spider-Man.
It’s a fun idea to make this Spider-Man homage a conscious decision, with Venom hoping that New York will reserve judgment if it turns up sporting the colors of the city’s friendly neighborhood hero. The costume will return next issue, while an alt-universe variant character will seemingly sport the same look in the upcoming Battleworld #3, from Christos Gage and Marcus To.
Our Take on Venom’s New Look
Since the character had a name, Venom has had a major grudge against Spider-Man. Even when he became an official hero as ‘the Lethal Protector’ of the innocent, Venom still had a loophole where he was willing to kill Spider-Man on sight. It’s a major signal of how far their relationship has come over the last two decades that Venom even considers Spider-Man heroic, let alone being willing to adopt his color scheme.
MJ Watson and Venom’s relationship has been a fascinating aspect of Venom’s new era, with Mary Jane seeing the symbiote as a fundamentally negative force that has terrorized her in the past. However – trapped together because of a lethal injury – the two are beginning to find common ground, with the Spider-Man look showing that whatever their history, both care deeply about Peter Parker and respect him as Spider-Man.
It’s a rarity to see Venom in such a colorful form, but Marvel has perfectly tied it into the plight of symbiotes. At the same time, Doctor Octopus – who was once Spider-Man himself – has taken the transformation as a personal insult, only increasing the grudge between the two. It’s a great time to be a Venom fan, as this fun new design debuts.
Venom #251 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- First Appearance
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The Amazing Spider-Man
- Alias
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Eddie Brock
- RELATIONSHIPS
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Eddie Brock (primary host and ally), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (initial enemy, later uneasy ally), Anne Weying (former wife of Eddie Brock and occasional host), Cletus Kasady/Carnage (offspring of the Venom symbiote and a deadly enemy)
- Alliance
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Vigilante