Venom is the epitome of the mirror of the hero trope. This character has made his mark on the world as the quintessential shadow and enemy (as well as sometimes ally) to The Amazing Spider-Man himself. However, Venom is a name that has been given to more than one person.
Venom isn't simply Eddie Brock but a name that was given to just about anyone that dares dons the original symbiotic black suit that Spider-Man got a hold of on Battleworld during the Secret Wars (or from space depending on which continuity you follow). This list will be looking at the best and worst of those Venoms.
10 BEST: THE ORIGINAL
The original Venom obviously has to make an appearance on this list. This amazing character has stolen fans' hearts for years to come and it's all thanks to Todd Mcfarlane and his timeless design for the symbiotic monstrosity. Much like Peter Parker to Spider-Man, for many Eddie Brock is THE Venom and no one else can touch his throne.
They have good reason for feeling this way too. He was the first to take the title of being the Venom to Spider-Man's cure. He is the one and only to some, but no one can take his place as the original.
9 WORST: VENOM SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED
While this version of Venom was also Eddie Brock he felt so far removed from his true self that it may as well not been. Spider-Man Unlimited was an animated series about Spider-Man, Colonel John Jonah Jameson, Venom, and Carnage getting trapped on a parallel Earth ruled by beast-like creatures.
While Peter Parker felt the same, Venom did not. This time around he wanted nothing but to grow his symbiote race through planted eggs, Alien style. Oh and his design was very odd looking. He just wasn't Eddie Brock anymore besides the episode when he separated from the suit.
8 BEST: MAC GARGAN
The name Mac Gargan might be familiar to many because he wasn't always Venom. In fact, this villain made his first appearance very early in Spider-Man's portfolio as the tragic villain The Scorpion. During the "Dark Reign" era of Marvel Comics, Mac got his hands on the symbiote and began working as the Spider-Man of the Dark Avengers.
This team was lead by Iron Patriot, a rip-off Iron Man that was Norman Osborn under the helmet. In this suit, Mac Gargan's abilities were amplified and even allowed him to use all of the usual spider-based powers too.
7 WORST: ANGELO FORTUNATO
Angelo Fortunato is one of those characters that feels like a blemish in Marvel history. He showed up and disappeared just as fast with many fans of Venom and Marvel Comics forgetting he ever existed in the first place. He showed up at a time when Eddie was trying to become a new man and wanted to get rid of Venom for good.
Eddie Brock sold the symbiote to the highest bidder, Fortunato. When Fortunato became Venom and confronted Spider-Man he chickened out due to fear. The symbiote was so ashamed that it left its new host.
6 BEST: DINOSAUR VENOMS
The dinosaur Venoms are a part of a world that may be the future of the Marvel Universe. This world is that of Old Man Logan, a far distant future where many heroes of now are passed away, that includes Spider-Man and Eddie Brock. Of course, this world still has things to remember these brave heroes by such as Spidey's grandaughter and a valley of T-Rexes that have somehow gotten ahold of Eddie Brock's old symbiote.
Funny enough, in Old Man Hawkeye it is learned that Clint is the reason that these dinos got their hands on the symbiote.
5 WORST: LEE PRICE VENOM
Much like Angelo Fortunato, Lee Price is a blemish on the history of the Venom character. He's another guy that came out of nowhere and was revealed to be the newest symbiotic partner to the black suit while Eddie Brock was having some issues with it. Much like the errors of the past, Lee was quickly thrown into the trash pile, relieved of the symbiote costume, and was forgotten by fans everywhere.
This isn't to ignore the fact that he has one of the worst and edgiest designs of any Venom wielder to date.
4 BEST: ULTIMATE VENOM
Ultimate Venom is the ideal Venom when it comes to Eddie Brock. He is literally the perfect version of the character that is fleshed out in the best way. He wasn't introduced to Spidey as a rival photographer, but as a childhood friend. In fact, both he and Peter's father created the symbiote as a cure for cancer.
When Spidey found the symbiote and used it, Brock found out and wasn't so happy. He attached to the symbiote feeding on his anger and went after Peter as Venom.
3 WORST: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN CARTOON
The Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon tries to take some pointers from the Ultimate Comics version of Eddie Brock, but ultimately falls flat due to not feeling real enough. This may just be the fault of the show's weird tone but things just don't feel as strong there.
This time around the childhood friend that becomes Venom is Harry Osborn. A concept that has many times been teased but never put into action as it was here.
2 BEST: AGENT VENOM
Agent Venom is the only wielder of the Venom symbiote that is on the level of Eddie Brock. In fact, in many ways, this Venom is actually superior to the original. Agent Venom was given the symbiote as a weapon to help him get back into the field as a secret soldier for U.S. forces.
The man under the suit is Flash Thompson, and even though he's the symbiote's new buddy he has a lot to learn before he can fully control it.
1 WORST: SPIDER-MAN 3
This Venom almost needs no introduction. Spider-Man 3 definitely created one of the worst versions both in design and execution. The character is unlikable in every way, and that may be in part to the movie looking to cover too many characters' stories.
Never the less, he's a horrible Venom and it's all thanks to Sony for forcing the character on Raimi, effectively killing the original Spidey movie run.