Eddie Brock may have lost his famous symbiote, but the Venom series will welcome yet another new cosmic figure to the Marvel Universe, as Virus spreads across spider-inspired titles from Marvel Comics this May.
At Marvel’s Next Big Thing Panel during the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), the Venom creative team revealed the infectious new character, Virus, set to play a major role in the new story arc titled “Venom Beyond.” Symbiote-scribe Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman were on hand to tease their soon to be unleashed Virus, set to debut in Free Comic Book Day’s Amazing Spider-Man and Venom #1. And hiding in plain-sight on the provocative preview cover of the May issue of Venom. But whatever you do, do NOT call this new character a symbiote. Because it appears to be something else entirely...
Virus is a brand new creation cooked up by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, and will star alongside the symbiote-with-a-sidekick in a new story arc titled “Venom Beyond,” beginning in Venom #26. “Venom Beyond” takes place in the aftermath of the bombing at Venom Island and represents a new future for Eddie Brock and the symbiote, who appear to have been successfully separated for the first time. The panel highlighted a dreary three-page preview of FCBD's Amazing Spider-Man and Venom #1. Following Eddie Brock as he enters a garbage-strewn alley, the symbiote plays the role of an oily umbrella (like an inky-black Impossible Man from a shadowy dimension). Out of the darkness and the downpour, a beam of energy cuts through to blast the rain-drenched Brock, sending him sprawling in the alley. Take a look at the arrival of Virus in the preview pages below:
From the squall, Virus emerges, shielded by power armor, appearing improvised or in a state of disrepair like some repurposed-Doombot salvaged from a Latverian scrapyard or the unwieldy remains of a War Machine model left in Tony Stark’s discard pile. With garish golden spider-emblem emblazoned across the breastplate and a series of shoulder-mounted blaster-rifles, the armor-plated Virus casts a menacing silhouette against the driving rain. What sinister designs does the unknown Virus have in store for the symbiote and Eddie Brock? Or will this outbreak of violence lead to an uneasy alliance between Virus and Venom?
Catch Virus in the character’s debut this May on Free Comic Book Day with Amazing Spider-Man and Venom, and in the ongoing story arc “Venom Beyond” in Venom from Marvel Comics.
- VENOM (26)
- Writer: Donny Cates
- Artist: Iban Coello
- Cover Artist: Ryan Stegman
- "VENOM BEYOND" BEGINS HERE!
- If you thought VENOM ISLAND was insane comic book action of the highest order, then shut your yapper and face front, True Believer, because we're about to outdo ourselves!
- For months, the Maker has been fascinated with symbiotes. IN THIS ISSUE we find out why - and what he intends to do with any he can get his hands on...
- Rated T+
- In Shops: May 13, 2020