Warning! Spoilers for Venom War #4!Eddie Brock has had many different identities over the years, but he’s most popularly known asVenom. But for a time in Marvel’s comics, Eddie wasn’t Venom - he wasAnti-Venom. Now, that identity has returned just in time to help save New York City from a nearly unstoppable threat.
New York City has beenoverrun by terrifying Zombiotes, dead symbiotes that are merging with either dead bodies or living people. The zombiotes have already managed to take over several heroes and villains. They’re a massive threat, yetEddie Brock defeats them easily with the return of an old identityinVenom War#4 by Al Ewing and Iban Coello.
Seeing the zombiotes running wild in New York,Eddie Brock uses his King in Black powers to pull Anti-Venom from Flash Thompson, taking the powers for himself and becoming Anti-Venom once again. Combining his Anti-Venom and King in Black powers, Eddie is able to “touch” all zombiotes with Anti-Venom, instantly destroying them and saving the day.
Eddie Brock Briefly Transforms into Anti-Venom, One of His Most Powerful Forms
Venom War#4 by Al Ewing, Iban Coello, Frank D’Armata, and Ariana Maher
Eddie has a long and complicated history with symbiotes. During a period when Eddie was suffering from cancer and wasn’t bonded with theVenomsymbiote, he decided to work at F.E.A.S.T., helping others before he eventually died. While there, he was touched by Martin Lee, who most fans know as Mr. Negative. Using his healing touch, Martin Lee not only destroys the cancer in Eddie’s body but also causes the lingering parts of the Venom symbiote in his body to bond with his white blood cells, creating a brand-new symbiote known as Anti-Venom.
With a simple touch, Anti-Venom can burn the influence of any symbiote it comes across.
This Anti-Venom form was one of Eddie’s best as he sported a color-inversed Venom design. Not only did it look cool, it was alsodeadly to any other symbiote.With a simple touch, Anti-Venom can burn the influence of any symbiote it comes across. Combined with Eddie Brock’s King in Black powers, Eddie Brock is capable of forcing any symbiote he has control over to come into contact with Anti-Venom, completely obliterating them in the process. Unfortunately, Eddie was quicklyforced out of this Anti-Venom form by Carnage, making this return short-lived.
Anti-Venom’s Return Is Unfortunately Short-Lived in Current Marvel Lore
Eddie Brock Will Likely Take on a Different, Darker Identity in Coming Stories
Unfortunately, Eddie Brock wasn’t able to remain asAnti-Venomfor long - likely because it would make solving the intenseVenom Warconflict far too easy. As Eddie Brock fights over his right to the Venom identity, it was nice to see another of his identities return, even if only for a little bit. WhileVenom Warcontinues to push Eddie and his family to the limit, fans will just have to tune in to see if Eddie Brock will ultimately return to hisVenomidentity or if he’ll be taking on a different identity in the future.
Venom War#4is available now from Marvel Comics!
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
