WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Symbiote Spider-Man: King in Black #3 by Peter David, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Frank D'Armata and VC's Joe Sabino; Guardians of the Galaxy #10 by Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, Federico Blee, and V.C.’s Cory Petit; and Venom #32, by Donny Cates, Iban Coello, Jesus Aburtov, and VC's Clayton Cowles on sale now.
In Marvel's "King in Black" event, the all-powerful Knull has invaded the Earth, and he won without breaking much of a sweat. He deployed an army of Dark Celestials and symbiote dragons, he defeated the Avengers and the X-Men, he killed the Sentry and he covered the world in a massive symbiote.
What heroes are left are now regrouping and, although they plan on fighting back, it sure seems like their battle is a lost cause. But thankfully, there are still some out there in the Marvel Universe who could make a difference in this fight. Here's a rundown of the five characters who could end up defeating Knull.
Eddie Brock
Before Knull's arrival on Earth, the coming of Knull had been building up for years in the Venom series. For that reason, it seemed likely that Eddie Brock would be the one to ultimately defeat the cosmic villain. However, things became a lot more complicated at the start of "King in Black" when Knull ripped the Venom symbiote off of Eddie and dropped him down the side of a building to his death.
However, while Eddie's body might be dead, a part of him still lives on. Venom #32 revealed that the codex that contains Eddie Brock's identity is inside Knull's hive-mind and, unlike the other symbiotes, he is still free of his control. In there, Eddie has also found Rex Strickland and Agent Anti-Venom, and they have devised a plan to free the Venom symbiote from Knull's control. Eddie might technically be dead, but there's still a chance he will return to stop Knull once and for all.
Thor
The God of Thunder has an ancient history with Knull. Indeed, when Knull was at the height of his power in the distant past, a young Thor clashed with the Grendel, Knull's massive symbiote dragon. The Asgardian hero's lightning attack was so powerful that it managed to shatter the villain's hold over his symbiotes. As a result, the Klyntar were freed from their master, and they turned on him. Now, Knull has finally been awakened and he's taken over the Earth but Thor is nowhere to be found.
In King in Black #1, the Avengers repeatedly wondered where Thor was as Knull attacked, and there was no clear answer. As it stands, the God of Thunder is missing. Thor may be currently busy with his new tasks as All-Father and King of Asgard, but he will most assuredly return to face Knull. Will his lightning be able to strike twice?
Dylan Brock
Dylan is the son of Eddie Brock, and he was created by the Venom symbiote itself after it sensed the coming danger of Knull. Over the last few years, we have seen that Dylan is extremely powerful. Indeed, he can take control of other symbiotes, and he can even pulverize them with a single touch. On top of that, a recent visit to a parallel universe showed that an alternate version of Dylan who was now an adult had so much power that he rivaled Knull himself.
Although he may be young, Dylan Brock has the potential power to defeat Knull. However, for the time being, he is being kept out of the fight. Dylan is currently under the protection of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the remaining Avengers. The superheroes might not be willing to let Dylan take part in the fight but if they do, he could be the one who turns Knull's army against him.
Kang the Conqueror
The Symbiote Spider-Man: King in Black miniseries has been chronicling the efforts of Kang the Conqueror to defeat Knull in the past. The story takes place shortly after the events of 1984-1985's Secret Wars, an era that has become affected by Knull's rise in power in the present thanks to the villain's powers of uncreation. In his travels, Kang has learned about the threat of the dark god of the symbiotes, which is why he has begun to assemble a team to stop the villain.
Kang's team is now comprised of Rocket Raccoon, the Black Knight, Monica Rambeau's Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man, and they are currently heading to Knowhere to reclaim the Ebony Blade. It's been revealed that the Black Knight's magical sword can defeat Knull, which is why Kang is determined to get it. If he does, all that's left for him is to jump ahead to the present of the Marvel Universe, where he will be able to face Knull.
Star-Lord
Peter Quill was believed dead after he sacrificed himself to kill the New Olympians at the start of the new Guardians of the Galaxy series. However, the leader of the superhero team returned in issue #9, after living an entire life in another reality. Now Quill is back and he was been given the powers of the Master of the Sun, which has transformed him into a cosmic powerhouse. Powered by the light and energy of the sun itself, Star-Lord was able to kill one of Knull's symbiote dragons with a single shot from his Element Gun.
Given the power now at his disposal, Peter Quill may be the god of light whose coming was initially foretold in Web of Venom: Wraith #1 by Donny Cates and Guiu Villanova. Star-Lord now has the power to take on Knull, but he will have to deal with the returning New Olympians before he can join the fight. And if it turns out he is not the mysterious god of light, then it means there is another cosmic deity somewhere in the Marvel Universe who has the power to defeat Knull.