Warning, this article contains spoilers for Venom #3.

Marvel's symbiotes are a species of intelligent lifeforms from another planet that thrives when bonded with a "host". This species is known as the Klyntar. Most famously, symbiotes have bonded with Peter Parker, Eddie Brock, and Cletus Kasady. The symbiote species transformed these humans into characters such as Symbiote/Black Suit Spiderman, Venom, and Carnage, granting them incredible power. But, where did the symbiotes come from? The answer is Knull.

Eddie Brock is the most recurring host of the black symbiote in the comics. The black symbiote had an offspring, the red symbiote. This red symbiote fused with a serial killer named Cletus Kasady transforming him into the vicious Spiderman villain known as Carnage. As powerful as the black and red symbiotes are, Marvel has been working to introduce an even stronger entity, the creator of symbiotes. So where does Knull The Symbiote God fit into all this?

Related: Is Venom a Hero or Villain in Marvel's Universe?

Knull is a being so ancient that he has experienced everything to ever happen from before the beginning of the universe. A being so powerful he once killed a Celestial. Knull created the first symbiote in the form of a sword called All-Black the Necrosword with the intent of rivaling the Celestials. He eventually created an artificial planet that would serve as home to the symbiotes he created such as the black symbiote that bonded with Peter Parker and Eddie Brock. The symbiote species the Klyntar rebelled against their creator after learning of justice from hosts they bonded with. Venom first meets The God of Symbiotes in Venom #3, where Knull easily strips the black symbiote from Eddie. In this first meeting Knull explains that they are seeing his vessel but he is actually far away.

Knull also appeared in Donny Cates and Tradd Moore's Silver Surfer Black series, serving as the primary villain who nearly killed the hero.

In the most recent Venom story arc, Eddie Brock informs The Avengers that Knull The God of Symbiotes is coming to earth. The recent X-Men storyline has also teased a tie-in related to Knull. The next Avenger-level threat is coming to earth and he has the power that rivals the Celestials, creators of the universe. Heroes of the Marvel comic universe must join to combat this near-omnipotent being in a huge event that will be called King in Black. A reawakened Knull is coming to Earth. This plays into the expansion of the greater cosmic adventures that Marvel is shifting towards. Venom's progenitor is coming to plunge the earth into the darkness he craves so greatly.

Next: Marvel's Most Sinister Villain Just Got His Own Symbiote