Warning! Spoilers Ahead for Venom #37!
It’s quite challenging to think of a character with a design as straightforward and instantly identifiable as Venom. The character is a towering figure enveloped in black goo, adorned with the distinctive white eyes and chest emblem. Almost anyone with even a cursory knowledge of comics can spot Venom immediately. Recently, Marvel introduced a subtle enhancement to his design, making him even cooler while maintaining his classic appearance.
In Marvel’s preview of Venom #37—crafted by writer Torunn Grønbekk and artist CAFU—a new design is showcased through a time-traveling version of Dylan Brock. He journeys into the past to collect materials necessary for crafting a super weapon. During a confrontation with Spider-Man, Old Man Dylan transforms into Venom, retaining the familiar look except for a scar running down his eye.
This scar provides a striking distinction for this iteration of Venom, particularly as the “Venom War” brings together various symbiote hosts from the past, present, and future.
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The Future Dylan Brock’s Venom Sports a Distinctive Scar Amidst the “Venom War”
Venom #37 – Authored by Torunn Grønbekk, with art by CAFU and German Peralta, colored by Frank D’Armata, and lettering by Clayton Cowles
The scar serves as a remarkable differentiator for Dylan Brock’s version, who will encounter not only versions of his father as the Venom War intensifies but also his own past self.
This scar is a novel addition to Venom’s appearance, and its presence is perfectly logical. While not a significant transformation, it may be overlooked by many fans. Yet, this subtle detail plays a crucial role in illustrating the symbiotic nature of how the Venom symbiote interacts with hosts. Moreover, the scar effectively distinguishes this version of Dylan Brock, who will face both different incarnations of his father and himself from earlier timelines as the Venom War progresses.
Symbiotes are among the most fascinating extraterrestrials in the Marvel Universe due to their capability to bond with nearly any entity. Furthermore, symbiotes tend to adopt certain physical traits of their hosts, ensuring that different hosts of the same symbiote exhibit unique appearances. This is evident across most symbiotes, as illustrated when the Carnage Symbiote bonded with Norman Osborn, resulting in a distinct look compared to when it was with Cletus. The Venom symbiote exemplifies this best, having bonded with numerous hosts over the years, each showcasing a unique appearance.
Old Man Venom’s Eye Scar Highlights the “Symbiosis” Element of Symbiote Lore
Venom #37 – Available on September 11, 2024
Even a simple eye scar, originating from one of Old Man Dylan’s numerous injuries, serves as an ideal update to the Venom symbiote’s design.
When bonded with Spider-Man, the Venom symbiote was sleek and minimalist. With Eddie, it adopted his bodybuilder physique, becoming massive and muscular. In contrast, with Mac Gargan, it took on an almost feral look, and with Flash Thompson, it transformed into a more controlled, militarized form. With Dylan, it deviated slightly, featuring chains instead of the iconic webs. Now, as Dylan ages, the Venom symbiote mirrors some of his battle scars, such as the eye scar.
With the plethora of Venom hosts over the years, Marvel has had to devise methods to ensure viewers can distinguish between them. This has led to the intriguing characteristic of symbiotes adopting specific traits from their hosts. Even something as minor as an eye scar, stemming from one of Old Man Dylan’s many injuries, serves as an excellent way to refresh the Venom symbiote’s design, making it instantly recognizable from both Eddie Brock and the younger Dylan Brock versions.
Venom #37 will be available from Marvel Comics on September 11, 2024.
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.