Symbiotes are a complex alien species that survive by bonding to other living beings. They can be extremely dangerous when in the wrong hands and some of Marvel's toughest heroes might struggle to actually be able to control them.
Marvel's most famous symbiote wielder, Eddie Brock, has fallen on both the list of heroes and villains who have fought with the creature inside of him. With even Brock unable to always tame such an animalistic urge to kill, we're taking a look at five heroes who definitely could control a symbiote and five who absolutely could not.
10 CAN'T: DAREDEVIL
Daredevil is an incredibly talented superhero. With enhanced senses after a chemical accident, the martial artist is one of the moral compasses of the Marvel universe. But, he can be corrupted and indeed has been in the past by the likes of the Hand.
While Matt Murdoch is a hero at heart, the presence of a symbiote might be enough to bring out his dark side. Sometimes Matt's way of finding justice just isn't enough and the symbiote might drive him to using more extreme methods to complete his tasks. The alien would definitely be in the drivers seat.
9 CAN: JESSICA JONES
Jessica Jones is no stranger to having someone in her head. Her battles with the Purple Man in the past have made her far more mentally resilient. She understands her own thoughts and her own mind and protecting her child is always going to be her number one priority.
Therefore, if a symbiote were to bond with Jessica, they wouldn't have a chance of being able to control her. She is now too mentally strong and would be able to fight back against any of the violent urges the alien could implant in her. What's more, she might even be strong enough to actually expel a symbiote from her body.
8 CAN'T: ANT-MAN
Hank Pym has had a complicated past and many mental health issues. His flaws have shone through in recent times but that doesn't stop him from trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately due to his mental state, Hank is a prime human to be taken over by a symbiote.
After being bonded with Ultron for a time, it has become clear that Hank could not resist the temptation of what this kind of entity could offer him. He's plagued by the mistakes of his past and such a creature could offer him a solution and a path to redemption. This is an enticing offer that Pym simply couldn't refuse.
7 CAN: PUNISHER
The Punisher has actually been bonded with a symbiote in a What If? story in the past. The character has changed a lot since then though so it's a completely different ball game if the modern day Frank Castle was to be bonded with something like Venom.
Frank's discipline is perhaps stronger than ever which means that he would be able to take control of the voice inside his head. Although he would therefore be calling the shots, that doesn't necessarily mean he wouldn't use the violent powers at his disposal to continue his war on crime.
6 CAN'T: SCARLET WITCH
The Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful heroes and mutants in all of Marvel Comics and so it seems odd to claim that she wouldn't be able to control a creature from outer space. What's more, it would be almost lethal to allow a symbiote like Carnage to be anywhere near her abilities.
Wanda may be physically strong and powerful but mentally she is scarred. She has had a lot of issues in the past and has actually allowed her powers to completely alter reality. With a voice inside her head telling her to kill, it may be difficult for this sorceress to resist, especially if it can offer her everything she needs.
5 CAN: CAPTAIN MARVEL
Carol Danvers has also hosted a symbiote during the Siege story, albeit very briefly. She managed to eventually resist it the first time and so it's no surprise she'd be able to do it again. She's already powerful enough to be able to fight it off completely which gives her the advantage.
Her extra experience with creatures from the depths of space means that she's even better equipped to deal with this threat however. Not only that, she seems to have entered another power level in terms of her abilities and is the most confident she's ever been. She's a pretty impenetrable fortress.
4 CAN'T: DEADPOOL
Let's face it, Wade Wilson is pretty unstable at the best of times. He's erratic, often dysfunctional, and isn't afraid to kill just for the fun of it. Pairing him up with a symbiote is just bad news and could be an absolute disaster for anyone he comes into contact with.
The ironic part is that he could actually reason with the symbiote living inside of him. The problem is that he would most likely agree with it. So he wouldn't necessarily be in control, but there might be a mutual understanding to cause chaos and destruction. Either way, Deadpool shouldn't be let anywhere near Venom and his kind.
3 CAN: BLACK WIDOW
Black Widow has had a elite training designed to hold up even in the worst torture situations. She's physically strong and mentally very capable. She has fought off psychic attacks before and likely can again. Her no nonsense attitude is therefore perfect to host a symbiote.
Not only would she be in control of it, but she might even be able to get rid of it. Her dedication to protecting the innocent and the discipline she has gained from her years of learning her craft means that she is one of the most suitable people to be able to battle a symbiote inside her mind. The symbiotes only advantage would be to pry on the details of her past.
2 CAN'T: HULK
Bruce Banner is obviously remarkable for being able to keep the Hulk under his control for so many years. Yet for all the times he's managed to put a lid on him, there's so many other examples where the green goliath has gained the advantage and torn through parts of the Marvel universe.
To add a symbiote to the mix would be like throwing a grenade into a box of gunpowder. The situation would be made more intense and the chances are that Hulk would quite like gaining some extra power, courtesy of an alien visitor. If he wanted to, he would be strong enough to fight it off, but it's that power hungry greed that would be taken advantage of.
1 CAN: CAPTAIN AMERICA
Steve Rogers is a liberty of hope, a soldier with precision discipline, and a willpower like no other. There's not a chance that a symbiote would be able to corrupt that in any way, as Captain America is perhaps the one hero who would be able to block a symbiote every time.
While his body is physically equipped to deal with this threat, with his enhanced metabolism potentially fighting the foreign invader, it's his mental will and might that would be the key to winning this battle. Steve just wouldn't be able to allow any version of himself to massacre people and would fight back with all his strength.