Hope Marvel Reconnects with Venom’s True Horror Elements

Warning! Contains Spoilers For Marvel’s Spider-Man 2! Over time, as comic book characters evolve, their distinct personalities can often become diluted. While some adaptations enhance the character’s appeal, others may stray too far from the original essence. In the case of Venom, it seems that Marvel has gradually lost touch with what initially made this character truly terrifying, relegating him to the status of a generic monster.

Contemporary portrayals of Venom frequently depict him as a towering brute focused solely on destruction or world domination, driven by the ambitions of the symbiote species. This simplistic representation detracts from the intricate character dynamics that made Venom unique, oversimplifying his motivations and reducing his storyline to mere chaos.

Extreme close-up of the Venom symbiote, with his iconic tongue whipping around.

At his core, Venom should function as a dark reflection of Spider-Man. However, there seems to be a disconnect in current narratives, where writers often overlook this critical facet. Venom’s role is not primarily to wreak havoc; instead, he embodies an intricate blend of warped heroism and a misguided sense of responsibility.

Examining a Contemporary Example of Venom: Insomniac’s Interpretation

Visual Appeal (Acknowledging the Positives)

Insomniac Venom Swinging Through City In Rain

To illustrate the differences between a misguided and a traditional portrayal of Venom, let’s analyze the character as depicted in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, a video game that many outside the comic book circle recognize. While the game excels in translating Spider-Man lore into an engaging format, the portrayal of Venom raises concerns.

In Insomniac’s game, Venom emerges as a significant antagonist. However, this version significantly deviates from the character’s traditional origins. Instead of Eddie Brock, they opted for Harry Osborn, which muddles the Venom identity. Furthermore, this iteration portrays him as a classic mustache-twirling villain with a singular goal of world dominion, effortlessly manipulating Harry to fulfill this scheme.This motivation feels disconnected from Spider-Man’s narrative, overshadowing the character depth associated with Venom.

What renders this version problematic is that Venom is fundamentally Peter Parker’s dark counterpart. Insomniac’s version lacks this tether, embodying a character who, despite claiming altruistic intentions, primarily employs manipulation for his ends. His antics often come across as ridiculous and whimsical, a sharp contrast to his intended malevolence.

The Juxtaposition of Goofiness and Violence in Venom

From Humor to Horror: A Distinctive Trait

Spider-Man often employs humor to diffuse tense situations, while Eddie Brock’s quips stem from his unstable psyche. The distinction is critical; whereas Spider-Man’s foes pursue tangible goals, Venom terrified audiences because his motivation transcended self-interest—he only desired to destroy Spider-Man, believing it was a righteous pursuit. This twisted logic adds a layer of complexity to his character.

One particularly memorable instance that showcases Eddie’s warped sense of morality occurred when he encountered a homeless individual seeking assistance. In a fit of misguided benevolence, Venom raided a jewelry store and presented the loot to the homeless man, remaining unfazed as law enforcement arrested the unsuspecting victim.

Eddie portrayed a character battling severe detachment from reality. His misguided attempt to help through theft highlights a profound misunderstanding of heroism, further reinforcing his terrifying nature.

A Misguided Desire to Help: The Paradox of Venom

The True Horror: Misguided Intentions

Simplifying Venom to a basic monster undermines the complexities that make him captivating. He embodies what Spider-Man could become if he lost his moral compass entirely. Throughout their confrontations, Venom displays moments of moral clarity, such as breaking off an attack to assist a civilian in peril, only to revert to his lethal obsession with Spider-Man moments later. This nuanced portrayal distinguishes Venom from other villains like the Green Goblin, illustrating his understanding of right and wrong, albeit through a distorted lens.

Source & Images