Warning! Spoilers ahead for Heroes Reborn #1!
Venom has merged with Red Skull to form Marvel's most twisted tyrant. Heroes Reborn #1 introduces some of the shifts that happen to the world without the Avengers coming together. Symbiotes are one of the most dangerous organisms in Marvel's universe and when paired with known villains, they become even more dangerous.
Heroes Reborn centers a world where the Squadron Supreme formed as the main superhero team instead of the Avengers. Many recognizable Marvel characters have suffered alternate fates and few know that something is amiss. What's worse is that some of the villains in Marvel's universe have become more deadly and dangerous.
Created by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales, Matthew Wilson, and VC's Cory Petit, Heroes Reborn #1 reveals that Red Skull is not the dominant force behind this world's version of HYDRA. Instead of having green suits, this HYDRA is seen in red and black, though the uniform style is the same. The leader however, is far more dangerous than the previous Führer. A new, twisted tyrant has risen as Venom and Red Skull have combined to form Black Skull.
Dubbed "Herr Venom", the new Führer, has combined two of the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe. By himself Red Skull is already a deadly foe due to his strategic thinking, tactical expertise, and steadfast holding to extremist ideals. Now, with a symbiote added into the mix, this Black Skull will likely prove to be one of the deadliest foes Marvel has thrown at its heroes. Symbiotes are known for exaggerating and amplifying existing characteristics of their hosts. An already violent enemy would prove to be more violent and a fascist leader would have their fascist ideals accentuated—which Red Skull would definitely fall under given his following of Nazism and desire for greater power.
Marvel's symbiotes—also known as the Klyntar—have been at the forefront of recent Marvel events such as Absolute Carnage and King in Black. July 2021 will bring about Extreme Carnage, which follows out of the events of King in Black. Even Marvel's twisted universe couldn't resist from toying with the idea of symbiotes becoming more dangerous. When symbiotes can amplify mild aggression to make even heroes act less like themselves, the implications this merger could have are horrifying. Red Skull is an aggressive extremist, which makes a symbiote alternate version a living nightmare to consider. It also makes his debut action in this first issue of Heroes Reborn very fitting. Instead of hiding out or being involved in the Nazi movement the way it is presently known as a historic group, Black Skull is at the forefront of the movement and actively trying to takeover this alternate version of the United States. What could be interesting is how not only the Squadron Supreme takes him on, but also how President Coulson reacts to the takeover bid of Black Skull—Marvel's amalgamation of Venom and Red Skull.