Venom: From Funny Buddy to Frightening Foe

To many superhero aficionados, Venom is just Eddie Brock’s quirky sidekick, a lethal protector who alternates between chomping on evildoers’ brains and indulging in chocolate. Even comic readers see him as a tortured anti-hero, the symbiotic partner of Eddie, who’s more “flawed good guy” than “menacing monster”. But let’s rewind to the 80s, where this creature was serious business, aiming for Spidey’s head!

An Animated Resurrection?

In a twist that could deliver chills, the creative team behind Final Destination: Bloodlines hopes to resurrect Venom’s scary persona. According to a report from the cinema wizards at The Hollywood Reporter, directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are cooking up an animated Venom flick. Although the details are still under wraps, considering these directors’ flair for the gory, it might just slip back into the horror genre!

A Peek into Venom’s Dark Origins

Venom’s roots as a horror icon sprouted from the pages of 1988’s Amazing Spider-Man #300, courtesy of writer David Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane! The tale kicks off with Mary Jane shaking in her boots as a shadowy figure approaches. Spoiler: It’s just her hubby Peter Parker sporting a cloth rendition of his black costume, but that initial dread sets the tone. Venom’s on a hunt, intent on offing Spider-Man and even takes out an innocent bystander!

History of the Suit

Even the lead-up to this essential issue gets the spooky vibes. Our hero Spider-Man snagged his infamous black suit during the original Secret Wars saga in ’84. Initially, the suit seemed to elevate Peter, but soon, it revealed its dark side, driving a wedge between him and Mary Jane as it loomed like a jealous shadow.

Becoming Venom

Realizing the costume was a living entity, Peter ditched it, allowing it to snuggle up to Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist who has a beef with Peter. This unholy union birthed Venom—who started as a bulkier, badder version of Spider-Man but quickly morphed into a grotesque figure dressed in teeth, tendrils, and goo galore!

From Horror to Hero

Despite his monstrous looks, Venom skyrocketed in popularity during the 90s, amidst a wave of anti-hero madness, leading him to his own miniseries in 1993. Even though he’s established as a brutal protector who doesn’t mind putting a few capers to rest, more recent tales paint him as the Earth’s defender against crazy creatures like Knull, or on a bizarre twist, Mary Jane taking over as host!

The Future of Venom

While those stories are a blast, there’s no denying that Venom’s horror roots have gotten dusty over the years. If Lipovsky and Stein can bring back that visceral thrill from Final Destination, capturing its heart and cheekiness, we might just see Venom reclaim his title as a terrorizing force once more! Keep your eyes peeled as the Venom animated movie slithers into pre-production!