Want to know more about Morbius the Living Vampire ahead of his solo movie starring Jared Leto? With a trailer that feels more like a straight horror instead of a comic book movie, the film has more than enough comics from Morbius' history for the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters to choose from
Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in 1971 in Amazing Spider-Man #101, Michael Morbius, the former award-winning biochemist became a unique yet familiar monster when an experimental treatment cure to cure him of a rare blood disease failed. He would become a consistent foe and occasional ally of Spider-Man and his popularity had him crossover with other Marvel titles and characters, eventually earning his own solo series more than once. If you're unfamiliar with the character outside of his appearance in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, here are some good suggestions to acquaint yourself with Morbius: The Living Vampire.
Amazing Spider-Man #101-102 (1971): The First Appearance
Interestingly enough, this story was not only Michael Morbius' introduction but also the first Spider-Man storyline to be written without Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee. In the story, Morbius' combination of mixed vampire bat DNA and electroshock therapy mutated the scientist into becoming a pseudo-vampire; one who shared similar traits and characteristics to traditional vampires but obtained his powers through science instead of supernatural means. He gained flight, superhuman strength and speed and an advanced healing factor along with immunity to most vampire weaknesses except a strong aversion to sunlight. His already unattractive appearance mutated further to mimic the appearance of a fanged and ungodly pale vampire and the need to consume human blood caused him to murder his longtime friend and assistant Emil Nikos and threaten the life of his girlfriend, Martine Bancroft. He couldn't bring himself to kill her and instead fled where he would eventually end up in New York. Eventually, his actions caught the attention of Spider-Man which would start the first of many confrontations between Morbius and the ol' Webhead.
Adventure into Fear #30-31 (1975): Vampire Consequences
In this bi-monthly anthology series, Morbius started to appear less like a traditional villain and more like an anti-hero as he fought cults, monsters, and even foes from other dimensions and planets. Near the end of the series, he and his allies which included his ex-girlfriend Martine and rogue CIA agent Simon Shroud faced a large group of vampires who had been turned by Morbius himself. Confronted with the consequences of his blood lust, it is revealed that his victims are pseudo-vampires like himself but of a weaker variation. Their vampirism can be cured by an antidote which comes in handy, as Martine is bitten during the battle and turned. Although she is eventually cured, the reality and guilt of his actions cause Michael to flee, escaping prosecution for his crimes by Simon and paving the way for his eventual return to New York.
Spectacular Spider-Man #38 (1980): Damned by Lightning
Once back in the Big Apple, Morbius' actions attract the attention of Spider-Man. The two would consistently battle due to a misguided belief that Spider-Man's irradiated blood will be able to cure Morbius of his condition. During the battle, Morbius is struck by a bolt of lightning. He manages to survive and finds himself cured. This story-line was continued in Savage She-Hulk #9-11 where the now human Michael Morbius is indicted on murder charges where he is represented by Jennifer Walters who is struggling with her secret identity as She-Hulk. We discover that the lightning did not cure Morbius of his thirst for blood and as his trial is full of courtroom drama and condemnation from his victim's families, he works on a serum that will completely cure him. He is successful but instead chooses to use the serum to save She-Hulk's life. Morbius is sentenced to 3-5 years incarceration despite multiple capital murder charges. Without a successful serum, he eventually reverts back to his previous condition as a vampire.
Peter Parker, Spider-Man #78-80 (1997): Betrayal
During this story arc, Morbius is approached by Dr. Andrea Jansen, a hematologist familiar with Michael's case who believes she can cure him. After his latest battle with Spider-Man, he agrees to go with her but finds himself betrayed and experimented on in a secret lab on a private island. Andrea is under the employ of Loxias Crown, a super-powered Hydra agent seeking to weaponize Morbius' blood for Hydra's purposes. With the assistance from Spider-Man and other heroes, Morbius thwarts Crown's plans and seemingly perishes during their final confrontation aboard an exploding Hydra airship. Both characters would reappear sometime later where it was revealed that Morbius had turned Crown into a pseudo-vampire like himself but with a similar power set.
Each of these stories details Michael Morbius' backstory and motivations that would lead him down the path of no return and introduce characters that will be featured in the upcoming film such as Martine Bancroft portrayed by Adria Arjona, Loxias Crown played by Matt Smith and Tyrese Gibson cast as Simon Shroud. Naturally, the characterization and their relationship to Jared Leto's Morbius can and most likely will differ compared to their comic book counterparts. However, if executed well enough to get good responses from fans and critics, Morbius could be just the first taste for other lesser-known Marvel projects to come.