Warning: spoilers for Venom #200!
Venom is far from the only symbiote character in Marvel Comics - in fact, there seems to be an endless supply of them, and even Marvel just admitted they have way too many. Even casual fans know Venom and Carnage, but there are a lot of other symbiotes spanning Marvel Comics history. Knull, the god of the abyss from the beginning of time, created these living organisms that form a bond with their hosts, creating a single entity. All-Black, a symbiote sword, was the first of its kind, used by Knull to kill a Celestial. Since then, the symbiote population has gotten out of control.
The first appearance of a symbiote in Marvel Comics happened in The Amazing Spider-Man #252, with Spider-Man mistaking an imprisoned symbiote for a costume during the Secret Wars event, later discovering the 'suit' was influencing his behavior. That symbiote became the popular villain (and later antihero) Venom, but there are many, many others who made their way to Earth. Carnage is next in line, and can likewise be considered a household name, especially given the upcoming Sony movie Venon: Let There Be Carnage. Lesser-known symbiotes include Toxin, Knull, Anti-Venom, Riot, and Scream. However, there is a long list of lower level-symbiotes, especially if you take into consideration the ones that only pop up for an issue or two.
During the satirical Mini Marvels story by Chris Giarrusso from Venom #200, Venom is hosting a symbiote reunion to which he has invited Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man. Peter tells Eddie Brock that he is impressed with how he is handling the Venom suit since it was turning him bad when he bonded with it. He even mentions how Venom was always trying to eat his brains, to which Venom responds he no longer does that since he has become hooked on cheeseburgers. It seems that all symbiotes have that in common, as the theme of the reunion is a barbecue. Spidey mentions that he is surprised by the turnout, and that he honestly did not realize just how many symbiotes there are. This is when Venom admits that, "We honestly can't keep track ourself."
There are many symbiotes featured in just this one panel, all with their own place in Marvel history. Most notable is Scream, who is the yellow symbiote with a streak of red hair. The recently resurrected Agent Anti-Venom can be seen in all-white with black eyes, and Agony is the all-pink female. Phage can also be seen in the front of this group - yellow with black spikes on his shoulders and arms. Lasher is the green symbiote with tentacles, holding the football. Perhaps the most unusual attendee is Sleeper, the newest symbiote in Marvel Comics, who often takes the form of a house cat.
Venom's comment is a knowing wink to Marvel's long list of symbiote characters, each with their own appearance and powers. But Venom #200 also makes it clear that in the wake of Knull's defeat, the entire symbiote race is now free of his control, effectively creating a new, independent alien race in Marvel Comics. Now that Eddie Brock is the new god of symbiotes, the crowd at the barbecue are his responsibility, giving this bloated cast of characters new purpose, and hopefully creating an opportunity to offer under-utilized heroes and villains more character building in the near future, even as the Venom name itself passes to Brock's son.