Eddie Brock and Venom Are Finally Together Again. Now What?

There are certain comic-book characters who just belong together.

Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

Bruce Banner and the Hulk.

And Eddie Brock and Venom.

Sure, Marvel can separate them. Give the symbiote another host. Send Eddie off in a completely different direction.

And sometimes those stories are great.

But eventually, you find yourself wanting to see Eddie Brock back in that black suit.

Well, today's the day.

Venom #1 arrives October 14, 2026, launching a brand-new ongoing series from writer Charles Soule and artist Tommaso Bianchi.

And for the first time in years, Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote are back together. [1]

The bigger question is whether this reunion gives readers something genuinely new—or whether Marvel is simply returning to a familiar formula.

We think there's a pretty good reason to be optimistic.

What's Happening in Venom #1?

The setup is straightforward.

Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote have reunited after spending years apart.

But this isn't necessarily the same relationship they had before.

Both have changed.

Both have made mistakes.

And both have plenty to prove.

Eddie wants to become the best possible host for the symbiote. More importantly, he wants to prove that Venom can actually be a hero.

Not somebody else's definition of a hero.

His own.

That's an interesting distinction.

Because Venom has never been particularly good at following the rules.

He's not Spider-Man.

He's not Captain America.

He's a massive, terrifying alien creature bonded to a guy who has made more than his share of questionable decisions.

And that's precisely why the character works.

According to Soule, the new series will be based in New York City, with Eddie and the symbiote attempting to learn from their past mistakes while convincing the rest of the Marvel Universe that they deserve another chance. [2]

That sounds like the Venom we want to read.

Why Did Eddie Brock Stop Being Venom?

If you haven't followed every Venom storyline over the last several years, you're probably wondering what happened.

The short answer?

A lot.

Venom's mythology has expanded enormously.

What started as Spider-Man's rejected alien costume eventually became an entire cosmic mythology involving symbiote gods, alternate hosts, and battles that threatened the universe.

Eddie Brock became the King in Black.

His son Dylan took on a major role in the Venom story.

Mary Jane Watson eventually became bonded to the symbiote.

And Eddie himself spent time bonded to Carnage.

Then came Queen in Black, the 2026 crossover that pushed the symbiote storyline into another major confrontation involving Knull and Hela. [3]

That's a lot of history for a character who originally became famous because he hated Spider-Man.

And while some of those stories have been excellent, there's also something appealing about getting back to the relationship that made Venom popular in the first place.

Eddie.

The symbiote.

And the uneasy partnership between them.

That's the foundation of the new series.

Charles Soule Is an Interesting Choice to Write Venom

We're particularly interested in the choice of Charles Soule.

Soule has worked on everything from Daredevil to Star Wars, and he's already spent considerable time writing Eddie Brock.

His previous work includes Eddie Brock: Carnage and contributions to the recent symbiote storylines.

So this isn't somebody walking into the character completely cold.

Soule understands the history.

But what's more interesting is how he's approaching the character's personality.

In his July announcement, Soule explained that he wants Venom to feel genuinely alien.

Not simply like a large superhero wearing a black costume.

An actual extraterrestrial organism.

Something constantly moving, shifting, and behaving in ways that make people uncomfortable. [2]

We love that idea.

Because one of the things that makes Venom visually interesting is that he shouldn't look completely normal.

His body doesn't have to obey the same rules as everybody else's.

His face can stretch.

His limbs can change.

His tendrils can move independently.

There's an opportunity to make the character genuinely unsettling again.

And that brings us to the artwork.

Tommaso Bianchi Could Be the Biggest Surprise

We suspect a lot of readers will pick up Venom #1 because of Eddie Brock.

But Tommaso Bianchi might be the reason they stick around.

Bianchi has worked on titles including Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil's Trigger and Thunderbolts.

For this series, he's joined by colorist Yen Nitro and letterer Clayton Cowles. [4]

And based on the preview pages, the creative team is leaning into the physical strangeness of the symbiote.

That's exactly what we want.

Venom should be imposing.

He should be unpredictable.

And when he enters a scene, he should look like something that doesn't belong there.

Soule has also explained that the relationship between Eddie and the symbiote will be central to the story.

They're not simply picking up where they left off.

They're two characters attempting to rebuild a partnership.

That gives Bianchi an opportunity to do something more interesting than draw fight scenes.

He gets to show how that relationship works physically.

When the symbiote is angry, what happens to its body?

When Eddie is uncertain, how does Venom react?

Can two beings who have caused so much destruction genuinely become better together?

Those are interesting questions.

And they give this relaunch some substance beyond the new #1 on the cover.

Venom #1 Variant Covers: Which Ones Are Worth Buying?

Naturally, Marvel has a substantial variant-cover lineup for this issue.

The standard cover price is $4.99, with the regular edition featuring artwork by Davide Paratore. [5]

There are also covers from John Romita Jr., Martin Coccolo, David Marquez, Adi Granov, and Nick Bradshaw.

Here's how we'd approach them.

Davide Paratore — The Main Cover

This is our first recommendation for somebody who simply wants to start reading the series.

Paratore's artwork gives you a strong, recognizable image of Venom.

It's the main cover.

And sometimes that's all you need.

We wouldn't overcomplicate this one.

Adi Granov — Our Favorite Alternative

If you're looking for something different, Granov is one of the first artists we'd consider.

His detailed, polished approach works particularly well with characters like Venom.

There's something about that style that makes the symbiote feel substantial.

Less like a cartoon monster.

More like something that could actually exist.

For readers who enjoy cover artwork, this is one we'd put near the top of the list.

John Romita Jr. — The Classic Marvel Choice

Romita Jr. has such a distinctive visual style that you generally know what you're looking at before you see the signature.

And there's a reason he's been associated with Spider-Man and the wider Marvel Universe for decades.

If you prefer classic superhero artwork, his variant is an appealing option.

Martin Coccolo and David Marquez

Both offer alternatives worth examining, particularly if you enjoy seeing how different artists interpret the same character.

Marquez's homage cover is especially interesting for readers who appreciate Marvel's visual history.

Nick Bradshaw and the Incentive Covers

Bradshaw's artwork is available as a 1:25 incentive variant, while Granov also has a 1:100 virgin variant. [5]

These are different from ordinary open-order covers.

And here's our advice.

Buy an incentive cover because you genuinely like the artwork.

Not because somebody tells you that every new #1 is automatically going to become valuable.

There's nothing wrong with paying more for a cover you love.

But there should be a reason beyond speculation.

Our pick? Paratore for the regular reading copy, with Granov as our favorite alternative.

Do You Need to Read Queen in Black Before Venom #1?

This is probably the most important question for somebody considering the new series.

No, we wouldn't consider it mandatory.

Marvel is positioning Venom #1 as a fresh starting point.

The basic premise is easy to understand: Eddie Brock and the symbiote are reunited, and they're attempting to build a new life together.

That's enough to get started.

However, if you enjoy understanding the larger history, there are a few stories worth exploring.

Eddie Brock: Carnage provides background on Eddie's recent experiences.

The preceding Venom series explains the symbiote's time with other hosts.

And Queen in Black helps establish the circumstances surrounding the reunion.

But don't feel like you need to purchase dozens of back issues just to enjoy a new comic.

One of the best things a publisher can do is give readers a genuine jumping-on point.

We're hoping Soule delivers exactly that.

Is This the Right Time to Start Reading Venom?

We think so.

And not simply because there's a new #1.

There's a difference between renumbering a series and giving it a new direction.

What makes this relaunch interesting is that Marvel is doing both.

It's bringing back the most recognizable Venom partnership while introducing a new creative team with a specific approach to the character.

Eddie and the symbiote aren't necessarily trying to become the people they used to be.

They're trying to become something better.

That's a stronger premise than simply announcing that Venom is back.

It also creates an interesting problem.

What happens when Venom decides he's a hero, but the other heroes don't agree?

Does Eddie change his methods?

Or does he decide everybody else is wrong?

Knowing Venom, we're guessing the answer won't be particularly peaceful.

What We're Watching at ATL Comics & Cards

At ATL Comics & Cards, we spend a lot of time talking about exclusive covers, artwork, and the different versions of popular books.

And we love that side of comics.

But the story still matters.

A beautiful cover might convince somebody to buy an issue.

A great story is what brings them back for #2.

That's what we'll be watching with Venom.

Can Soule and Bianchi make Eddie Brock's return feel important?

Can they give the character something new to say?

And can they deliver the kind of action that made Venom one of Marvel's most popular characters?

We're optimistic.

If you're interested in Venom, Spider-Man, or Marvel's current releases, visit ATL Comics & Cards to explore our comics and available editions.

And if you're following a series regularly, consider adding it to your pull list so you're not scrambling to find each new issue.

Final Thoughts: Venom #1 Is Worth a Look

We've seen plenty of comic-book relaunches over the years.

Some are terrific.

Some are forgettable.

And some exist mainly because publishers know a new #1 gets attention.

But Venom #1 has something more interesting going for it.

It has a creative team with a clear direction.

It has a character relationship worth exploring.

And it brings Eddie Brock back to the role that made him famous.

That's enough to get us interested.

Venom #1 releases Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Written by Charles Soule.

Art by Tommaso Bianchi.

Cover A by Davide Paratore.

And Eddie Brock is finally back where he belongs.

We are Venom.

Where Comics Live.