The symbiote saga is never simple, and for a character as iconic and ever-evolving as Venom, "current" can feel like a constantly shifting target. If you've been grappling with tendrils of confusion trying to keep up with Eddie Brock, Dylan Brock, and the entire cosmic carnival that is the Venomverse right now, you're not alone. The recent years have seen the Venom mantle – and its host – undergo some truly seismic shifts, expanding its lore into the deepest corners of the Marvel cosmos and the most intricate depths of time.
This isn't just a monster-of-the-week setup anymore; it's a sprawling, multi-generational epic that reshapes everything you thought you knew about symbiotes and their place in the universe. Understanding the current Venom landscape means embracing a narrative that juggles cosmic horror, time travel paradoxes, and intensely personal struggles for identity and destiny.
At a Glance: What's Happening in the Venomverse
- Dylan Brock is Your Main Man (on Earth): Eddie Brock's son, Dylan, is currently the primary Venom, navigating high school, superheroics, and a deeply complicated relationship with his inherited, sentient suit.
- Eddie Brock is the King in Black (and a Time Traveler): Eddie transcended his mortal coil during King in Black and now exists as the cosmic protector of the symbiote hive, traversing time and space, battling threats to the very fabric of existence.
- The "Eventuality" is a Big Deal: A complex, looming concept that suggests all symbiote hosts are linked across time, culminating in a single, ultimate future. Eddie's journey is heavily tied into this.
- Meridius and the Garden of Time: These enigmatic entities are key to Eddie's cosmic adventures, representing potential future versions or aspects of Eddie himself, playing a long, dangerous game.
- Less Straightforward, More Cosmic: The current narrative is far more sci-fi and cosmic horror than street-level villainy, challenging readers with deep lore and philosophical questions.
The Symbiotic Renaissance: Tracing Venom's Modern Ascendance
To truly grasp the "current" state of Venom, we need to acknowledge the groundbreaking work that paved its way. Donny Cates's run on Venom, which began in 2018, wasn't just a hit; it was a complete reinvention. Cates took Venom from an anti-hero to a cosmic powerhouse, introducing Knull, the primordial God of the Symbiotes. This arc escalated through events like Absolute Carnage and culminated in the universe-altering King in Black.
King in Black fundamentally reshaped the character by elevating Eddie Brock to the status of the new King in Black, guardian of the symbiote hive mind across all creation. This wasn't merely a promotion; it was a transformation that transcended physical form, planting the seeds for the convoluted, yet compelling, journey Eddie is now on. This era also firmly established Dylan Brock, Eddie's son, as a character with immense potential, destined to carry a significant part of the symbiotic legacy. You can explore all new Venom comics through this transformative period and see how the stage was set for everything that followed.
Venom's New Era: Dylan Brock Takes the Reigns (And the Tentacles)
In the wake of King in Black, the ongoing Venom series, initially helmed by Al Ewing and Ram V, shifted focus dramatically. While Eddie Brock ascended to his cosmic throne, his son, Dylan, found himself Earth's reluctant new Venom. This transition wasn't smooth. Dylan, still a teenager, is grappling with his identity, his father's overwhelming legacy, and the immense power of the Venom symbiote.
Dylan's Venom is distinct from Eddie's. He doesn't share Eddie's past as a hardened journalist or a former villain. Instead, Dylan brings a youthful vulnerability and a different kind of moral compass to the symbiote bond. He struggles with the suit's instincts, its capacity for violence, and the weight of being a hero (or anti-hero) while trying to navigate high school and typical teenage angst. The narrative often places Dylan in impossible situations, testing his resolve and challenging his understanding of good and evil. His journey is about proving himself worthy of the mantle, not just in the eyes of the world, but in his own.
Eddie Brock: King in Black... and Beyond Time
Meanwhile, Eddie Brock's story takes a mind-bending turn into the farthest reaches of time and space. As the new King in Black, he's tasked with protecting the entire symbiote hive. However, his new cosmic existence isn't a peaceful retirement. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a temporal loop, continuously dying and being reborn in different forms and eras, all within the "Garden of Time."
This sprawling narrative, primarily driven by Al Ewing, delves deep into concepts of causality, destiny, and identity. Eddie encounters various versions of himself across different timelines ��� some allies, some terrifying adversaries like Meridius and Bedlam. These figures are not just alternate Eddies; they represent the terrifying potential and splintered psyche of a man grappling with godlike power and an eternity of existence. The core mystery revolves around the "Eventuality" – a concept implying that all of Eddie's temporal selves are converging towards a singular, terrifying future or outcome. His journey is less about physical combat and more about unraveling existential puzzles and fighting against his own splintered fate.
The Garden of Time and the Eventuality Explained
Imagine a cosmic nexus where all potential futures of the King in Black converge. That's the Garden of Time. It's not a physical place in the traditional sense, but a conceptual space that Eddie, in his King in Black form, navigates. Within this "garden," he encounters fragmented versions of himself, including:
- Meridius: A future, seemingly villainous, and highly manipulative version of Eddie, who appears to be orchestrating events from behind the scenes, playing a cosmic chess game with his past selves.
- Bedlam: Another powerful, destructive iteration of Eddie, embodying his darker, more violent impulses.
- Other Symbiote Hosts: Even Venom itself (or versions of it) takes on different forms and hosts in these temporal loops.
The Eventuality is the ultimate convergence point for all these temporal Eddies. It's the grand design, the predestined role Eddie is meant to fulfill as the King in Black, which may or may not be something he desires. This complex web of temporal paradoxes and self-confrontation forms the backbone of Eddie's current cosmic saga, making it one of the most intricate and ambitious narratives in Marvel comics right now.
Navigating the Venomverse: Key Arcs and Events Post-King in Black
Since the monumental King in Black event, the Venom ongoing series and its tie-ins have expanded the lore in several fascinating directions:
- "Carnage Reigns" and Dark Web Tie-ins: While the main Venom series kept its focus on Eddie's cosmic journey and Dylan's struggles, the character naturally intersected with major Marvel events. The Dark Web storyline saw Dylan dealing with Limbo's influence and the demonic machinations affecting New York. The subsequent "Carnage Reigns" crossover further explored the ever-present threat of Cletus Kasady, albeit with a new, horrifying twist involving an extremist cult. These events served to ground Dylan's story in the broader Marvel Universe while his father was off-world.
- The Reign of the King in Black (Eddie's Cosmic Journey): This ongoing storyline is where Eddie's journey through time and his encounters with Meridius, Bedlam, and the mysteries of the Eventuality truly unfold. It's a high-concept sci-fi saga that explores the nature of free will, destiny, and what it means to be a god. Readers follow Eddie as he tries to piece together the truth of his fractured existence and the looming threat to the entire symbiote hive.
- Ongoing Mysteries: The current run, particularly under Torunn Grønbekk (who took over writing duties from Al Ewing for some arcs), continues to explore the profound implications of Eddie's temporal existence and Dylan's role on Earth. Threads related to the "Cult of Knull" and other symbiote threats often surface, ensuring a constant stream of challenges for both father and son.
Who Else Wears the Symbiote? Supporting Cast and Spin-offs
The Venom family extends far beyond Eddie and Dylan. The nature of the symbiotes, being able to bond with various hosts, means there's a rich supporting cast and a history of spin-off characters:
- She-Venom (Anne Weying): Eddie's ex-wife and Dylan's mother, Anne has had her own complicated history with the Venom symbiote. Her return, albeit in a more supporting role, adds another layer of personal drama and history to Dylan's struggle, as he grapples with the creature that bonded with both his parents.
- Agent Venom (Flash Thompson): Though Flash's time as Agent Venom (and later Anti-Venom) ended tragically, his legacy is often referenced. He remains a beloved character for many Venom fans, representing a different era of the symbiote's heroic endeavors.
- Other Symbiotes: The broader "Venomverse" is full of other symbiote-bonded characters, from Scream to Mania. While not always central to the main Venom title, these characters often appear in tie-ins or limited series, expanding the scope of the symbiote mythology.
- Extreme Venomverse & Venomverse: These limited series explore alternate reality versions of Venom, often featuring popular Marvel characters bonding with symbiotes. They're great for exploring "what if" scenarios and showcasing the versatility of the Venom concept, without directly impacting the main ongoing continuity.
Decoding the Symbiotic Lore: Essential Concepts You Need to Know
Understanding the current Venom comics requires a familiarity with some key terms and ideas that have been established or expanded upon in recent years:
- Klyntar: This is the original, benevolent species of symbiotes. They traditionally seek to bond with noble hosts to create cosmic knights. Knull twisted their nature, corrupting many into parasitic entities.
- Knull (The God of the Symbiotes): The primordial entity of the void, creator of the symbiotes, and a being of pure darkness. Though seemingly defeated in King in Black, his influence and legacy still reverberate through the Venomverse, driving many of the ongoing conflicts.
- The Symbiote Hive Mind: All symbiotes are connected to a vast, psychic network. As King in Black, Eddie can command this hive, but it also exposes him to its collective pain and memory.
- Codex: A term referring to the residual imprint a symbiote leaves on its host's DNA. It's a key element in connecting hosts to the hive mind, even after the symbiote departs. Dylan Brock's unique genetic makeup, as the son of a symbiote-bonded human, makes him particularly important in this regard.
These concepts are crucial because they move Venom beyond a simple alien suit into a complex, almost mythological entity, intrinsically linked to the cosmic fabric of the Marvel Universe.
Jumping On: Your Guide to the Current Venom Reading Order
The current Venom run can be a bit intimidating due to its cosmic scope and temporal jumps. Here's a suggested approach for diving in:
- Start with Donny Cates's Venom (2018-2021): This is foundational. Read the entire run, including Absolute Carnage and King in Black. It will give you all the necessary context for Eddie's transformation and Dylan's introduction.
- Move to Al Ewing & Ram V's Venom (Vol. 5, 2021-Present): This is where the story splits.
- For Dylan's Story (Earth-based): Focus on the Ram V issues (later Torunn Grønbekk) that show Dylan as Venom, his high school life, and his encounters with Earth-bound threats. These tend to be more straightforward superhero action.
- For Eddie's Story (Cosmic/Temporal): Follow the Al Ewing issues that delve into Eddie's King in Black status, the Garden of Time, Meridius, and the Eventuality. Be prepared for more abstract, high-concept storytelling.
- Consider Tie-ins (Optional but Recommended): Events like Dark Web and Carnage Reigns saw Dylan's Venom play significant roles. If you want the full picture of Dylan's Earthly adventures, these are worth seeking out.
The beauty of the current setup is that while Eddie's cosmic journey is incredibly complex, Dylan's more grounded adventures offer a familiar entry point, allowing you to gradually ease into the larger mythology.
Common Questions for New Symbiote Seekers
Navigating the current Venom landscape can raise a lot of questions. Here are some answers to common queries:
Q: Is Eddie Brock still Venom?
A: Not on Earth as the primary host. Eddie Brock is now the cosmic King in Black, and his son, Dylan, is the main Venom on Earth. Eddie's journey is much grander and more abstract, involving time travel and existential threats.
Q: Do I need to read King in Black to understand the current series?
A: Absolutely. King in Black is the direct catalyst for everything happening now. It's where Eddie becomes the King in Black and sets up Dylan as Venom. Without it, the motivations and status quo will be incredibly confusing.
Q: Who is Meridius? Is he good or bad?
A: Meridius is an enigmatic, powerful, and seemingly villainous future version of Eddie Brock. His intentions are shrouded in mystery, but he appears to be manipulating Eddie's temporal journey towards a specific, unsettling "Eventuality." Whether he's truly evil or acting for a "greater good" is a core mystery.
Q: Is the Venom symbiote still evil?
A: The Venom symbiote itself is a complex entity. It has its own desires and instincts, which can sometimes be violent. However, under Dylan's influence, and with Eddie's cosmic connection as King in Black, it's generally portrayed as striving for more heroic actions, though it remains a powerful and sometimes dangerous force.
Q: What happened to Knull? Is he coming back?
A: Knull was seemingly defeated by Eddie Brock during King in Black. While he hasn't returned directly, his influence, legacy, and the cults dedicated to him continue to pose threats, and the possibility of his return is always a hanging thread in the Venomverse.
What's Next for the King and the Kid? Looking Ahead
The current Venom series, especially Eddie Brock's cosmic escapades, thrives on mystery and long-form storytelling. The central question remains whether Eddie can escape his predestined "Eventuality" and truly take control of his fate as the King in Black. His journey promises more encounters with alternate selves, more revelations about the nature of the symbiote hive, and potentially a confrontation with the ultimate truth of his existence.
For Dylan, the path ahead involves solidifying his identity as Venom, proving himself a worthy hero in his own right, and navigating a world that often sees him as a monster. His struggles will likely continue to bring him into conflict with Earth-based threats, while also occasionally connecting him to his father's cosmic battles. The strength of the current Venom run lies in its dual narrative, offering both grounded superhero action and mind-bending cosmic drama, ensuring that whether you prefer street-level fights or universe-spanning sagas, there's a symbiote story for you.
Your Next Symbiotic Saga Awaits
Diving into the current Venom comic series and arcs is an adventurous undertaking, but it's one filled with rich storytelling, character evolution, and jaw-dropping cosmic scope. It's a testament to how deeply a comic book character can be reinvented while staying true to its core appeal. Whether you're drawn to Dylan's struggle for identity or Eddie's existential cosmic voyage, the Venomverse is currently a vibrant, complex, and incredibly rewarding place for any comic reader. So grab a new issue, buckle up, and prepare to get tangled in the thrilling, ever-expanding web of Venom's destiny.