A new symbiote has made its debut in Marvel Comics, and it makes iconic symbiotes like Venom and Carnage look pathetic. Since Venom's inception in the '80s, a wide array of symbiotes have made a mark in the Marvel Universe, but the newest alien to make its debut may be the most powerful yet. While little is known about the hulking, red and black Bedlam, its imposing size (even by symbiote standards) and apparent powers could make for one gargantuan alien threat.
In Venom #4, by Ram V and Bryan Hitch, Eddie Brock, the longtime human host of Venom, is dead, with the symbiote still alive and looking for Eddie's son. Despite an attack from the Life Foundation lackey Spearhead, Venom manages to escape and save Dylan from his captivity in an Alchemax facility, merging with him in the process. Meanwhile, the mysterious symbiotic entity Meridius, who claims to be an ally of Eddie, is catching up longtime Venom villain Carlton Drake on the activities of Venom and Dylan. Looking to test the power of Venom and its new host, Meridius summons the hulking symbiote Bedlam, instructing it to "scare the boy a little."
While little is known about this new symbiote, Bedlam is already looking like a force to be reckoned with, having been teased back in the first issue as a major upcoming threat. There have been dozens of symbiotes who have come and gone in the Marvel Universe, but none so far as iconic as Venom and Carnage. The imposing black and white Venom has stood the test of time longer than any other symbiote, utilizing the basic aesthetic of a bulked-up Spider-Man to go from imposing villain to lethal hero to the King in Black, one of the most powerful entities in the universe. Carnage, the spawn of Venom, has been his father's most consistent foil, being smaller in size but infinitely more vicious, especially when bonded to serial killer Cletus Kasady. However, Meridius appears to have access to all time and space, so the fact he chooses Bedlam (and that the symbiote looks like a mix of Venom and Carnage) makes it clear it's a step up from former threats.
The strange entity Meridius met Eddie in the distant future, after his physical form was destroyed and his consciousness entered the symbiote hive-mind. Meridius initially appeared to ally himself with Eddie, promising him his journey was just beginning and he'd be next to him along the way. Despite this, Meridius has shown himself to be in league with Carlton Drake, who is carrying out dark experiments on symbiote lifeforms. If Meridius has intentions to destroy Venom, and has the benefit of being from the distant future, he would know exactly what it takes to end him. Thankfully, Meridius' plans so far seem aimed at manipulation over execution, but he appears to have no doubts Bedlam can handle the new Venom.
Regardless of his yet-to-be-revealed origins, Bedlam is terrifying. He's bigger than Venom, more disgusting than Carnage and under the command of a cosmic entity from the future, who seemingly has access to the symbiote hive-mind. There are still tons of questions surrounding the newest symbiote to fall into Venom's orbit, but one thing's for sure; Carnage has new competition as Marvel's scariest symbiote.