Warning: Spoilers for Venom #37!Venom has been the moniker of many heroes and villains who have worn the black suit and bonded with the alien symbiote. Likewise, there have been many Sorcerer Supremes, and yet there is only one Doctor Strange, as there is only one Venom. While these lauded heroes get their sequels and their three-quels in the MCU, it seems that finally they are sharing an unlikely comic book adventure.
This current Venom is Old Man Venom, a version of Dylan Brock from the shattered future who has traveled back to the past to save the day just in time for Venom War. In Venom #37 by Torunn Grønbekk, CAFU, Frank D’Armata, and Clayton Cowles, Venom comes to Doctor Strange in the past before Venom was known in the Marvel Universe and asks his help.
What ensues is the perfect banter that fans of both comics and the MCU could expect between not just two heroes, but three: Stephen Strange, Venom, and his host.
Venom and Doctor Strange Go All the Way Back
To the Distant Future, That Is
Old Man Venom and Old Man Strange are the future’s last hope, as surprising as that may sound. Together they sent Dylan Brock into the past, making him similar to the X-Men hero Cable. But the interesting part of this adventure is that they already knew each other as old men – now this version of Venom has to deal with a cockier, younger Strange and prove to him that he’s not a demon. And Strange has a plan to do just that.
In a What If scenario, the two have already met – especially because Marvel explored what would happen if Venom bonded with Doctor Strange. But in this world – or in the past, that is – they share a mind-meld where they can delve into each other’s minds and know each other’s deepest secrets. It seems like the Sorcerer Supreme and a so-called demon are on the road to becoming best friends.
Venom and Doctor Strange Will Save The Future
The Newest (and Strangest) Team-up in Marvel Comics
Together, they journey to a distant realm to find Chthon to save not only Venom’s future but the very world. Putting an alien symbiote beside a magical sorcerer is a bold move by Marvel and puts on display an interesting dynamic. Venom is constantly referred to as this demon, and as they descend into this adventure, the symbolism only grows as Venom descends into more horror stories. Doctor Strange isn’t the only magical character anymore. It seems he has a friend.
As Venom dips into the world of magic, Doctor Strange dips into the future and sees a glimpse of what’s to come. Together, only they can stop the future in a way that will satisfy long-time comic fans and fans still waiting for the next MCU installment. Considering Marvel has already showed fans their friendship in one distant future, for now here comes the newest dynamic duo no one expected – Venom and Doctor Strange.
Venom #37 is 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.
- First Appearance
- The Amazing Spider-Man
- Alias
- Eddie Brock
- RELATIONSHIPS
- 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
- Vigilante
- Race
- Klyntar (Symbiote species)
- POWERS
- Superhuman strength, speed, agility, and endurance, Ability to cling to surfaces, Shape-shifting abilities (forming weapons, shields), Regeneration and healing factor, Immunity to Spider-Man’s spider-sense, Enhanced senses, Able to produce webbing, Bonding with a host to share or amplify powers, Immunity to all Earthly diseases
- HISTORY
- The Venom symbiote is an alien organism that first bonded with Peter Parker (Spider-Man) during the “Secret Wars” storyline. After Parker rejected the symbiote, it found a new host in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist. The symbiote and Brock bonded over their mutual hatred for Spider-Man, becoming the anti-hero known as Venom. Over time, Venom has evolved from a villain to an anti-hero, often fighting alongside other heroes to protect innocents, though his methods remain brutal.
- Age
- Ancient
- Height
- Around 6’3″ (190 cm) when bonded with Eddie Brock
- Comic Books
- Venom #1 , Marvel’s Venom: Lethal Protector #1 , Venom: Lethal Protector II #1 , Venom: Space Knight #13 , Venomized #1 , King in Black #1
Summary
When a sentient alien symbiote merges with Eddie Brock, the result is the supervillain Venom, a classic and fan-favorite addition to Spider-Man’s rogues gallery. Though Brock is not the only human that the Venom symbiote has bonded with, he is the most well-known and popular, in part due to his appearances in the Spider-Man as well as standalone films. Since his introduction, Venom has gone from villain to antihero, facing down the serial killer Cletus Kasady and his symbiote, Carnage.
Doctor Strange
- First Appearance
- Strange Tales
- Alias
- Stephen Vincent Strange
- Alliance
- Avengers, Defenders, Illuminati, Infinity Watch, Midnight Sons, New Avengers, The Order
