As a longtime comic book enthusiast who’s been following Venom’s story since his early days, I must say that Tom Hardy’s portrayal of this iconic anti-hero has truly hit the nail on the head, or should I say, teeth? The way he’s brought out the complex relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom, the symbiote, is nothing short of brilliant. It’s not just about the action, the fighting, or the special effects – it’s about the emotional connection, the bond, the love-hate relationship that’s been a staple of the Venom comics for years.
A diet consisting only of chicken and chocolate isn’t enough for me; I require more intellectual stimulation.” (This paraphrase preserves the essence of the original quote while making it more accessible to a general audience.)
Back in 1988, I found myself immersed in the comic book universe created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane – none other than Venom. This character, initially a nemesis to Spider-Man, has since grown to be more than just an iconic adversary; he’s become one of Marvel Comics’ most sought-after characters.
Has Venom ever consumed someone’s brains in Marvel Comics, or would Marvel permit such a gruesome act from one of their flagship characters? If there is an instance where Venom has eaten brains, when did it occur and why has this violent aspect become central to the character? This article delves into Venom’s comic book history of consuming brains, explores the reasons behind this behavior, and discusses how the Tom Hardy movies popularized this element while other adaptations chose to overlook it.
Venom Has Eaten Brains Once, Off-Panel (But He Talks About It a Lot)
The initial instance where Venom hinted at consuming brains can be traced back to Amazing Spider-Man #333 in 1990, penned by Venom co-creator David Micheline and illustrated by Erik Larson. At that point, Venom was not yet fully established as an anti-hero but was still frequently at odds with Spider-Man. In their skirmish, the extraterrestrial menace threatened Spider-Man, saying, “We crave your brain!”. This statement was one of three phrases the 1991 Venom action figure would repeat, ultimately becoming a famous catchphrase for the character and linking it to its undead-like behavior.
For the first time, Marvel Comics didn’t explicitly depict Venom consuming brains until the 1996 series “Venom: The Hunger” #1. However, in this story, we learn that Venom does indeed eat brains, although the act itself is not directly shown; instead, it’s implied through another character’s commentary on witnessing the event. Similar to “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” this comic portrays the Venom symbiote separating from Eddie Brock due to its craving for consuming brains.
As a die-hard fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the narrative that suggests Venom craves brains due to a substance called Phenethylamine (PEA) found within them. In human terms, this compound acts as a stimulant for our central nervous system. Initially, Venom was feeding off Eddie Brock’s brain for its PEA content, but it needed more. This craving led to the infamous appetite for brains. Fortunately, there exists an alternative, socially acceptable source of PEA that both Eddie and Venom can rely on – one that doesn’t involve cannibalism!
Chocolate Is a Great Substitute for Brains
Although Venom appears to be a fearsome extraterrestrial creature, he surprisingly enjoys indulging in sweet treats, particularly chocolate. Eddie Brock discovered that this dessert serves as a suitable alternative for Venom instead of brains. Interestingly, consuming chocolate allows the human body to generate Phenethylamine. This chemical interaction triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of pleasure. This is one explanation behind why chocolate has been nicknamed the “chemical of love” by some individuals.
In the world of Harry Potter, just like how chocolate brings joy to people, it serves as a remedy after a Dementor’s attack because it triggers the release of dopamine, counteracting their depressing effect. Similarly, in the case of Venom, both from Eddie Brock and his consumption of brains and chocolate, a strong positive chemical reaction occurs, suggesting a similar feel-good sensation.
In my experience, what sets Venom apart from his offspring, Carnage, is their source of sustenance. Unlike Venom, who feeds on Phenethylamine, Carnage derives energy from the host’s anger and adrenaline. Initially, that was also how Venom functioned, amplifying the negative traits in his host to survive.
The affection Venom has for chocolate, along with its link to dopamine and emotions like love, subtly enhances the implied romantic connection between Venom and Eddie Brock in the comic books. This theme was further emphasized by the 2018 Tom Hardy film and carried forward in the sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage. However, traces of this concept can be found as early as in the comics, where Venom’s craving for chocolate is hinted at.
In “Venom: The Hunger,” it’s mentioned that Eddie Brock observes an increase in Phenethylamine production in the brain when someone is in love. This suggests a deep bond between Eddie and Venom, implying they both care for and depend on each other. By the end of the comic, this connection is further emphasized as Eddie Brock consumes Valentine’s Day chocolates to appease Venom’s hunger.
How Tom Hardy’s Venom Gets Right What Other Adaptations Ignored
When Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis, Venom, transitions from comic books to movies, a crucial aspect of his character – his cannibalistic nature – tends to be overlooked. While they retain his terrifying appearance with the protruding tongue and drool, the underlying context is frequently omitted in these adaptations.
In the film “Spider-Man 3,” the character primarily showcased as a combatant for Spider-Man. The movie suggests that he assaulted and possibly killed a SWAT team, though it remains uncertain if he consumed them. Since both “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” and “The Spectacular Spider-Man” are children’s cartoons, the cannibalistic tendencies of Venom were omitted, with the focus instead being on his animosity towards Spider-Man.
Although the Venom films lack the key aspect of Spider-Man in the characters’ origins, they remain true to numerous other comic book elements. More specifically, the Venom movies are filled with scenes where Venom bites off people’s heads, as seen in the final robber from Venom, Cletus Kassidy in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and even the trailers for Venom: The Last Dance depict him ripping off enemies’ heads and consuming them.
This distinctive final move, associated with the character’s early comic book portrayals and long anticipated by fans, has now become a familiar aspect of the character that mainstream audiences recognize. For instance, in the PlayStation 5 game Spider-Man 2, Venom is depicted biting off Kraven the Hunter’s head and consuming his spirit. This element has since influenced other media representations of the character.
The entire Venom trilogy has been unveiled in October, making it an ideal fit for the spooky Halloween season. The character can be likened to a blend of the Xenomorph from the Alien series, a werewolf, and a brain-eating zombie. Just like how a real-life trick-or-treater on Halloween might opt for chocolate over brains.
Venom: The Last Dance
opens in theaters on October 25, 2024.
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2024-10-07 06:01