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In a shock reveal, the Avengers are finally recruiting a shock Marvel Character over three decades after their official debut. Pretty much every Marvel hero has served on the Avengers at one point or another, but there are still a few select characters who haven't yet been asked to join. And in the case of the Avengers' new recruit, there's a very good reason why they've been overlooked until now.

Up against a deadly enemy, the Avengers are recruiting someone they've only ever fought in the past.

Carnage Is Joining the Avengers A New Host Has Given the Serial Killer Symbiote a Fresh Start

In a shock reveal, Carnage is joining the Avengers. A murderous member of the symbiote species and the biological offspring of Venom, Carnage is one of Marvel's deadliest and most twisted villains. And yet as Marvel's new New Avengers series collects "Earth's Deadliest Heroes", the...

Dedicated to spine chilling tales that allow Marvel to push the horror a bit further, the Black, White & Blood line from Marvel Comics is back with a new series starring Venom!

Bloody Disgusting has exclusively learned that Venom: Black, White & Blood #1 (of 4) will launch on August 20, and you can preview the issue’s four different covers below.

The first issue of the new Venom comic series is written by Davie Michelinie, J.M. DeMatteis, and Ryan North, with art by Jonas Scharf, Dave Wachter, and Creees Lee.

The series features a collection of Venom stories from across the history of the symbiote begins here, all rendered in Venom’s own black and white (and red).

David Michelinie and Jonas Scharf take us to the jungle, as Venom stalks a vicious paramilitary science outfit bent on weaponizing Brock’s symbiote!

In the aftermath of Maximum Carnage, J.M. DeMatteis and Dave Wachter...

On 1st May 2025 comic book artist and creator Jackson "Butch" Guice passed away. News of his death first broke by his brother in law James Hettel. His cause of death is unknown, but he had been dealing with health issues. Hettel posted the following on Facebook.

Not often do I put anything out there...but this is worth it. This is a cover that my brother in law, Jackson "Butch" Guice did for a Captain America run he was working on for Marvel Comics. Notice the patch on the left shoulder of the American Soldier in the front of the wedge formation. That's the Unit patch for my Home unit, 478th Combat Eng. Butch could have picked any number of high profile, well known Army units to recognize on a cover of a comic that would go world wide. He chose to give a head nod to my unit. Why?...

Jackson "Butch" Guice, an acclaimed artist for Marvel and DC since the early 1980s, has passed away at the age of 63, according to a social media message from Guice's brother-in-law, James Hettel. Guice had recently been dealing with some health struggles.

Guice was a big fanzine artist in the early 1980s when he did some work on a Rom Annual, which got him his first regular Marvel gig, drawing Micronauts at the tail end of Bill Mantlo's run on the popular toy-inspired series...

Image via Marvel

During that period, he also had a beautiful portfolio published in Marvel Fanfare #9...

With Bob Layton, Guice launched X-Factor for Marvel in 1986...

Image via Marvel

When Louise Simonson took over the book with its sixth issue, Guice left the book soon after, but not before co-creating the iconic X-Men villain, Apocalypse, with Simonson...

Image via Marvel

He did some New Mutants issues during this period.

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Doctor Victor von Doom will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year, as the lead villain of "Avengers: Doomsday." If you haven't heard, the man behind the metal will be none other than former Tony Stark actor, Robert Downey Jr.

To prepare the world for "Doomsday," the big Marvel Comics crossover event of 2025 is "One World Under Doom." The premise, that Doom actually succeeds in taking over the world and does such a good job the heroes are unsure how to oppose him, is similar to 1987's "Emperor Doom".

Back in 2024's "Blood Hunt," Doom became the Sorcerer Supreme, but he didn't need a magic spell to win people's hearts and minds. He's making the sweeping, egalitarian changes that other people with power refuse to, demanding only absolute obedience in return. The general state of things is so bad...

DC's catalog is filled to the brim with characters who haven't gotten their due in various forms, even in the comic universe itself. One of those characters is the fortune teller Madame Xanadu.

For decades, her origins remained a mystery with the character relegated to the background of other character's titles. However, writer Matt Wagner took this character and gave audiences not only her origin but more depth and characterization than any other writer before or since.

Let's explore the Eisner nominated series and what made it such a character defining run.

1. Madame Xanadu Before Wagner's Series

Madame Xanadu made her first appearance in Doorway to Nightmare #1, with her creators being writer David Michelinie and artist Michael William Kaluta. Madame Xanadu wasn't the main character of this comic or her following appearances in this title, but most of her defining character traits were introduced in this series, such as her being a powerful clairvoyant.

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Marvel Studios was the reigning king of Hollywood cinema during the 2010s, led primarily by Robert Downey Jr.'s career-reviving turn as Tony Stark/Iron Man. In the new decade, though, the series has floundered a bit after "Avengers: Endgame."

So, in a Hail Mary move, Marvel has brought back Downey — not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom. Yes, Downey is trading one man in an iron mask role for another, and he will be the main villain of upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars." How exactly is this going to play out? Will Downey simply keep Doom's mask on the entire time, with only the audience knowing what he looks like underneath? Will he be from a universe that's different than the so-called "Sacred Timeline"?

In any case, I think it's regrettable that this is how many will meet Doctor Doom,...

Some see Marvel Comics' heyday as either the Silver Age of Comics or the 1980s, with the latter being an era where almost every major character and franchise had great ongoing titles. The 1990s were a much more infamous decade, both for Marvel and comic books as a whole. Grim and gritty were in, and this saw several characters in the Marvel Universe hit it bigger than others.

The 1990s catapulted several Marvel heroes and antiheroes into stardom, be they X-Ceptional mutants or symbiotic Lethal Protectors. This time period defined Marvel's X-Men in particular, and they had just the right amount of edge for the era. The same was true for various vigilantes and antiheroes, who shined brighter than ever in the Dark Ages of Comics.

RelatedMarvel Rivals' Season 1 Vampire Plot is a Throwback to a Bizarre '90s Spider-Man Adventure

In the mid-1990s Spider-Man found himself facing vampires...

The comic book origins of Venom are storied and dramatic. The legend goes that a Marvel Comics fan named Randy Schueller wrote a letter to the company in 1982, suggesting that Spider-Man's costume be changed from the classic red-and-blue color scheme to a more minimalist black-and-white outfit. Marvel liked the enclosed design and paid him $220 for the idea. Spider-Man was in the black outfit for a few years thereafter.

Later on, John Byrne stated that the black outfit was not made of cloth. Instead, it was composed of a partially biological alien material, itself a conceit invented to cover the fact that the costume would be ripped in one panel only to show up miraculously repaired in the next.

Later still, it was established that the biological costume was a sentient alien entity made of liquid that had mentally bonded with Spider-Man, making it a symbiote. After wrestling with the alien entity in his brain,...

Despite negative reviews, Venom was a hit in 2018. Grossing $856 million at the worldwide box office on a reported $116 million production budget, the movie's success continued when it hit physical media (it's said to have earned $70.7 million in DVD and Blu-ray sales).

Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Venom: The Last Dance weren't quite as successful - earning $501.5 million and $474.5 million, respectively - but Sony Pictures has still made a lot of money from the Lethal Protector.  

Todd McFarlane and David Michelinie co-created the iconic villain who has little in common with Tom Hardy's interpretation of Eddie Brock. Talking to Cbr, McFarlane shared his thoughts on how Venom has been translated to screen and his evolution from bad guy to anti-hero.

"Well, I didn't have, I didn't have any input into any other and again, it doesn't bug me, right? Like I understand what the rules are. So they did their movie.

TheVenomtrilogy kicked off Sony's Spider-Man Universe in 2018. With its final entry released in 2024, Venom: The Last Dance, it is currently the most successful project in the Ssu.

Todd McFarlane was the first person to draw the first full appearance of Eddie Brock and he and David Michelinie are credited with the character's creation, and he has just shared his thoughts on the trilogy. Although McFarlane was not involved in any of the films in no capacity, the link to the character's origins ties him closely to the films. Speaking to Cbr's Caroline Ramsburg at Megacon Orlando, the comic book legend addressed the films, as well as the changes from Venom the villain into a good guy.

RelatedTodd McFarlane Shares Encouraging Update on King Spawn Reboot (Exclusive)

The longtime Spawn project is in good hands with Todd McFarlane.

Asked if the Venom trilogy turned out the way he hoped he would,...

If there is one Marvel Cinematic Universe film known for its troubled production, it would be the new Blade. But if there was a second troubled MCU production, it is Armor Wars. Originally announced all the way back in December 2020 as a Disney+ series, Armor Wars was set to see Don Cheadle reprise his role as James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine in a story centered on dealing with the technology of Tony Stark making its way out to the public. There has been little to no news on the project besides it being shifted from a Disney+ series to a feature film. Many believe Armor Wars has been canceled, and the latest update doesn't do much to assuage that thought.

While speaking with Collider ahead of the release of Captain America: Brave New World, producer and Marvel Studios' VP of Production & Development Nate Moore touched on the topic of Armor Wars.

Marvel Studios announced that Armor Wars was being developed as a feature (as opposed to a Disney+ series) back in 2022, but official updates have been pretty much non-existent since.

We did hear that the studio had yet to make a "final decision" on the movie one way or the other, and could still choose not to move forward. More recently, scooper Daniel Richtman reported that the project is being "reworked" after the negative response to Disney+'s Secret Invasion series, and is "expected to focus on entirely different things than originally planned."

Last week, we reported that the movie may have been cancelled altogether (or was "as good as dead" ), and Brave New World producer Nate Moore has now confirmed that the project is no longer a priority for the studio.

"You know, that’s not my project, to be honest," he told Collider. "But, I do know, as Marvel...

It's a bad day to be a War Machine fan. The fan-favorite superhero's solo movie, Armor Wars, has just been hit with an unfortunate update by outgoing Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore.

In a recent interview with Collider to promote Captain America: Brave New World, Moore — who is departing Marvel Studios to focus on non-Marvel projects — shared that he wasn't quite sure what was going on with Armor Wars, but that it had been put on the back burner for the time being. "You know, that’s not my project, to be honest. But, I do know, as Marvel [Studios] continues to go through this phase, we want to make sure whatever we’re making is awesome. So that means we had to slow down some things that were on the front burner," he explained. "It doesn't mean we'll never make it, but it does mean we just have to be...

We haven't had many (any?) official updates on Armor Wars since Marvel Studios announced that the project was being developed as a feature back in 2022, but last year, we heard that the studio had yet to make a "final decision" on the movie one way or the other, and could still choose not to move forward.

More recently, scooper Daniel Richtman reported that the project is being "reworked" after the negative response to Disney+'s Secret Invasion series, and is "expected to focus on entirely different things than originally planned."

While this might well have been true at the time, Mttsh has now suggested that the movie has been cancelled altogether. We've done some digging of our own, and were told that Armor Wars is indeed "as good as dead."

If accurate, this wouldn't really be too surprising. Though a War Machine-focused story incorporating elements from David Michelinie and Bob Layton...

Right now, MCU fans everywhere are waiting in anticipation for the release of Avengers: Doomsday, not just because it’s the next big event-movie of the franchise, but because it will see the return of iconic Iron Man actor, Robert Downey Jr. Rdj’s Tony Stark sacrificed himself in Avengers: Endgame, but that won’t be enough to prevent his return in Avengers: Doomsday, especially since he won’t be coming back as Tony Stark, but another character altogether: Doctor Doom. And, if the MCU wants to do this story right, it needs to lean on a forgotten Iron Man plot in Marvel Comics.

The Iron Man plot in question is What If? - Iron Man: Demon In An Armor by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and Graham Nolan. In this one-shot What If? story, Tony Stark and Victor von Doom are college roommates. Stark is a source of constant annoyance for Doom,...

While Iron Man is a household name these days, thanks to his charismatic portrayal by Robert Downey Jr. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he wasn't always the publisher's most popular character. Despite his charming personality, he was always a billionaire weapons manufacturer and war profiteer – but that all changed with one 1979 story arc: "Demon in a Bottle."

Occurring in The Invincible Iron Man (Volume 1) #120-128 – written by David Michelinie, with art by John Romita Jr. – "Demon in a Bottle" addressed the real-world ramifications of Tony Stark's cosmopolitan character portrayal, by asking how Tony could keep being Iron Man when otherwise he would be too drunk to drive.

As his friends and loved ones worried about him, Iron Man's most powerful enemy was revealed to be Tony Stark himself, in a story that fundamentally changed the character, and arguably Marvel Comics as a whole, forever.

Marvel Comics' Definitive Iron Man Storyline,...

The Super-Soldier Serum is one of Marvel Comics’ most ingenious ideas with everyone from Captain America to Man-Thing having some history with the formidable formula. Over the years, many have tried to replicate this vaunted serum with results that range from inspiring to horrifying and everywhere in between.

And while turning scrawny Steve Rogers into the Sentinel of Liberty was one of the more notable applications of this serum, Captain America is far from the only Super-Soldier success story.

Codename: Bravo/"Richard" Created by Ed Brubaker & Steve McNiven

An ally turned enemy of Captain America himself, the enhanced operator known as Codename: Bravo was an old wartime ally of Rogers, along with Nick Fury and Peggy Carter, until a failed mission left him stranded in another dimension. While the results of his own Super-Soldier Serum variant don’t quite put him at Rogers’ level, he’s still twice as strong,...

The MCU helped turn Iron Man into a household name, but the character had a rich history in the world of Marvel Comics long before. Now that Tony Stark's time in the movies seems to be over (for now), there are sure to be fans eager to seek out and enjoy stories to dive deeper into the character. Or diehard comic readers looking to revisit some of their old favorites.

Whether it's expanding on the fallout of the infamous Civil War, exploring various versions of Tony Stark throughout the Multiverse, these stories explore the complexity of the character, his darkest moments, and his greatest triumphs that help to cement him as one of Marvel's greatest comic book heroes. These are the the 20 Best Iron Man Stories in Marvel History.

Iron Man Noir (2010) Scott Snyder, Manuel Garcia

Many readers are familiar with Spider-Man Noir and how that character proved to...

Every Marvel fan knows that Carnage is ten times worse than Venom, especially when he's paired with his classic host, Cletus Kasady. He's a bloodthirsty, rage-filled maniac bent on the destruction of all life. That's only in American comics though - in a manga style, Carnage's personality can only be heightened into something so terrifying that it will disturb Marvel fans for years to come.

Out of all the symbiotes in Marvel's history, Carnage is still the deadliest, if not the most villainous too. Now, in a new preview, he's getting a manga-like redesign for Kid Venom #3 by Taigami, Hatano, Mattia Iacono, Joe Sabino, and Aki Yanagi. Gracing the cover of this new issue, a very different Carnage is coming to Marvel, looking just as bone-chilling as the original.

Never before has Carnage's host been so lacking in red, as he instead dons a white outfit with a white hairstyle,...

Warning: Spoilers for The Avengers #19!Tony Stark's original addiction doesn't even top Iron Man's alcohol addiction. Tony Stark's penchant for liquor has been well-documented, most infamously in "Demon in a Bottle" by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and John Romita Jr., one of the best Iron Man stories of all time. However, Marvel has made it a point to remind readers in recent years that Iron Man's first addiction wasn't alcohol.

Iron Man's first addiction was war, and The Avengers #19 by Jed MacKay, Farid Karami, Federico Blee, and Cory Petit illustrates why he may never overcome that addiction. The new Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Doom, presents a hypothetical, perfect world to the Avengers, and in that vein presents a world where neither Iron Man nor the world have a need for weapons.

But it's an unrealistic vision of the world that the comic ensures will never come to pass. As such,...

Quick Links Eddie Brock Is Now in New York Theres a Symbiote Still in the MCU Eddie Brock Can Reunite With Venom After It Goes Through Spider-Man

After Venom's live-action debut in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, Sony had been trying to get a solo film for the Lethal Protector for years. The Venom film eventually became a reality with Tom Hardy starring as Eddie Brock. In 2018, Venom went on to become a surprise success for Sony and eventually led to a solo trilogy. Venom has no shortage of solo comics and now an entire universe to himself, but the character has always had ties to Spider-Man. Sony's Venom trilogy features minimal references to the wall-crawler and instead puts him up against villains like Carnage.

Venom: The Last Dance was the final film in the trilogy and based on comments from Hardy, it seems that is true unless he's...

The following contains spoilers for Venom: The Last Dance, in theaters now.

Touted as the final entry in the series, Sony's Venom: The Last Dance reunites Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock with the alien symbiote for a conclusive foray onto the big screen. Easily the most successful of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, the series has had the most connection to not only this universe, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like the MCU, many fans will also want to wait until the credits finish rolling.

Like its successor, Venom: The Last Dance features a post-credits scene after the movie finishes. Given that the film itself is an emotional farewell to the saga that started in 2018, most audiences will want to celebrate until the end of the credits, anyway. While this might be the last Venom movie, as moviegoers are familiar with the series, there is a hint that something else is on the horizon.

This article contains massive spoilers for "Venom: The Last Dance."

What is Venom? Who is Venom? Are we Venom? These are the questions that Venom and the trilogy of films that bear his name have been struggling with since the black, gooey symbiote first hijacked a probe to Earth in the 2018 movie. In some ways, Venom is the quintessential comic book character, with creators Todd MacFarlane and David Michelinie building upon some pre-existing "Spider-Man" lore and making him an aesthetics-first, thought-second figure. To wit: when you think of Venom the character, you instantly picture white eyes, black goo, tentacles, a huge tongue and long, sharp teeth; you're not initially thinking of any deep emotion or internal struggle within the dude. That's partially because of the way Venom has evolved and been used over the decades, with various writers and artists shifting his parameters around to try and keep up with the character's iconographic popularity.

The massive Marvelcosmology has transcended far beyond the simple definitions of gods. While Thor and Loki may be household names, they are far from the most powerful gods that dictate the fate of the Marvel Multiverse. Even within the past decade, Marvel has expanded their cosmic pantheon of multiversal deities beyond what could have ever been originally conceived.

From destroyers of worlds, to cosmic embodiments of concepts, to sentient non-existence, Marvels growing menagerie of gods has transformed the media into one of omniversal proportions. While readers can look at Earths heroes and villains as ultimate powerhouses compared to the real world, even they are dominated by the overwhelming force that is Marvels greater divine cosmology. To help make sense of the greatest of the greatest of gods in Marvel Comics, these are the most powerful gods in Marvel continuity (so far).

The Utgard-Gods Debuted In X-Men / Alpha Flight #1 by Chris Claremont...

Despite playing Venom on the big screen for the past six years, Tom Hardy had not met Todd McFarlane, co-creator of the character. During a press run for Venom: The Last Dance, the two were introduced by surprise, and much praise ensued.

During an interview with ComicBook.com, a reporter asked Hardy, as well as Venom: The Last Dance director Kelly Marcel, if they knew who had created the famous antihero. Without hesitation, both director and lead actor answered with McFarlanes name, at which point a curtain was drawn, revealing the originator of the iconic character.

Its Venoms Dad! Venom Co-Creator @Todd_McFarlane surprises Tom Hardy and Kelly Marcel during ComicBooks interview for #Venom: The Last DanceIn theaters this Thursday! pic.twitter.com/LkMdVxQbkY ComicBook.com (@ComicBook) October 20, 2024

Related Prime Video's God of War Series Gets Unfortunate Update 2 Years After Announcement

The Amazon video game adaptation has suffered a major setback.

Secret Invasion was not well-received by the majority of fans, and the plot point that seems to have come in for the most backlash was the twist involving Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle).

Making War Machine a Skrull imposter was one thing, but revealing that the real Rhodey had been replaced by a shape-shifting alien shortly after sustaining his injury in Captain America: Civil War - rendering his emotional farewell to dying Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame meaningless - really didn't go over well.

As it turns out, Cheadle has some issues with the twist himself.

"Uh… you know, there was no… it wasn’t a demand. It was a request," the actor told TV Line when asked for his reaction to finding out about the Skrull twist. “'What do you think about playing this?' And it was to set up stuff in the following thing. So, if the following thing happens,...

"I cannot live on chicken and chocolate alone, I need brains." - Venom in Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Created by writer David Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane in 1988, Venom has become not only one of Spider-Man's most iconic foes, but one of the most popular and merchandisable characters in Marvel Comics. Initially a villain, the character was rebranded as an anti-hero and dubbed "The Lethal Protector." From his razor-sharp teeth to his large tongue, one of Venom's most iconic character traits is his desire to eat brains, which has been on merchandise for the character and is frequently shown in the recent Venom movies.

Venom: The Last Dance Adventure Sci-FiActionSuperhero

Release Date October 25, 2024Director Kelly MarcelCast Tom Hardy, Peggy Lu, Stephen Graham, Cristo Fernndez, Juno Temple, Alanna Ubach, Rhys Ifans, Chiwetel EjioforWriters Kelly Marcel, Tom HardyStudio(s) Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Pascal PicturesDistributor(s) SonyFranchise(s) Spider-Man, Venom Expand...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe and, by extension, the Sony Spider-Man Universe have set itself up as a continuity where each characters' introduction feels like the definitive live-action iteration. As a result, the likes of Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man or Tom Holland's Spider-Man feel irreplaceable. That said, there were many names that embodied certain characters before, and it proved that there are many takes that help define one character. That said, some aren't appreciated until much later, such as one controversial villain from Spider-Man 3.

The behind-the-scenes history of Spider-Man 3 is just as popular as "Bully Maguire" or the shoehorned introduction of Venom in a movie that already features multiple villains. Even still, Sam Raimi's final outing in the world of Spider-Man has grown to become appreciated by fans for what it did and its unfailing ability to keep the spirit of what made the other two movies so iconic.

Since first appearing in the movie of the same name, Predator has been one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises in pop culture. The original film follows a team of special forces search and rescue operatives in a Central American jungle, where they realize they're being hunted by an alien warrior, the Predator. After the success of the original movie, the franchise joined a long list of '80s icons in the comic book industry, with non-stop adaptations in all the years since.

The adventures and feuds of various Yautja "Predators" have since become a staple of the comic book industry, with the creatures being a go-to source of good crossover fights. Ranging from Marvel and DC heroes to bizarre meetings with kid-friendly characters, the Predator continues to be one of the most versatile properties in print. For people who want to enjoy a great action story in the style of '80s movies,...

Spider-Mans corner of the Marvel Universe is host to the gooey alien species known as the Klyntar or more commonly referred to as symbiotes with Venom and his various offspring being constant thorns in Spideys side that he cant seem to shake. And in a new hyper-realistic cosplay featuring one of the deadliest symbiotes in comics, Scream steps into the real world in a truly terrifying way, complete with her wild, whipping hair, and all.

Related Venom Lore Changes Forever as The Prince In Black Finally Arrives

As Peter Parker and Eddie Brock battle over who will be the next King in Black, one surprising character announces themselves as the Prince in Black.

Images shared on Instagram by Grace McClung (@graciethecosplaylass), this cosplayer is a prolific talent with multiple professional-level designs that run the gamut of characters hailing from the comic book, live-action, anime, video game space, and beyond.

We haven't had many (any?) official updates on Armor Wars since Marvel Studios announced that the project was being developed as a feature back in 2022, but a recent rumor did claim that the studio has yet to make a "final decision" on the movie one way or the other, and could still choose not to movie forward.

Don Cheadle - who is, as far as we know, still attached to star as James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine - was asked if he could share any news on the project during an appearance on the Today Show, and gave what could be perceived as a very telling response.

"What's Armor Wars?," the actor asked with a smile, before adding that it's basically an "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you" situation.

Aside from being a great way to shut down the question, this does suggest that there is something to discuss,...

We haven't had many (any?) official updates on Armor Wars since Marvel Studios announced that the project was being developed as a feature back in 2022, but a recent rumor did claim that the studio has yet to make a "final decision" on the movie one way or the other, and could still choose not to movie forward.

Don Cheadle - who is, as far as we know, still attached to star as James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine - was asked if he could share any news on the project during an appearance on the Today Show, and gave what could be perceived as a very telling response.

"What's Armor Wars?," the actor asked with a smile, before adding that it's basically an "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you" situation.

Aside from being a great way to shut down the question, this does suggest that there is something to discuss,...

Superman and Aquaman bond over shared tragedies in Absolute Power #2 as Clark faces the potential loss of his son Jon to Amanda Waller. Aquaman's past loss of his son adds emotional depth to his heart-to-heart with Superman, who grapples with failing to protect Jon from Waller. The fate of Jon Kent hangs in the balance as he is transformed into a cyborg under Waller's control.

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Power #2!Superman and Aquaman have long been allies in the Justice League, but their stories rarely intersect outside of big team-ups. Now, though, a tragic twist of fate is bringing them closer than ever, as Clark Kent finds himself on the brink of joining a club that no hero ever wants to be part of.

Even if Jon does survive, there remains the pressing concern of whether Brainiac Queens reprogramming can be undone or if Supermans son is lost forever.

Robert Downey Jr. is set to play Doctor Doom in the MCU, and there's one thing that he will need to bring to the character: Doom's unparalleled willpower. Doctor Doom's will is so strong that he can resist the influence of the Purple Man's mind-controlling power. Doctor Doom's willpower is key to resisting the Purple Man, and is an essential element in Rdj's MCU portrayal.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Venom: Separation Anxiety #4! One of the most shocking reveals to come from the MCU in recent memory is that Robert Downey Jr. will be playing the live-action version of Doctor Doom. Given his stellar performance as Tony Stark aka Iron Man, it should come as no surprise that he will absolutely nail the role of Victor Von Doom. And when he does, Rdj must get one character detail right - a detail that fans were recently reminded of with Dooms all-new power.

[This story contains spoilers from Deadpool & Wolverine.]

Marvel fans are still trying to wrap their heads around last Saturday’s Marvel Panel at San Diego Comic-Con, where it was revealed that Robert Downey Jr. will be taking up the mask of Victor von Doom. The reactions have vacillated between enthusiasm, disappointment and confusion over seeing Downey return, and I have my share of opinions about it. But whatever we may feel about the decision, Avengers: Doomsday is happening with Robert Downey Jr. We all have our theories about the why of it, but let’s look to the “how?” So, with the comic books as our map, how will Downey’s version of Doctor Doom work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Most Marvel Comics fans would agree that Dr. Doom reigns supreme when it comes to villains. Yes, Thanos got a massive boost in comic popularity thanks to the MCU’s Infinity Saga but before that,...

Marvel characters often shift from villain to hero, showcasing redemption arcs that enrich their complexity. Villains like Venom, Loki, and even Doctor Octopus have embraced heroism, proving that redemption is possible. Characters like Scarlet Witch and Magneto blur the line between hero and villain, highlighting the complexity of morality in Marvel.

Marvels line between heroism and villainy can be a thin one, bent to fit the needs of their story. Sometimes a character who's spent their entire comic book tenure as a murderous supervillain experiences a sudden change of heart, taking a path of good. Other times, a troubled soul endures a slow and grueling journey toward heroism as they repent for their sins.

Regardless, watching a villain reject their evil past for the pursuit of good can be a thrilling experience. During the era of the Comics Code Authority, villains were subject to never being released from their criminal actions.

Robert Downey Jr. is back! No, he is not returning as some Tony Stark variant popping in from the multiverse. Instead, he will be seen playing the villain, Doctor Doom instead. The actor will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers 5 which has now been officially renamed to Avengers: Doomsday. Well, MCU’s Kang days are officially over.

Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Endgame (2019) | Marvel Studios

And while we are all very excited to have Rdj back, we sure are a little confused. Since the supes are pretty well-versed with who Tony Stark was, Doctor Doom resembling him in appearance might be a little problematic. However, all of this can be overcome if Marvel decides to adapt the storyline of one comic – What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor.

A Marvel Comic That Makes Robert Downey Jr.’s Return Make Sense

What If? Iron Man: Demon in...

Venom started as just a costume change for Spider-Man but evolved into a popular hero and villain. Venom's humble beginnings as a black suit led to his transformation into a key part of Spider-Man's history. Eddie Brock's journey from villain to anti-hero to hero showcases Venom's evolution and redemption in the Marvel Universe.

While Venom started out as just another Spider-Man villain, he ended up becoming so much more. What started out as just a costume change for one of Marvel's heroes, eventually transformed into a brand-new character who has been both hero and villain.

Venom would eventually become an unbelievably popular character with a film trilogy to his name, his beginnings are actually surprisingly humble. Venom didn't start out as the terrifying symbiote that everyone knows today. Instead, Venom started out as a black suit for Spider-Man, with even its writers unaware of the story about to unfold.

The Purple Man is now a terrifying force to be reckoned with, armed with Venom symbiote powers and his mind control abilities. Killgrave's symbiote upgrade fixes his previous power downgrade, allowing him to physically touch victims with his tendrils. Still seeking more power, the Purple Man is determined to steal the entire Venom symbiote and become the unstoppable King in Purple.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Venom: Separation Anxiety #2! The Purple Man is one of the most dangerous and underrated Marvel Comics villains in the history of the franchise, and now that he has a piece of the Venom symbiote, hes never been deadlier. Not only does Zebediah Killgrave have the superhuman ability to control practically anyone he speaks to with the sound of his voice alone, he now has all the powers associated with those bonded with a symbiote. And hes not done upgrading just yet, as Killgrave is...

The Purple Man gains control of the Venom symbiote in a shocking twist that could make him unstoppable. Venom's bond with Eddie Brock is threatened as part of the symbiote attaches itself to the Purple Man. The King in Purple emerges as the Purple Man gains physical power of Venom alongside his mind control abilities.

Warning! Contains spoilers for Venom: Separation Anxiety #1!

A massively underrated Marvel villain is using the Venom symbiote to become even more dangerous. While there have been a few Venom hosts over the years, the bond between Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote has always been the strongest. The two are a perfect match, which is why it's so concerning that one major Marvel villain seems to be finally coming between the two.

In Venom: Separation Anxiety #1 by David Michelinie and Romulo Fajardo Jr, readers get to see the first time Eddie is in danger of losing the symbiote.

Modern Marvel movies may be straying too far from original comic designs in favor of safe, muted adaptations. Taskmaster's original intense costume, with a skull mask and bright colors, is a far cry from McU's version. Cosplayer Brittany Noel's tribute to Taskmaster's original design highlights a need for bolder Marvel adaptations.

The iconic Avengers and Black Widow villain, Taskmaster, shines in an epic cosplay that pays tribute to Anthony "Tony" Masters' comic-accurate costumeone that is too bold for Marvel to ever feature in a live-action adaptation. This Taskmaster costume also raises the important question of whether Marvels tendency to scrap original character designs in favor of more modern ones is always the best decision, or rather a cowardly one.

With recent Marvel movies performing less favorably in sales than their predecessors, perhaps it's time for some innovation that draws inspiration from the past.

Taskmaster, known for his photographic reflexe...

The third (and possibly final) Venom movie has wrapped filming and is set for a theatrical release in October. Plot details are still under lock and key at Sony, but some Marvel fans think they've figured out who will be the villain.

On social media, an image originally posted by @misterkrasinski on X claims to reveal a look at the gift ballcap and T-shirt given to members of the stunt team for Venom: The Last Dance. The cap reveals Venom's face mixed with green-colored scratch marks, while the shirt features the "e" in Venom replaced with a "3" that's green in color. Comic book readers are thinking this is a hint that Lasher will be the villain in Venom: The Last Dance.

A new stunt product for Venom 3#venom3 #venom #tomhardy pic.twitter.com/LgguujMjHi Mr Krasinski (@misterkrasinski) May 10, 2024

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Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck versions of Hawkeye and Ant-Man grace the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man variant cover to celebrate the Avengers and X-Men 60-year anniversary. Artist Sciarrone recreates a classic Avengers comic cover with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. This whimsical recreation showcases Donald Duck's unique personality as Ant-Man and adds an extra dose of fun to these beloved characters.

Sorry, Jeremy Renner and Paul Rudd, but Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck have stepped into the roles of Hawkeye and Ant-Man in a brilliant recreation of a classic The Avengers comic cover. This delightful mashup of characters is brought to life by Disney's What If...? variant covers, set to grace select issues of upcoming Amazing Spider-Man releases in celebration of 60 years of the Avengers and X-Men.

On September 11, 2024, fans can grab their very own copy of Claudio Sciarrone’s variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #57, starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Terrence Howard was initially intended to continue playing James Rhodes/War Machine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but was replaced by Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2. Howard's departure from the role was partly due to a significant decrease in pay, which created tension between him and Robert Downey Jr. Don Cheadle's portrayal of James Rhodes/War Machine has been well-received and he has become a prominent character in the MCU, appearing in multiple movies and upcoming projects.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was established in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, which introduced numerous mainstays, including Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts, Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, Clark Gregg's Phil Coulson, and Jon Favreau's Happy Hogan. It also featured Terrence Howard as James "Rhodey" Rhodes. However, Terrence Howard's time as War Machine was short-lived, being replaced by Don Cheadle in the 2010 sequel,...

Venom surprises fans by revealing his ability to control electricity, redirecting it at a criminal to short-circuit their equipment. Despite assumptions that Venom may be weak to electricity due to his heat weakness, he can alter voltage from lethal shock to simple jolt. This newfound ability adds to the complex powers of the symbiote, showing that Venom may have more surprises up his sleeves.

Venom has a pretty well-known list of powers and abilities, such as enhanced agility, strength, the ability to shape-shift, and a host of abilities he inherited from Spider-Man. But Venom's co-creator revealed that he has one more surprising ability: control over electricity.

The surprising and forgotten superpower of Venom was shown off in 2022's Venom: Lethal Protector #2 by David Michelinie and Ivan Fiorelli. In this issue, to deal with a villain named Humbug who relies on technology, Venom breaks open a power box and absorbs the electricity from it.

In the Lethal Protector miniseries, Venom discovered his vulnerability to being overwhelmed by sound the hard way, when he underestimated "Z-list" villain Humbug, and was defeat with loud insect noises. Humbug's use of sound technology made him a surprisingly dangerous adversary for Venom, exposing the symbiote's most notable weakness. Even the most astute Marvel readers may not be familiar with Humbug, making him a surprising – though no less effective – adversary for Venom.

As strong as Venom is, he has two major weaknesses; both fire and noise can do significant damage to the symbiote, and this allowed one low-level villain to defeat Venom with ease. While Venom has regularly gone up against heavy-hitters like Spider-Man, and dark gods like Knull, the one villain that took Venom down with ease is one only the most hardcore Marvel fans have ever heard of.

Venom: Lethal Protector #2 – by David Michelinie and Ivan Fiorelli – finds...

Be prepared to witness a dangerous confrontation between Venom and the Purple Man in "Venom: Separation Anxiety." Zebediah Killgrave's ability to brainwash makes him the most threatening enemy Venom has ever faced. Eddie Brock must save the Venom symbiote from potential corruption by the terrifying Purple Man.

The Purple Man sets his sights on the Venom symbiote in an all-new retro series that sees the underrated MCU villain become the King in Purple. Venom is one of the strongest symbiotes in the Marvel universe and plenty of characters have sought to use it over the years. It's been used by Eddie Brock, Peter Parker, Wolverine, Flash Thompson, Mac Gargan, and dozens of other characters. But few hosts will be as dangerous as the Purple Man if he gets his hands on it.

Readers are going to get to see the surprising confrontation between Venom and the Purple Man in Venom: Separation Anxiety,...

In Marvel's long history of shocking or controversial stories, Avengers #200 stands apart as one of the publisher's most heinous, disturbing, and unthinkable today. In the story, Carol Danvers delivers a child after a mystery pregnancy, with the child growing to adulthood and victimizing her in the same issue. Marvel Editor and co-writer Jim Shooter now admits his mistake in approving the storyline decades later, recognizing it as one that should never have been published.

Contains discussion of sexual assault.

Marvel Comics' most controversial moment in Avengers #200 was so bad, the person responsible for approving the storyline later apologized and called it "heinous." When it comes to Marvel's worst comic book arcs, none are more awful and puzzling than the time Ms. Marvel gave birth to the man who would assault her in the very same issue.

In a post on his blog, Jim Shooter, former Marvel Editor-in-Chief, and credited co-writer...

With Venom 3 set to swing into theaters on November 8, 2024, yet little to no details having been revealed about the film's cast of characters or plot, fans have plenty of room to speculate as to where exactly the next entry in Sony's Venom saga will be headed. Fortunately, there are plenty of comic book storylines that could easily be adapted for the silver screen, even if they wouldn't all make that shift as direct translations of the source material.

Some of the biggest Venom stories from the pages of Marvel Comics seem like they would be far too grand to ever make sense within the confines of a single film. That being said, there are easy ways to trim those down to size without doing the originals any disservice. At the same time, there are also plenty of smaller-scale Venom tales that would push Venom 3 into the kind...