Warning: contains spoilers forVenom#37!One of the biggest moments inSpider-Manhistory was when he got the iconic black suit which would later go on to becomeVenom. And yet despite everything this moment did to shape Spider-Man lore,I truly believe that it doesn’t make sense anymore due to one time-travel changethat Marvel just introduced.
Marvel introduced this major change to Peter’s lore inVenom #37by Torunn Gronbekk and Cafu. In this story, Eddie Brock’s son from the future (known as Old Man Dylan) travels back in time to gather some items he needs to create a powerful weapon. While dealing with Molten Man, Dylan comes into contact with Spider-Man on the day he graduates from high school.This is a major problem to Spider-Man lore, as Dylan then transforms into Venom, and I think this makes Spider-Man’s history with the black suit far too complicated.
Meeting Dylan on his graduation day makes this the first time Spider-Man encountered Venom, whose design is essentially the same as he will soon face in Eddie Brock. That being the case, why did Peter Parker never remember this gigantic goo monster the ‘first’ time he met him?It’s extremely difficult to imagineanyoneforgetting a nearly eight-foot-tall monster made of black goo with rows of razor-sharp teeth, especially with Spider-Man’s own logo displayed proudly on its chest.Venom is not something that someone forgets easily, which I think makes it all the harder to believe Spider-Man would put on the black suit only a few months later.
Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood Brings Back The Violent Darkness of His Symbiote Suit Era
Marvel explores the darkest era of Spider-Man’s history in an all-new Black, White and Blood anthology series that brings back Spidey’s black suit.
Peter Ends Up Meeting Venom Earlier Than He Should
Venom #37 by Torunn Gronbekk, Cafu, Frank D’Armata, and Clayton Cowles
Peter Parker first got the black suit inSecret Wars #8. After his iconic suit is damaged, Peter finds the now infamous black suit back at the heroes' shared base. Thinking it’s simply a high-tech suit, Peter puts it on without a second thought. This would later become a massive problem as the suit would be revealed to be a living alien that was trying to bond with Peter. I think this was a great twist, and it’s absolutely iconic, but it doesn’t make sense now. I can’t imagine why Peter would put on this black and white suit, when he very recently saw a giant black and white monster made from the same type of substance, wearing almost the exact same symbol.
Either Venom somehow magically removes Peter’s memory, or Peter has to be far less intelligent than he really is for the sake of the plot. I don’t think either are great options.
Dylan calls out that Peter is missing his graduation, presumably for high school.Secret Wars #8takes place after Peter’s time in high school, butbeforehe goes off to college. This means that the time betweenPeter meeting Venom and seeing the black suitcould only be a few months or a year at most. There is no reason Peter wouldn’t be able to make the connection between these two things.
While he may not know the black suitisVenom, he could still figure out that it’s likely related, which means he would never put it on- especially because the suit came into his possession on a mysterious alien world. This simple time-travel change destroys Peter’s relationship with the symbiote, asking fans to believe Spider-Man was clueless enough to ignore the clear connection between the suit and the alien villain he recently fought. It’s worth noting that at this point,Spider-Man has experienced time travel.
Spider-Man Would Recognize the Symbiote… And Therefore Never Become Venom
How Did the Genius Scientist Miss This Glaring Connection?
The entire symbiote twist hinges on the idea that Peter Parker doesn’t know what the black suit truly is. Meeting Venom in the past ruins this, unfortunately. I know that it’s a major event and seeing Venom and Spider-Man interact is great. I love seeing it. But having Venom travel back in time and meet Peter causesfartoo many problems that there really aren’t any reasonable answers to.Either Venom somehow magically removes Peter’s memory, or Peter has to be far less intelligent than he really is for the sake of the plot.I don’t think either are great options.
Spider-Man is no stranger to time travel or even dimensional travel himself. He’s been backwards and forwards in time, and he’s been to other dimensions. While all of these may’ve smudged continuity in different ways, I don’t think any were nearly as catastrophic as Venom meeting a high school version of Peter Parker. Hopefully, as the story concludes, there will be a reasonable conclusion about whySpider-Mandoesn’t rememberVenom, but if there isn’t, then I think this plot beat breaks Marvel continuity.
Venom #37is on sale now from Marvel Comics!
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
