Symbiote (comics) 2951632 225282131 2008-07-12T21:36:49Z 206.107.103.66 /* Ultimate symbiotes */ {{comicbookspecies <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> |image= Aliensymbiote.jpg |imagesize=125 |caption=The [[Venom (comics)|Venom]] Symbiote and [[Spider-Man]]. |species=Symbiotes |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |debut=Secret Wars #8 |creators= |homeworld= |notable members=[[Venom (comics)|Venom]]<br/>[[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]]<br/>[[Toxin (comics)|Toxin]]<br/>[[Scream (comics)|Scream]]<br/>[[Hybrid (Venom Spawn)|Hybrid]]<br/>[[Venom 2099]]<br/>[[Anti-Venom (comics)|Anti-Venom]] |powers=Symbiosis with a host provides increased strength, speed, and durability, gains characteristics of host, increases original powers of hosts |subcat=Marvel Comics |altcat= |sortkey=Symbiote (comics) |}} A '''symbiote''', in [[Marvel Comics]]' fictional universe, is a living, sentient, alien organism that bonds with other living organisms in order to survive. Since it has no classifying name, it is referred to as a symbiote because of its [[Symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationships. Often symbiotes are called "living costume" because of the way the amorphous creatures envelop their hosts. They have incredible adaptive attributes and quickly gain similar powers to the superhuman they bond to. They are extremly deadly and have murderous urges on a regular basis. Some symbiotes, like Venom and Carnage, are known to threaten to eat their victims. The symbiote enhances the physical attributes of its host, commonly increasing their strength and speed to superhuman levels as well as granting them a range of other powers such as transformation and mass-alteration. The first appearance of a symbiote occurs in Secret Wars #8 in which it bonds with Spider-Man. Eventually the symbiote attempted to permanently bind itself to the character and had to be forcibly removed after which time it bonded with Eddie Brock to become Venom. Since then numerous symbiotes have appeared, many of which are the offspring of the original Venom symbiote and possess similar or even greater powers. The second symbiote was the Carnage symbiote which bonded with Cletus Kasady to form [[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]] ==Overview== ===Origin of the Symbiotes=== It is unclear where the symbiotes actually originated, but it is known that their species existed for millions of years prior to the arrival of the [[Venom (comics)|Venom]] symbiote on Earth. It is implied that [[Galactus]], devourer of worlds, consumed a world which they had taken over and where they had thrived, based on [[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]]'s reaction to the [[Silver Surfer]], former herald of Galactus. It was mistakenly believed that this was their homeworld. It is shown through the Carnage symbiote that this was a world whose dominant life forms had been overrun by the marauding symbiotes. In Venom: Seed of Darkness -1, it is stated that when Krobaa was brought to Earth it bonded with the professor that had found him to acquire (through the symbiosis) knowledge of humanity to bring the information to a high galactic order that valued "Diversity of mind above all else", but Krobaa was infected with the madness of the human mind. Attacking all living things claiming to feed on their fear (much like Dreadface) and only after Eddie Brock's camera flash had weakened him, Krobaa regained control of himself and committed suicide to save other planets from the "plague of madness." [[Image:Secretwar8.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The cover of Secret Wars #8, which introduced [[Spider-Man]]'s black costume. Pencil art by Mike Zeck.]] The mini-series ''Planet of the Symbiotes'' presents a different story (widely accepted as the canon story), symbiotes were originally an unfeeling, conquering race, taking over any species they came in contact with to feed off their emotions; this mainly involved adrenaline rushes from death-defying feats and, as a consequence, the hosts tend to be short-lived. This was also evidenced in the [[Fantastic Four]] series, when a black cube (imprisoned by [[Devos the Devastator]] as a trophy of the most dangerous species he has ever faced) escapes and is revealed to be a sentient alien symbiote (called ''Dreadface'' in the issue's title) that fuels (and then feeds off) the animosity between [[the Human Torch]] and [[the Thing]] before apparently being incinerated. The Venom symbiote was different because it desired a strong bond with a single host, and desired to belong rather than to dominate, leading to imprisonment by its own race, at which point it was brought to [[Battleworld]] during the first [[Secret Wars]]. The Venom symbiote describes itself as a [[mutation]] though it may just as likely be an [[atavism]] among its species. While the number of symbiotes in existence at present is unknown, Venom tells Carnage that he, Carnage, is the nine hundred ninety-ninth in his line, and making Carnage's offspring [[Toxin (comics)|Toxin]] the thousandth. However, there are likely to be more than this because Venom was only talking about the amount in his personal family line, not the species as a whole. The symbiote that temporarily merged with Spider-Man was found in the [[Secret Wars]]. ===Personality=== While most symbiotes seen in the Marvel Universe have been shown to be capable of great feats of violence, deception and various criminal acts against humanity, it is notable that their hosts were generally unstable before bonding. In a strange twist of [[nature versus nurture]], it seems that a symbiote's personality may be based on an amalgamation of the memories and thoughts that have been collected from the various hosts and stored within its genetic memory. This explains how a creature like the Venom symbiote who once valued life to some degree has mutated into a being who could take the lives of many even without a host to guide its actions. Additionally, Patrick Mulligan, host to the Toxin symbiote, was a stable and virtuous human who was able to use his symbiote to perform genuinely heroic actions; according to Venom, this could also be because the thousandth symbiote of the line is subject to mental breakdown. Though the Toxin symbiote has occasionally tried to make Patrick utilize more violent methods in the pursuit of crime, this could be attributed to the genetic memories passed on from Carnage, his father, who is indifferent about his use of violence. The Venom symbiote was said to have originally been emotionless but gained human emotion after its time bonded to Peter Parker and even sacrificed itself to pull Peter away from the churchbells even though they were the same bells Peter used to destroy it. In the MC2 universe, the Venom symbiote bonds with the grandson of Norman Osborn, Normie Osborn, but his good-hearted nature influences the suit and causes it to sacrifice itself against a sonic attack to defend Spider-Girl. It is therefore also possible that while the symbiote possesses a complex sentience, and that it obtains some of its opinions on morality from the current host and as such, amplifies the hatred and evil in hosts like Kasady while someone devoid of hatred was capable of influencing the suit to be virtuous. More confused hosts, like Brock, seem to result in different personalities: Venom claimed 'innocence should be cherished' and rescued victims he deemed innocent, including human infants. However, Brock's poor judgment has led to him performing many criminal acts, including the murder of some apparently innocent people. ===Bonding=== [[Image:Secret-Wars-Black-Costume.png|thumb|200px|left|The [[Venom (comics)|Venom symbiote]] bonds to [[Spider-Man]] in ''[[Secret Wars]]'' #8). Text by [[Jim Shooter]]. Pencils by [[Mike Zeck]].]] Symbiotes can attach themselves to anything solid and grow on it or around, such as grains of sand or water, even though they need something living in order for a true bonding to occur, mostly humans (symbiotes have temporarily bonded to a wolf and a gorilla). The application of a symbiote provokes a cool feeling as the plasmic ooze covers its host. Symbiotes may start off small but can grow to match the size of any host, no matter the size. It stimulates them, provides for them, and protects them by itself when the host is unconscious or unaware of a true symbiotic relationship. Symbiotes rely on human hosts because they are able to feed off [[adrenaline]] which is essential to their survival. They also feed off diseases fatal to humans, due to the type of energy or "adrenaline" it may produce; for example, the Venom symbiote was able to save Eddie Brock's life from cancer by feeding off it, since Eddie's cancer produced the exact type of adrenaline that the symbiote needs to survive. Symbiotes are capable of living independently off a host as all known symbiotes have, as they have at one time or another, left their hosts or been forced to be without their hosts for extended periods of time. However, there has been no indication that a symbiote can survive permanently without a host. It is possible that the symbiosis is preferred due to the advantages that host and symbiote gain, especially in regards to survival. Combined with a host, the symbiote is able to wield great strength, speed, stamina and other physical attributes of the host, enhanced well beyond normal levels. As such, symbiotes prefer stronger hosts and when they find an ideal one, will attempt to bond permanently with them. The Carnage symbiote is unusual as it seemed to have actually become a part of its host; Cletus Kasady. When it was born, it infected his blood and its bond with him was so strong that even when seemingly destroyed, it could reform if Kasady's blood was exposed from a simple cut. However, the bond between Kasady and his symbiote seems to have weakened in later issues. If a symbiote is strongly bonded, as the Venom symbiote was to Eddie Brock, an attempt to break the bond causes a shock sufficient to render both host and symbiote unconscious. However, a symbiote can easily sever a weak bond, such as when Angelo Fortunato was left to plummet to his death, mid-jump, by the Venom suit. Recently, within the Marvel mythos, the bond between a symbiote and its host seems to becoming more of a "any host will do" type of situation. When Spider-Man originally was the host to the Venom symbiote, the symbiote would go out on patrol at night, using Peter's unconscious body as a mode of transportation. Carnage's bond to Kasidy has also been described as such, Kasidy quipping in the Carnage vs Venom miniseries, "You may be the bus driver, but you still need the bus." Mac Gargan has also been heard saying similar regards, describing that he and Venom are separate entities. Gargan said that Venom was inside of him, but not him in Thunderbolts 116. Toxin's bond with Mulligan is also this way, as can be seen throughout the Toxin miniseries. ===Weaknesses=== Originally, Symbiotes were naturally weakened by intense sounds and intense heat - especially large fires. And in some stories and games, (mostly mentioned in the [[Spider-Man (2000 video game)|2000 Spider-Man game]]), they are also weakened by [[magnesium]]. However as each new symbiote has spawned a child, a natural evolution seems to not only increase their strengths, but also reduce their weaknesses. Even already existing symbiotes can mutate and develop these resistances. Still, there has not been an invulnerable symbiote in mainstream continuity as even the newest breeds can still be harmed by incredible amounts of sonic waves and heat. Also in the mainstream Marvel Universe, symbiotes are vulnerable to the heat produced by high voltage electricity. There are other weaknesses as well. [[Iron Man]] managed to create an antidote formula that could destroy a symbiote. (Although it should be noted that these were symbiotes tampered by [[Dr.Doom]] originally and are most probably special made.) With Venom and Carnage, authorities have been able to keep their symbiotes in check with a chemical inhibitor. The criminal [[Styx and Stone|Styx]] nearly killed the Venom symbiote with his lethal touch. Whether a symbiote can mutate and reduce the effect of these weaknesses is unknown. Also, when a symbiote bonded with [[Wolverine (comics)| Wolverine]], it was pushed out by his advanced [[healing factor]], although Wolverine's healing factor had no use when he was bonded to a clone of the Venom symbiote. In some incarnations, the symbiote is depicted as requiring a certain chemical (most likely [[phenethylamine]]) to stay sane and healthy, which has been said to be found abundantly in two sources: chocolate and human brain tissue. Thus, the host is forced to steal/buy large amounts of chocolate or become an unwilling cannibal who devours the brains of those he kills. This peculiar trait has only been witnessed in the Venom symbiote. However, both Carnage and Toxin have threatened their enemies with aspirations to "eating their brains", as well as various other body parts. ==Special abilities== Symbiotes empower the natural abilities of a host to the point where they far exceed that of normal members of the hosts species. These abilities include the following: *Superhuman strength. *Superior speed and agility, enhances other physical attributes as well. *Enhanced durability and resistance to damage. *Genetic memory, recalling information from previous hosts. *Enhanced healing ability. *Can expand to any size as long as they have something to grow on such as a host or an object. Symbiotes can get inside of small areas such as electric wires and the insides of cars and completely disable them. The symbiote also reacts to the thoughts and will of the host. When Spider-Man was originally selected, he had been thinking about [[Julia Carpenter|Spider-Woman's]] costume in the Secret Wars. The symbiote acted on this and formed a similar costume, the one seen on him and Venom. The following are functions that have been demonstrated from various hosts' wills (but are not limited to): *The ability to form fangs or simple bladed weapons out of their limbs. *The ability to form tendrils from their body *The ability to shape-shift, from mimicking clothing up to and including complete change of appearance and stature. *The ability to stick to walls (adapted from Spider-Man). *The ability to produce webbing from its own mass (adapted from Spider-Man). *The Venom symbiote also has empathic abilities, and is able to project desires and needs into the thoughts of its host or potential hosts <ref>The suit tried to connect with Franklin Richards to free it from the Baxter Building, but sensed the boy's unlimited power and was scared of the boy</ref>. This ability can also aide Venom in detecting the truth from those he interrogates. *Can sense the presence of other beings within a certain distance. *Symbiote bonding protects the host from Ghost Rider's penance stare. *The ability to bypass the Spider-Sense (because the original symbiote was attached to Peter first, it took his genetic information and spider-powers. This means that the symbiote attacking Peter would essentially be Peter attacking himself, which wouldn't set off his Spider-Sense; during the Clone Saga, this became complicated, as Venom did set off [[Ben Reilly]]'s Spider-Sense, but Carnage apparently did not). *The ability to create storage portals inside of them (This created easy access to Peter's camera). *Each symbiote has their own unique ability, such as Carnage being able to see from every direction of his body (this is similar to Spider-Man's spider sense). ==Well-known symbiotes and hosts== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:NEWAVN035 col3.jpg|thumb|200px|Cover art for ''New Avengers'' #35.<br/>Art by [[Leinil Yu]].]] --> The following is a complete list of existing symbiotes who have/had human hosts [[Image:Symbiote.jpg|right|thumb|289px|The [[Venom]] symbiote attacks]] ===Venom=== *'''[[Venom (comics)|Venom]]''' ** first worn by '''[[Spider-Man]]''' ** '''[[Venom (Eddie Brock)|Eddie Brock]]''' **'''[[She-Venom]]''' ** '''[[Ben Reilly]]''' briefly and unknowingly wore the Venom symbiote during the Planet of the Symbiotes storyline. ** '''[[Angelo Fortunato]]''' ** '''[[Mac Gargan]]''' (Scorpion) current wearer of the Venom symbiote. Sometimes referred to as Scorpion-Venom. **'''[[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]''' Wolverine faced a clone of the Venom symbiote, which briefly merged with him during the "Venom: Run" arc of the 2003 series. **'''[[Kulan Gath]]''' took the symbiote from Eddie Brock and was referred to as Kulan Venom. [[Image:Ultimate venom.jpg|thumb|right|175px|''Venom'' is very bad, because he has lost his Host Eddie Brock in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' #38 (May, 2003). Art by [[Mark Bagley]].]] ====Other versions of Venom==== :*'''[[Normie Osborn]]''', the grandson of the original [[Green Goblin]] and friend of [[Spider-Girl]], was the longest-term host of the Venom Symbiote in the [[MC2]] Universe (this character is sometimes referred to as "''Goblin-Venom''" but also called themselves "Dusk".) In ''Spider-Girl'' #100, he gave up the Venom symbiote to Spider-Girl in order to save her life. These events are part of the [[MC2]] continuity and not the regular continuity. :* '''[[Spider-Girl]] (May "Mayday" Parker)''' briefly bonds with the Venom symbiote in ''Spider-Girl'' #100. In the same issue, the symbiote separates from May and attacks the [[Hobgoblin (comics)|Hobgoblin]] which ends with the symbiote's death. These events are part of the [[MC2]] continuity and not the regular continuity. :* '''Spider-Venom (Peter Parker)''' (Spider-Man of the MC2 universe) briefly wore the Venom costume again in "Spider-Girl" #5. This is of note however because Spider-Venom's (as he called himself) costume is almost exactly the costume of Venom in the movie ''[[Spider-Man 3]]''. :* Spider-Man's daughter, '''May "Mayday" Parker''', in the alternate reality of [[Earth X]]. :* '''[[Venom 2099|Kron Stone]]''', in the year 2099, half-brother to that era's Spider-Man, bonded with the symbiote to become the Venom of 2099. The symbiote was described as having mutated over the years, and displayed new abilities in this timeline, including acidic ''blood'' and saliva. It was revealed that the symbiote bonded with Kron ''on a molecular level'' giving Kron an amorphous physiology that allowed his body to take on the properties of the symbiote itself. These events are part of the [[Marvel 2099]] continuity, which is a possible future of the current Marvel Universe. :* '''Roman the Sub-Mariner''' became a brief host to the symbiote in the year 2099 after Stone was apprehended by Spider-Man of 2099 in Spiderman 2099 #44. :* '''[[Punisher|The Punisher]]''' wore the Venom symbiote in What If (vol.2) #44, which is outside regular continuity. :* '''[[Incredible Hulk|The Hulk]]''' in ''What If...'' (vol. 2) #4; alternate storyline where Spider-Man never spoke to Reed Richards about it, and, having drained Peter of the adrenaline it requires, it takes control of the out-of-control and mentally weak Hulk until it is cornered by Thor. :* '''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]''' in ''What If...'' (vol. 2) #4; alternate storyline (Same as above), with the symbiote jumping to Thor after he confronts the Hulk, only to be driven out of Thor thanks to the intervention of [[Black Bolt]] and subsequently killed by [[Black Cat (comics)|Black Cat]]. :* '''[[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]]''' in ''What If... the Other''. Alternate events of the Other storyline lead Peter to reject the Spider and stay dead. The symbiote senses this, leaving Gargan, and bonds with Peter's broken mind to become the persona known as '''Poison'''. :*'''Pike''' in ''[[Backlash (Wildstorm)|Backlash]]/Spider-Man'' #2 after a piece of Venom's symbiote was let loose and bonded with him. This combination lasted very briefly, as Spider-Man almost immediately started ringing a church bell, and the symbiote peeled right off Pike and back onto Venom (oddly enough, Venom didn't seem to be affected by the church bell). It is unclear if this transfer of Venom took place in Earth 616 or was outside the regular continuity. :* '''[[Power Pack|Katie Power]]''' in ''Spider-Man and Power Pack''. In the Marvel Adventures universe, the Venom symbiote is separated from Eddie Brock. A fashion designer finds and duplicates the symbiote for use in his show. The symbiotes take over the models (one being [[Mary Jane Watson]]) before merging on Katie Power. The symbiote possess the young Power and uses her to bait Spider-Man into a Sinister Six ambush. Eventually with the help of the Fantastic Four, the symbiote is expelled. :* '''Pork Grind''' is the version of Venom from Spider-Ham's universe. He appeared in What The!? #20. :* '''[[Human Torch]]''' in the Marvel Adventure universe wore the Venom symbiote in MA Spider-Man #24. After the Fantastic Four managed to remove the symbiote from Spider-Man, Johnny decided to borrow it briefly, not knowing its true nature. While he wore it, the symbiote became a black and white version of his usual costume, but fled when he activated his flame powers (due to its weakness to extreme heat), eventually finding and bonding with Eddie Brock. :* '''[[Galactus]]''' in a Mysterio-induced hallucination. :* Multiple clones of Venom appeared in Spider-Man: Reign, What If? Age of Apocalypse, and Spider-Man and Power Pack (see Katie Power). ===Carnage=== *'''[[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]]''' (currently thought to be dead) ** '''[[Carnage (comics)|Cletus Kasady]]''' ** '''[[John Jameson (comics)|John Jameson]]''' ** '''[[Ben Reilly]]''' ** '''[[The Silver Surfer]]''' [[Image:Spiderman037.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Carnage is an fusion of cletus Kasadys blood and a little spawn of the Venom symbiote (vol. 1) #37. Art by [[Tom Lyle]].]] ====Other versions of Carnage==== :* '''[[The Silver Surfer]]''' stayed "[[The Silver Surfer#Cosmic Carnage|The Cosmic Carnage]]" (an alternate reality "What If" story expanded this, exploring "What if Carnage had stayed bonded to the Silver Surfer?" in What If? 108). :* In the series ''[[Exiles (Marvel Comics)|Exiles]]'' (which involves inter-dimensional travel) there is an alternate-universe version of [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]] merged with an alternate-universe version of the [[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]]-symbiote. This symbiote is known as '''The Spider'''. They are a psychotic killer that "likes hurting people" and they have a sense of humor akin to [[Deadpool (comics)|Deadpool]]. They had been sentenced to death in their home reality, but were displaced in time before the sentence could be carried out. They originate from [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Earth-15]] and are members of the [[Weapon X (Exiles)|Weapon X]] team. :* '''[[Monster-Ock]]''' Doc Ock in the Carnage symbiote, but in the [[Spider-Man (2000 video game)|Spider-Man]] game, not a comic. After defeating Doc Ock and Carnage shortly after, the symbiote leaves Kassady and bonds with a weakened Octavious and causes the underwater base (where this takes place) to gradually break down. This strange yet powerful bond only lasts for a short time, after Spiderman outruns the symbiotic Octavious. The symbiote was the only thing that protected Ock from the intense heat and is presumed dead. :*'''Moose Mansfield'''-A friend of [[Spider-Girl]] (aka May "Mayday" Parker"), briefly bonds with Carnage in the MC2 universe and even reproduces a mini version that bonds with May's baby brother, '''Benjamin Parker'''. Eventually, they were both separated and destroyed from their hosts after May uses ultra sound. :* '''Ultimate [[Gwen Stacy]]''' was apparently killed by Ultimate Carnage. This Carnage was killed by Peter when he dropped it into a smokestack. :* '''[[Gwen Stacy]]''' ('''Ultimate Marvel''') What is presumed to be Gwen Stacy's clone is the host of the new Carnage symbiote. She is currently in stasis and entirely inactive under Nick Fury's watch. Carnage appeared to drain Gwen of all her bodily fluids, but there is no evidence yet to clearly state that she is a clone, as she may well be the original Gwen Stacy. This creature was contained in the same building as the various clones of Spider-Man in the Ultimate Marvel version of the Spider-Man [[Clone Saga]]. Nick Fury ordered something as yet unknown to be done to this version of Carnage, and she may appear again in the future. ===Other Symbiotes=== *'''[[Scream (comics)|Scream]]''' (worn by Donna Diego) A life foundation symbiote *'''[[Toxin (comics)|Toxin]]''' (worn by Patrick Mulligan) Spawn of Carnage *'''The life foundation symbiotes''' worn by [[Carl Mach (comics)|Carl Mach]], [[Trevor Cole (comics)|Trevor Cole]], [[Lasher (comics)|Ramon Hernandez (aka Lasher)]] and [[Leslie Gesneria (comics)|Leslie Gesneria]]. *'''[[Hybrid (Venom Spawn)|Hybrid]]''' (worn by Scott Washington) 4 of the life foundation symbiotes merged to form Hybrid. He is the first good symbiote. *'''[[She-Venom]] II''' (worn by Communications Specialist Patricia Robertson.) Clone of the Venom symbiote. *'''Krobaa''' in "Venom: Seed of Darkness" Minus 1, a younger Eddie Brock fights a man wearing a symbiote calling himself Krobaa, whom Eddie defeats using the flash on his camera. *'''Dreadface''' (worn at times by '''[[Thing (comics)|Thing]]''', '''[[Human Torch]]''', and '''[[Psi-Lord]]''' ) was an alien symbiote of the same race as the Venom symbiote that appeared in two issues of the Fantastic Four volume one. It was imprisoned upon the warship of Devos the Destroyer and accidentally set free by the Fantastic Four when they crash-landed the ship on a remote island. While Reed and Sue take off in a jet to find help, Ben and Johnny are attacked by Dreadface. Ben sets off an explosion, destroying the symbiote. Of interest is the fact that while Dreadface showed a weakness to Johny's flames, when he had taken Johny as a host he gained the Torch's immunity to his own fire. This appeared to occur due to Dreadface pulling the symbiote back from the parts of Torch's body that were aflame, while retaining control over his mind. Dreadface's appearance is very similar to that of Venom's incarnation in the year 2099, though lacking the spider symbol and the monstrous tongue. *'''[[Anti-Venom (comics)|Anti-Venom]] ====Well-known hosts of other symbiotes==== *'''[[Vance Astro]]''' in the Guardians of the Galaxy alternate future (Earth-691), gains a black symbiote (in "GOTG" # 46) which he continues to wear (at least as of his last appearance in New Warriors). *'''[[Rune (comics)|Rune]]''' In Rune vs. Venom #1, Rune wears a symbiote for much of the story and then after separating from it, eats the symbiote and changes his appearance (losing hair and becoming apparently stronger). *'''[[Captain America]]''' in one panel of the Planet of the Symbiotes storyline, in his armored costume, appears on a TV wearing a symbiote. *'''[[New Avengers|The New Avengers]]''' ('''[[Echo (comics)|Echo]]''', '''[[Dr. Strange]]''', '''[[Ronin (Marvel Comics)|Ronin]]''', '''[[Iron Fist (comics)|Iron Fist]]''', '''[[Wolverine]]''', and '''[[Spider-Man]]''' himself) and some '''[[Mighty Avengers]]''' ('''[[Wasp (comics)|Wasp]]''', '''[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]''', '''[[Black Widow (comics)|Black Widow]]''') get symbiotes when they visit Stark Towers during a symbiote invasion. *'''Scorpion II''', '''[[Carmilla Black]]''', used her powers to absorb Venom's webbing and become a 'neo-symbiote' (Spiderman Family #3). *'''[[Deadpool]]''' was momentarily taken over by multiple symbiotes (much like '''[[Hybrid (Venom Spawn)|Hybrid]]''') in the Dinosaur Symbiotes arc Cable and Deadpool #50. ====Non-human species hosts==== *'''[[Gray Wolf]]''' (''Canis lupus'') by the Venom clone *'''[[Common Raven]]''' (''Corvus corax'') by the Venom clone *'''[[Dog]]''' (''Canis lupus familiaris'') during Planet of the Symbiotes and again (a cocker spaniel) in the 'Venom Virus' story in Mighty Avengers #8 *'''[[Gorilla]]''' (''Gorilla sp.'') by Dreadface * Several species of dinosaurs during the recent symbiote invasion of New York (Cable & Deadpool #49-50) including Pteranodon, Amargasaurus, Triceratops and several dromeosaurids ("velociraptors"). * A Cybertronian robot, '''[[Optimus Prime]]''', had a symbiote attempt to bond with him In Transformers Generation 2 #3, but it failed. It took on a spider-like form, perhaps a hint that it was the infamous Venom Symbiote. **After Optimus Prime rejects the 'parasite' by sheer force of will, he claims that it has no physical substance, but rather is some sort of psychic-energy lifeform. It's ability to infect the Transformers while they are still in orbit above the parasites' planet in the K'Toro Nebula may support this conclusion. The fact that it appears as a black fluid, clearly manifests as the shadow of a spider, feeds on rage, and appears to increase the durability of its hosts can't be ignored however. At the very least, the organism is an homage to the traditional Marvel symbiotes. * Unnamed six-armed alien species during Planet of the Symbiotes * Unnamed alien species with trumpet-like head projections during flashback in Planet of the Symbiotes ==Active and inactive symbiotes== The activity of the symbiotes and their hosts vary. *'''Venom''': The Venom symbiote's host is currently [[Mac Gargan|The Scorpion]] (Mac Gargan), member of the Thunderbolts. Roman in Marvel 2099, somewhere in the oceans, possibly New Atlantis. *'''Carnage''': Unknown; the [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]] ripped the Carnage symbiote in two, but Cletus Kasady may not have been wearing the suit. *'''Scream''': Active but unknown location *'''Hybrid''': Active but unknown location *'''She Venom II''': Unknown, Venom absorbed Patricia's symbiote and it is likely she is deceased. *'''Toxin''': Active but unknown location; member of the Initiative. *'''Dreadface''': Believed deceased but appeared in cameo in Fantastic Four Foes #1. *'''Iron Man's Battleworld Suit''': Deceased. It is unknown whether this alien being was of the same species as the Spider-Man symbiotes (not likely but possible). During the ''Secret Wars'', [[Iron Man]] also received part of an alien suit on the [[Battleworld]]. After it began to malfunction, he discarded it on the moon. The alien survived, but it was later killed by [[Quasar (comics)|Quasar]] *'''Anti-Venom'''*:Active,unknown identity or location. ==Mighty Avengers== Angel Medina claims he was reluctant to start work on [[Mighty Avengers]] because he was working on a Venom project, only to be told he would be drawing a story with "the Avengers vs. an alien invasion -- by the Venoms." <ref>[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0701/29/angelmedina.htm Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con: Angel Medina on Mighty Avengers]</ref> Whether this will mean a return to the Planet of the Symbiotes or an invasion of a symbiote named Carnage This Arc was later confirmed to be drawn by [[Mark Bagley]], as Medina would be unavailable. <ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=107221 Mark Bagley to become Mark Mighty]</ref> Solicitations state that the New Avengers will also be part of this Arc, themselves becoming infested by Symbiotes. New Avengers #34 revealed that Doctor Doom is responsible for dropping a "chemical bomb" on New York that unleashes the Symbiotes. The story was completed in Mighty Avengers #8. ==Ultimate symbiotes== In the [[Ultimate Spider-Man]] universe, the symbiote has vastly changed. The fathers of [[Ultimate Spider-Man|Peter Parker]] and [[Venom (Eddie Brock)|Eddie Brock Jr.]] had created the suit as a protoplasmic cure for cancer. The first stage would be to cover the host's body and eliminate a disease in the patient's body. Stage Two would involve the suit enhancing the wearer's strength and natural abilities. The suit was unfinished as [[Bolivar Trask]] stole the project from the scientists, but Eddie Brock Sr. saved a small sample for his son to find. Peter Parker first tries the suit on and ends up with the well-known black costume. The suit vastly increases his strength and agility, allows him to heal from gunshot wounds, and use part of the protoplasm to make "webs." However, under stress, the wearer suddenly turns into the Venom monster. Also in the Ultimate Universe, it seems as if the only weakness of the suit is extreme voltage of electricity, as it absorbed the [[Shocker (comics)#Ultimate Shocker|Shocker]]'s vibrations with no trouble; indeed, Peter found them relaxing. Peter used enough electricity to get the suit off him before it merged with him permanently. It almost killed him, which goes to show the strength and attachment between the two. When "worn" by a being other than Peter Parker, the host is compelled to seek out and devour other human beings or else be consumed by the suit itself, presumably due to the suit breaking down on the genetic level due to incompatible DNA patterns between itself and the host. After the suit absorbed the revived "Carnage" creature, presumably a trace-element of itself left behind after Peter Parker escaped it, this need to feed apparently vanished. ==In other media== ===Television=== *[[Scream (comics)|Scream]] appears as one of the villains in [[Universal Orlando]]'s [[Islands of Adventure]] [[The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man]] ride. *In ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]]'', the [[Venom (comics)|Venom]] symbiote is brought to earth by [[John Jameson (comics)|John Jameson]]. Both [[Venom (Eddie Brock)|Venom]] and [[Carnage (comics)|Carnage]] appear in the series. *The black suit has been confirmed to appear in the final arc of season one of [[The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)|''The Spectacular Spider-Man'']]. The black symbiote suit resembles the movie version down to the webbing and spider symbol in it's initial appearance and but eventually resembled the comic-book "all black" look. Peter wore the suit for multiple episodes.<ref>[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0801/21/index.htm Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Monday, January 21, 2008<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the end of the episode "The Uncertainty Principle", the symbiote was found on the ship of John Jameson and his crew. In the following episode "Persona," the symbiote was taken to Empire State University in the care of Dr. Curt Connors, AKA Lizard. The Black Cat was found by Spiderman trying to steal the symbiote for an as of yet unknown employer. During the fight between the two, the symbiote escaped and bonded to Spiderman's costume, introducing the black suit, which at this point was similar to that in Spider-Man 3, an exact replica of the original suit, only black with a white spider logo. The symbiote enhanced Spider-Man's original abilities as well as making organic webbing out of its own mass, as it did in the comics. The effects of the symbiote on Peter's psyche was first observed when he tried to tell Captain Stacy that the symbiote had attached itself to his costume. The symbiote convinced him to keep the costume so they could "help people." In the next episode, "Group Therapy," the symbiote continued to work with Peter. It's major effect on Peter in the episode was observed when Peter fell asleep and the symbiote actually took over his body and fought the Sinister Six in Central Park. The symbiote is also somewhat responsible for Peter not realizing his Aunt May had had a heart attack in the episode. By the end of this episode, Peter realized the symbiote had fought the Six when he saw the newspaper on his front porch, but addressed the situation good as long as the money was good. He also realized that the life form was in fact a symbiote. This was the first time the symbiote was addressed as such. At this same point, he addressed himself as "we," under the influence of the symbiote. In the episode "Intervention," the symbiote is detached from Peter, who drew strength from his memories of [[Uncle Ben]] and is joined to Eddie Brock (former best friend of Peter Parker) and becomes Venom, setting the stage for the season finale, "Nature or Nurture." The black suit gradually changed throughout its appearances. In the first episode it appeared in, it was a replica of the original costume, only black with a white spider and webbing pattern, as stated before. In the next episode it appeared in, the webbing had begun to fade and the spider had gotten larger, getting more like the comics version. New screenshots from the episode "Interventions" have shown the original costume from the comics, with a solid black costume (no webbing) and a large white spider like that of the comics version. This suit pattern has shown to be transferred exactly to Eddie Brock in the Venom costume. Spider-Man eventually defeats the Symbiote by tricking it into leaving Eddie by pretending to want to rejoin with it. After successfully deflecting the Symbiote's assimilation assault, Spider-Man captures it and dumps it in cement at a local construction site. ===Video games=== *In [[Spider-Man (2000 video game)|the first Playstation Spider-Man game]], Doc Ock and Carnage team up to try and unleash a symbiote army onto the whole city. The spawned symbiotes are host-less and pink in color. Venom also appears in a supporting role. *In [[Spider-Man 3 (video game)|the Spider-Man 3 video game]], Shriek and Morbius appear. Shriek's powers come from a symbiote in this game which is also black in color. However the symbiote only covers half of her body. She apparently had an attraction to Spider-Man in his black suit, most likely due to her being affected with another symbiote. This is only found on the Wii/PS2 versions of the game. *In [[Spider-Man: Web of Shadows|Web of Shadows]], Venom returns to New York to send and unleash his invasion of symbiotes to rule the city. Spider-Man gets attracted by another symbiote and the black suit reappears. ===Film=== <!--PER WIKIPEDIA'S GUIDELINES AND POLICIES REGARDING PLOTS, PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANYMORE INFORMATION TO THIS PLOT. THANK YOU. !--> In the 2007 [[film]] ''[[Spider-Man 3]]'', as in the comics, the symbiote attaches itself to Spider-Man first, but instead of giving him his classic black costume (like in the comics), it gives his red & blue costume a new, black color, with his usual webbing pattern on it and a slightly different spider symbol. After Spider-Man discovers the symbiote's true nature and realizes that it seeks to bond with him completely and take over his life, he separates himself from the symbiote by tearing off his black costume in an active church bell-tower. The symbiote then moves to [[Venom (Eddie Brock)|Eddie Brock, Jr.]], and the merger becomes Venom. The symbiote is revealed to have crashed down to Earth via a meteorite and clung onto the back of Peter's moped at the very start of the film, before their bonding. [[Image:Venomconceptart.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Concept art of the [[Venom (Eddie Brock)|Venom]] suit, which possesses a webbing motif, unlike the comics, in order to show the symbiote's control and represent the character as a twisted [[foil (literature)|foil]] to Spider-Man.]] Venom appears similar to the comic book version, but with a disorganized web-pattern on his costume. He fires webbing from the top of his hands, as in the comics, but his webbing is black in color and resembles barbed wire. The Symbiote is also seen crawling across the ground, rather than flowing like liquid as its comic counterpart does. In the ''Spider-Man 3'' novelization by [[Peter David]], the symbiote forms into a large and hostless Venom-like creature that grows from Eddie's remains and grows around the construction site pulling itself upwards. Here it attempts to rebond itself to Spider-Man. In the film, Dr. Curtis Connors analyzes a small sample of the symbiote at Peter's request. While he has no idea precisely what it is, he notes that it is similar to a symbiote and upon further testing, later reveals to Peter that the substance amplifies the darker qualities of its host (specifically aggression). At the end of ''Spider-Man 3'', Peter destroys the Venom symbiote with a pumpkin bomb. ==See also== *[[Black oil]] : Creation of the TV series ''[[The X-Files]]'' that represents an alien entity/life force/virus. It appears as a liquid with the consistency of [[Petroleum|crude oil]], can move on its own, and is sentient. *[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]], wears a symbiotic costume. == References == <references/> == External links == *[http://spiderman.wikia.com/wiki/Symbiote Symbiote on the Spider-Man Wiki] {{Spider-Man}} {{Spider-Man film series}} [[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial species]] [[Category:Spider-Man]] [[it:Venom (fumetto)]] [[nl:Symbioot]] [[ja:シンビオート]] [[fi:Symbiootti (sarjakuvat)]]