Symbiote antiheroVenomhas always been a little weird and gross, and that’s part of what makes him so interesting and/or terrifying. As the Venom War heats up, his appearance reaches new heights of horror, as seen in official Marvel variant covers, courtesy of superstar artist Peach Momoko.
The ultimate showdown of Daddy issues,Venom War started as a battlebetween Eddie Brock and his son, Dylan. Both Brocks have wielded the Venom symbiote, and each one believesthe other will end the world if they bond with the symbiote once more.
Peach Momoko, Chris Giarrusso, Joshua Cassara, John Giang, Clayton Crain
Venoms versus Zombiotes!
As the war for control of the Venom symbiote rages, the threat of the zombiote hordes has only grown – and now it is impossible to ignore! But that doesn’t mean the war is over…in this issue, another contender for champion is taken off the board!
Marvel’s November solicits revealed the covers for the final two issues of the mainVenom Warminiseries, including variant covers in the beautiful yet frightening style of Peach Momoko. In both, the effects of the war can be seen on Venom himself, as he looks more bloated, misformed, and sinewy than ever.
Peach Momoko’s Style Is Perfect for Venom
Peach Momoko’sstyle lives in its own category. It’s visceral and terrifying, but the watercolor appearance gives her pieces their own sense of beauty. The artist didn’t originally intend to work in comics, but as she and her husband started attending comic conventions, she eventually was introduced to Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. Her work on iconic variant covers turned intoDemon DaysandDemon Wars, books thatmerged Marvel characters with Japanese folklore, called the “Momokoverse.“These layers to her work make her a perfect artist for Venom,a character who is horrifying, but also can be funny, powerful, friendly, or even sexy.
Peach Momoko, Chris Giarrusso, Martin Coccolo, Kyle Hotz, Clayton Crain
Who is the last Venom standing?
There is just one battle remaining in the war for control of the Venom symbiote…and the victory leaves both host and symbiote forever changed! The time is nigh to end the war, decimate all the forces arrayed against them, and set the stage for an all-new Venom the likes of which no one has ever seen!
Venom Waris also a great time to bring Peach Momoko in to work on him. Venom is being pulled in multiple directions, as his human friends fight over bonding with him, while there’s an invasion of other,very strong symbiotes.That doesn’t even get to zombiotes,a variant unleashed by an evil temporal version of Eddie Brock that not only takes over humans, but twists them into zombified monsters. Even Wolverine has fallen to one of these creatures, twisted into a terrifying alien killing machine. The entire story seems tailor-made for Peach Momoko’s style.
While the Venom films have had their own fun and charm, they usually don’t seriously engage with the horror of the character. Some of his scarier aspects are played for comedy, so even with all the CGI budget in the world,a version of Venom that resembles Peach Momoko’s art isn’t likely on screen.In many ways, that’s what makes her art so special -it’s not like anyone else’s style, and it’s not something you see in other types of media.Venomis a very malleable character, merging with many people and heroes, and only in her hands does his horror truly shine.
Venom War#4will be released on November 6, andVenom War#5will be released on November 27, from Marvel Comics.
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.
