It only took a hit at the box office, but Venom is starting to get the recognition they deserve as perhaps the greatest example of anti-heroism in comics. Venom's origin as a Spider-Man villain is widely known among general audiences, but deeper dives into the character's backstory likely elude those only familiar with Tom Hardy's eclectic portrayal.
Venom's battled heroes and villains, halted massive catastrophes, saved the universe, and discovered new reaches to their potential. Venom's adventures and successes validate how endearing the character has been to audiences for so long.
10 Turning Over A New Leaf
Venom: Lethal Protector is remembered as the character's first solo series; revered for its empathetic treatment of the title character. Having left Spider-Man, Carnage, and the whole of New York behind, Venom tries to find a place for themselves in San Francisco. Stumbling upon the Underground City, they slowly develop into the community's protector and independently embrace their heroic instincts for the first time. They demonstrate symbiosis and save the day at risk to themselves.
9 Defeating Carnage (The First Time)
Where Venom lurks, therein also lies Carnage. They are one of the most recognizable antagonistic duos in comics and Amazing Spider-Man #361-363 covers their first prolonged conflict, courtesy of their mutual web-slinging enemy.
This is the first storyline that allows Venom to do what they do best: be good while being bad, the mark of anti-heroism. The character acts as a bull set loose again a larger, wilder bull with Spider-Man as the precision instrument. Appropriate, given Venom certainly sees a lot of red in this arc.
8 Subduing The Symbiote
Venom: The Hunger is an interesting interpretation of the titular symbiote, with the dynamic between host Eddie Brock and Venom laced with antagonism. The title focuses on the symbiote's insatiable need to eat and Eddie's frantic quest to manage it. As the film teased with its gags about chocolate, Venom requires phenethylamine, a chemical found in the aforementioned food as well as brains. Learning about this integral function of his symbiote certainly marks one of Eddie Brock's most significant milestones.
7 Becoming A Sanctioned Gun
Not exactly admirable, but Venom: License to Kill sees the vigilante taking a metaphorical leap in status. Venom is recognized for their brutal effectiveness and given backing by the government. This means questionable actions and moral suspensions, two things Venom has historically been exceptionable at. With classic 90s sensibilities, including nods to Judge Dredd, Venom began to steadily cement their impact in the Marvel Universe.
6 Stopping A Massive Murder Spree
A violent and gruesome tale, Maximum Carnage marks the return of the title menace to Venom's world. Recruiting several other villains, Carnage embarks on a murder spree that brings together their two biggest foes in response: Venom and Spider-Man.
Intrinsic to the narrative and the subsequent defeat of Carnage, this is the closest Venom gets to being a hero. This status is lent further credence given Venom: Let There Be Carnage adapts elements from the story arc.
5 Learning Spider-Man's Identity
Having the advantage is everything in a crusade against superheroes. To contend, any anti-hero or villain needs to be stronger than their adversary or have a trick up their sleeve. Venom gains this upper hand by sheer luck: the symbiote bonds with Spider-Man before eventually transferring to Eddie Brock. Becoming aware of Spidey's identity upon bonding with the symbiote, Eddie Brock thereby holds leverage over the web-slinger and can use assets not previously at their disposal – such as putting Peter Parker's family in danger. The moment of symbiosis occurs in Amazing Spider-Man #300 and Spider-Man has been dependent on Venom's secrecy ever since.
4 Removing A Thermite Bomb
An intense thriller examining the avenues of pain Venom can endure, Venom: The Finale exemplifies the nature of Eddie Brock's living with a symbiote. While he's afforded impressive abilities, it is an immensely painful experience as he's essentially feeling for two. A particularly agonizing moment comes when Venom is implanted with a thermite bomb as a means of controlling them. Steeling himself, Eddie Brock beseeches the symbiote to cut the explosive out of his body. The plan works and speaks to Eddie's strength as well as Venom's capabilities.
3 Joining The Sinister Six
Acting as an all-star villain group of sorts, the Sinister Six is arguably the most recognizable baddie team-up in Marvel history. The resulting competition for membership has brought numerous villains to and from the roster, with only a couple of staple members throughout the years.
Amazing Spider-Man #12 sees the five members of the group form, teasing a sixth that debuts towards the end. It's revealed to be Venom, finally adding the evil crew to their resume of conspiracies against Spider-Man.
2 Helping End The Venomized War (Venomverse #1-5)
Venom is tasked with saving the universe in the appropriately titled Venomverse: the Poisons, capable of absorbing symbiote, are overrunning them and must be stopped. Doctor Strange, desperate for a Resistance, transports Venomized heroes from their universes to his as help against the aliens. Venomverse is massive in scope and epic in its premise. Venom's impact is felt all across the Marvel Multiverse. Venom's success is forcibly drawn onto every other character in the comic, indicating a moment of recognition as to their legacy.
1 Discovering Knull (Venom #2-6)
Knull created the symbiotes, using the first to form a sword and decapitate a Celestial. He is the God to Venom's Adam and Eve, and illustrates the extensive nature of Marvel's probing of the character. Venom learns where they originally come from, what their creator is like, and how that impacts who they should become. It's a stunning moment and grants the symbiotes an otherworldly nature that compliments their abilities. Battles and wars aside, perhaps Venom's greatest feat is knowing themselves.