Over the course of Marvel’s entire history, it feels like almost every character has had aVenomsymbiote at one time or another, but the redesign of one underratedAvengerproves that there’s still ways to surprise readers. With a brightly-colored costume that’s far from his usual attire, this mythic hero’s design is something no-one could have expected.
InVenomized#1 by Cullen Bunn and Iban Coello, theclassic Avenger Hercules gets an unexpected symbioteform that’s way different from any costume he’s had before.
KeepingHercules' traditional colorsof green and gold, there’s little else that resembles the Greek God of Strength. His new symbiote mask, or mouth, certainly resembles a classic Corinthian helmet favored by that subset of the Greeks, but even covering Hercules’ face is an unusual step for an Avenger who’s not afraid to bare some skin.
Hercules' Venom Design Is a Radical Reinvention for the Classic Avenger
Venomized#1 by Cullen Bunn, Iban Coello, Matt Yackey, and Joe Caramagna
The 2018Vemonizedevent concludes the story that writer Bunn had been telling sinceVenomversethe previous year. This series of events features theinvasion of the interdimensional “Poisons,“aliens that can take over traditional Marvel symbiotes, which is exactly what happens to the symbiote on Hercules and other heroes. The big problem with Herc being bonded to this new Symbiote is thateventually, the Poison’s host turns violent and begins to lose any humanitythey had, givingVenomizedan excuse to redesign all these heroes - and have them fight each other in classic Marvel style.
I Admit It: Venom’s Family Tree Is One of Marvel’s Most Confusing
From its cosmic progenitors to its youngest grandchildren, Venom’s family tree is instead a messy web of clones, hybrids, and off-shoots.
Even beyond the in-story ticking clock of being subsumed by the Poison, this transformation was never going to last for Hercules. Marvel’s comics always revert to some version of the status quo, anda symbiote version of Hercules is far from his regular status quo. One of the big appeals of these types of events is the chance for artists to go wild trying out new ideas and costumes in a setting where those designs don’t have to stick around in case fan reception is poor. A symbiote Hercules is cool but perhaps better in small doses.
Hercules as Venom Looks More Like Another Godly Character…
Is He Too “God of War”?
If Hercules' new design is reminiscent of any Marvel character, it’s his fellow Greek God, Ares, theGod of War. Ares’ most famous design sees him wearing an actual Corinthian helmet, so it’s interesting that Hercules now gets one. It’s a reminder that, for all his heroism, Hercules isn’t so different from Ares when it comes down to it. Both of them are Greek gods known for their martial strength who’ve fought in wars, and both Hercules and Ares (andVenom,for that matter) have spent time on various versions of theAvengers.
Venomized#1is available now from Marvel Comics.
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
