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Fascinating and strong in the Marvel universe, the Venom symbiote has a past of bonding with a range of human hosts, each offering a different viewpoint on the symbiote's intricate relationship with humans. Often guiding these people towards a darker path, Venom has shown an amazing ability to choose hosts that are exactly fit for its needs throughout its exploits. But the precise process behind Venom's host choice has long remained a secret, which begs questions about how the symbiote so readily finds willing volunteers.
Marvel Comics clarifies this age-old mystery in Venom #35, penned by Al Ewing and illustrated by CAFU. Having lately dropped its old host Dylan Brock, venom sets out on a search for a new bond. This search reveals the special and hitherto unreported ability of the symbiote to sense negative emotions. Venom's choice process is guided by specific chemical markers linked with anger, aggression, and other strong emotions.
Like all symbiotes, venom depends on a molecule called phenylamine for life. This chemical explains the symbiote's appeal to people with higher degrees of aggression and is absolutely essential for its survival. By detecting the exact chemical balance in their bodies—that of phenylamine, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin— Venom can find possible hosts. Venom's "chemical signature" provides a special window into the emotional condition and potential of its possible hosts.
The latest information on Venom's host choosing process throws fresh light on the history of the symbiote. Venom has selected a wide range of hosts over years, each with unique personality and set of reasons. Still, one thing they all have in common: a strong sense of rage. The original Venom host, Eddie Brock, most clearly exhibits this trend.
Broken man Eddie Brock harboured resentment toward Spider-Man. Venom found the ideal environment to bond with him from his extreme wrath and need for retribution. Venom identified Brock as someone who would gladly embrace the power of the symbiote and release his own inner darkness—a deep-seated rage.
There are similar trends among Venom's other hosts. Angry over his lost legs, Flash Thompson—the former Agent Venom—was consumed; Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, harbored great wrath over the experiments that combined him with his famous armor. These are only a handful of the instances showing how Venom has regularly targeted those struggling with strong emotions, particularly anger.
Within the Marvel Universe, the Venom symbiote has grown to be a major and multifarious character. Its capacity for great power and inclination toward darkness have made it a continual cause of moral uncertainty and conflict. The path of venom has shown the duality of good and evil as well as the difficulties of people battling their own inner demons.
The symbiote's future is yet unknown given the most recent disclosures on Venom's host choosing process. Will Venom keep looking for hosts motivated by aggression and resentment? Alternatively will it develop, looking for fresh relationships with people who represent a different range of emotions? The gifted writers and artists who keep developing Venom's continuous story will have the solutions to these problems.