Venom Goes Heroic! How Spider-Man Transformed the Symbiote into a Self-Sacrificing Savior
In a twist no one saw coming, the Venom symbiote, usually known for its chaotic and often villainous nature, has undergone a surprising evolution—thanks to none other than Spider-Man. Yes, you read that correctly. The dark, vengeful symbiote that once bonded with Eddie Brock and wreaked havoc is now channeling its inner hero, and the catalyst for this change? Peter Parker’s self-sacrificial, always-for-the-greater-good persona.
This major shift in the Venom symbiote’s behavior comes courtesy of All-New Venom #6, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Carlos Gomez. The issue delves into an unexpected turn of events during the Venom War event, where Mary Jane Watson—yes, Spider-Man’s longtime love interest—finds herself bonded to the Venom symbiote. But it wasn’t all as simple as a casual “hey, let’s team up” moment. This bond came about in a high-stakes, life-or-death scenario that saw Venom making a choice that would make Spider-Man proud.
Here’s the breakdown: Mary Jane, who had been trying to fight crime as the hero Jackpot (thanks to a power gauntlet designed by her boyfriend, Paul Rabin), was struggling with the unpredictability of the gauntlet’s powers. One of the gauntlet’s combinations was so dangerous that it could lead to instant death. And sure enough, in a dangerous turn of events, Mary Jane hit that combination. That’s when the Venom symbiote, which had been trying to help her during the Venom War, stepped up in a way no one could have expected.
Instead of retreating or acting selfishly (as it’s so often done in the past), the symbiote—channeling some of Spider-Man’s altruism—decided to save Mary Jane’s life. The symbiote’s internal monologue asked a simple yet profound question: “What Would Spider-Man do?” And in that moment, the answer was clear. Just like Peter Parker would, the Venom symbiote sacrificed itself to save Mary Jane, even if it meant risking its own existence.
This act of selflessness marked a turning point for the symbiote. Venom’s bond with Mary Jane went beyond the usual parasitic relationship; it became a true partnership, born out of a desire to protect, rather than destroy. The result? Mary Jane lived, but both she and the symbiote were left weakened and dependent on each other for survival. It wasn’t a perfect situation, but it was a heroic one—and that, my friends, is something Spider-Man would undoubtedly approve of.
The ramifications of this shift are far-reaching. Robbie Robertson, a longtime acquaintance of both Spider-Man and Venom, was quick to notice the symbiote’s new, almost heroic nature. In an interview, he shared that he’d encountered Venom many times before but had never seen the symbiote act this way. “It’s like Venom is finally stepping into the shoes of a hero,” Robertson noted. All of this, he observed, was thanks to the influence of Spider-Man—a hero who never hesitates to put others before himself, even at great personal cost.
But, of course, not all is smooth sailing. While the Venom symbiote’s newfound sense of selflessness is a win for Mary Jane’s survival, it has come with its own set of complications. For one, the awkwardness of being bonded with a creature that once terrorized the streets—and who still has its issues with trust—doesn’t exactly make for a smooth partnership. On top of that, Mary Jane’s relationship with her boyfriend Paul Rabin has been left in ruins. The gauntlet that was supposed to give her powers nearly killed her instead, and Paul’s inability to protect her in that moment didn’t help matters. If anything, it made Mary Jane realize that, when push comes to shove, her only true ally is the symbiote—no matter how strange that may seem.
So, while the transformation of Venom into a more heroic figure may have its bumps along the way, there’s no denying that Spider-Man’s influence has worked its magic. It’s proof that even the darkest forces in the Marvel Universe can evolve, change, and find their own path to redemption. Who knows? Maybe one day, Venom and Mary Jane will become the ultimate crime-fighting duo—bonded by fate, and perhaps a bit of Spider-Man’s heroism too.
