In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Peter and Miles face a terrifying and deadly enemy: Venom. This is one of Spider-Man’s most iconic and beloved members of his rogue’s gallery, a savage and unrelenting foe that pushes Peter Parker to his limits.
While his origins have been changed in the game from his comic book counterpart, Venom retains his intimidating presence and fantastic design. If you’re new to Spider-Man comics and movies, jump into the incredible journey that is Insomniacs’ Spider-Man.
Venom’s Comic Book Origins
The character of Venom was created by legendary artist Todd McFarlane in 1988, however, his original form as the Black Suit Symbiote donned by Peter Parker was first introduced in 1984. Venom is an alien that takes the form of a black substance that attaches itself to a host and forms a symbiotic relationship. Venom grants its host immense strength and physical prowess, along with unique abilities like the use of tendrils using his shifting flesh.
However, the longer the host is attached to the symbiote, the more their mental state and physical health deteriorate, as Venom slowly consumes his symbiotic partner. Eventually, Peter noticed his personality changing for the worse, as the alien was changing the kind and friendly Peter into a more violent and aggressive person. Peter got rid of the suit, but it quickly found a new host in Eddie Brock. They would both foster a deep grudge against the wall-crawler.
Eddie is Venom’s most well-known host. Venom has gone from host to host, like Mac Gargan the Scorpion and even Flash Thompson, Peter’s former classmate. In this new interpretation, his host is quite different from what fans have typically seen in the comics.
Venom’s Powers and Abilities
Venom, as an alien life form, exhibits an array of abilities unique to his kin. After being attached to Peter Parker for a long time, he obtained similar powers to him that he carried over to his next host. Venom’s primary abilities include shifting his biomass into tentacles and tendrils he uses to attack his victims. He also manifests a massive jaw with jagged teeth that can eviscerate and even eat almost anyone. Venom has often been depicted as carnivorous and even a cannibal of sorts.
After being Spider-Man’s symbiote, he inherited some of his powers. Venom gained the use of webs, great agility and reflexes, and a limited version of spider-sense, as well as being undetectable by Peter’s own senses. Venom is incredibly fast with enhanced endurance and strength, as well as some of Spider-Man’s powers. He’s an extremely dangerous foe.
Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man
The symbiote is first seen in the post-credits scene in the first Spider-Man game. Harry Osborn is kept in a healing tank by his father Norman Osborn at Oscorp. Around the unconscious and terminally ill Harry is the symbiote, slowly bonding with Peter’s best friend.
Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two years before the events of the game, Harry is given the symbiote suit as a way to cure his illness which was inherited from his mother Emily Osborn. Norman, with the help of Dr. Curt Connors, uses the alien symbiote to save Harry from his critical condition. Unbeknownst to the two scientists, the symbiote slowly grants Harry enhanced physical abilities.
Shortly after returning to New York and spending time with Peter and Mary Jane, Harry’s symbiote develops enough to grant him a suit that greatly empowers him. On top of his enhanced strength and agility, Harry can utilize tendrils made from the symbiote’s bio-mass. He joins Spider-Man, who he has found out to be Peter, as a superhero duo to stop Kraven the Hunter. During an encounter with the expert warrior, Kraven fatally wounds Peter. While trying to save Peter, Harry’s symbiote suit detaches from him and bonds with Peter, saving his life and granting him a black Spider-Man suit.
After some time, the symbiote starts to corrupt Peter, turning him violent and selfish. After he manages to take the suit off once and for all (with the help of Miles), the two spiders encase the being and take it to Oscorp. Peter finds a sick and resentful Harry. The symbiote escapes from the flask and bonds once again with Harry, this time turning him into the monstrous and unstoppable Venom.