Read the First Arc of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman's 'Venom' for Free

Venom was once Spider-Man’s greatest enemy. But he soon went on to become a Lethal Protector of the innocent.

For a long time, Venom straddled the line between hero and villain. Eddie Brock was even separated from the Venom symbiote for several years until their reunion in VENOM (2016). However, the current series, VENOM (2018), has completely redefined both Eddie and his symbiote while also introducing their biggest adversary to date.

VENOM #25 recently wrapped up the “Venom Island” storyline and set the stage for major developments in the near future. It’s fair to say that Eddie and Venom’s most dire challenges await them. But in the interim, fans have the opportunity to read the first six issues of Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman’s VENOM for free on Marvel Unlimited right now!

Within these issues, Cates and Stegman planted the seeds that led to ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, while also introducing a major new villain who may bring the Marvel Universe to its knees. “God is coming,” and Venom is the first line of defense against his dark creator.

Inner Turmoil

VENOM #1 revealed that Eddie and the symbiote’s reunion wasn’t going smoothly, despite their affection for each other. The symbiote was stricken by nightmares and uncontrollably violent urges. To silence his “other,” Eddie began taking antipsychotic drugs just to hear himself think. That led to some friction between Eddie and the symbiote, but they were soon dragged into a deeper mystery.

Ve’Nam

Eddie thought he was well-versed about the history of other symbiotes on Earth. But in issue #2, a man named Rex Strickland revealed how little Eddie actually knew. The government attempted to use symbiotes to create super soldiers during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, that mistake caught up to both Eddie and Rex in the present. It also unleashed the Grendel symbiote, a dragon-like creature that served as a herald for the God of Symbiotes.

When Eddie Met Miles

Venom’s history with Peter Parker began in SECRET WARS (1984) #8 and came to a head in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #300. It’s a complex relationship, to say the least. But Peter forgave both Eddie and the symbiote after they selflessly helped him face the Red Goblin in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2015) #800. That illustrated just how far Venom has come.

The second Spider-Man, Miles Morales, doesn’t have that connection with either Eddie or Venom. That’s why Miles attacked them in VENOM #3. That issue marked the first-ever meeting between Eddie and Miles, and their dynamic is very different from the one shared by Peter and Eddie. Miles also has powers that Eddie and Venom can’t easily withstand. But those abilities may make Miles a valuable ally.

The God of Symbiotes

Knull took center stage in VENOM #4, as Eddie learned that nearly everything he thought he knew about the Klyntar was a lie. There is no Planet of the Symbiotes, and Knull is an intergalactic threat to creation itself. Knull also introduced himself as the God of Symbiotes, and revealed that he created their race from aspects of himself. A horrified Eddie also witnessed Knull’s plans to engulf the entire universe in darkness.

Venom at War

If there’s an upside to facing Knull, it’s this. The Venom symbiote discovered previously unrealized abilities that made it and Eddie even more formidable. In issue #5, they also discovered the secrets that Rex had tried to hide from them. But in the face of a common enemy, Venom and Rex made an alliance to take on Knull together.

Sacrifice

At the height of his powers, Venom fought Knull and Grendel during the sixth issue. Unfortunately, even an upgraded Venom couldn’t last long against his creator. The scary thing is that Knull wasn’t even at the height of his abilities—or actually present. Simply surviving the encounter with a temporary victory exacted a heavy toll on both Eddie and the symbiote, leaving Venom greatly changed by the traumatic experience.

But Knull is still coming to Earth, and a rematch is inevitable within the pages of VENOM!

Read VENOM #1-6 for free on Marvel Unlimited right now!