How Venom Became A Hero
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2023
- The tragic story of Eddie Brock and his eventual redemption. I'm probably making it sound way deeper than it is.
twitter: / lexlennen
instagram: / alexlennen
I'll put the reading order in the description when I can be bothered, but for now I recommend Venom Volume 4 (2018)
Everything is owned by Marvel Comics.
Outro song: • "Shooting Holes" (Twin... - Zábava
Jokes on you you said you wouldn't talk about him, and then a minute into the video you show a picture of him.
still wasn't talking about him, continue to suffer
@@alexlennen I'll be dead before I stop talking about him
@@alexlennen you should do a collab with godzillamendoza, you both make entertaining content and I’d love to see both of you work together
@@alexlennen you should do a video about sin eater
This is truly a Sin Eater moment
The fact that Venom (One of Spider-Man’s greatest rivals and villains) actually gets development and grows to have a kid and not get stuck in a stupid one more day situation stuns me.
It's easier to do a character arc for a villain than a hero. You can show a tragic backstory, explain why they crime, redeem them into heroes or anti-heroes, spiral them into more evil beings, all sorts of stuff. When your foundation is a hero you either make them a hero, destroy their life or turn them into a villain/asshole. You have got to be a good writer if you're going to try to develop of hero. Not everyone is gonna get the All-Star Superman treatment as a hero.
@@orangeapples Anything can be good
Amazing how different the current situation is from back when I was getting into comics in the 2000s, when Eddie was getting shat on as a hopeless loser and delegated to the sidelines to make way for the new Venom host of the year (be it Mac Gargan or Flash Thompson). I mean, sure, there was Anti-Venom, but he had like 10 appearances total over 5 years, and this identity eventually was dropped as well. I wanted Eddie's story to have a happy ending back then, it's nice to see the modern comic writers seem to finally share that wish.
HAHAHA another dub for the symbiotes
@@themysteriousface7633 he wasn’t arguing against that
Venom's development is truly a monument to what can happen if you just let yourself break the status quo of "Hero beats Villain, Villain comes back" ad infinitum
It makes me wonder what might have been with superior spider-man if it had been from a time when marvel editorial was more willing to break status quo. Imagine if Doc Ock had gotten to continue post superior for longer without getting reverted. Imagine normal doc ock, traditional jumpsuit and arms, but as an antihero. I would've loved to see him get in on a civil war type event over the child superheroes considering we know he feels strongly about bringing children into wars. Imagine if superior four had been an entire series that got fleshed out. A full Spider-Verse/King in Black type event instead of a like 5 issue limited series.
i'll give it 2 years until Marvel probably reset Eddie's development lol
@@smaguy64 if it happens ill burn marvel down. XP
@@smaguy64
I’m assuming we’re not including Dream Stone Venom?
comics code authority stopped a lot of villain development
As someone who’s been following his stories since I was a kid, Venom’s development helped bump him up from one of my favorite Spider-Man villains to one of my favorite heroes in all of Marvel.
Now if only we could get that same development for Spider-Man…
This comment should be posted everywhere on the "Spider-Man" floor at the Marvel headquarters
I don't wanna sound stupid but superior spider man is pretty close to what you want alex also made a video about him
Still found it mental how someone like Eddie Brock has a kid of his own in the main universe before Peter Parker. Marvel has blood on their hands...
@@Nigga48323he wasn't speaking literaly abbout the development.
Ragna pfp spotted.
Good video game
One of the reasons I love Eddie Brock as a character is that, even during his villain days when he was a dark reflection of Spider-Man, he had some light within him that was snuffed out by his lying catching up to him. I see Eddie Brock's story as one of atonement and one where even someone who's considered broken can rise above it all and come out as something new and maybe even better than before. It also says a lot that a dark reflection of Spider-Man has enough light in him to have his own way of looking at things from a semi-heroic perspective. It indirectly adds to Peter's character too.
I agree. well said!
Shows that even in the dark there is always light at the end Beautiful man Beautiful
While I was watching this I kept thinking of Topher Grace's Venom. The more I watched this the more I realized how close Topher Grace's Venom is to this.
It's really sad that Venom became a better and more developed hero than Spidey is in the comics. Like I'm happy for Eddie, but dang.
Unfortunately true.
Yeah him having a kid before Spidey speaks for itself on how differently both characters are treated
one more day
Consider this, though: while Spider-Man is by no means completely innocent, his ultimate incorruptibility and status as *The* Fettered among heroes is something that needs to be a constant in order for Venom's positive character arc to shine properly in contrast!
Leaning into the language of tropes even more, I'd say that Peter's relatively flat character arc lends itself perfectly to his status as The Heart of the Marvel franchise as a whole, not unlike the function that Son Goku's character has in the Dragon Ball franchise (which is something Totally Not Mark has talked about at length, and I highly recommend his videos if you like either Dragon Ball, character analyses, or both).
@@Scientist93
I feel like the comment wasn't about Spider-man being a boy scout, but about him stagnating and being prevented from having any meaningful relationships or changes of status quo.
I love that even with the undying love marvel seems to have for the status quo, Eddie has actually been able to grow and change
Huh, I didn't know about his childhood backstory but I love it. It mirrors Peter's in that Eddie could have easily ended up like Peter if things were different, he even had a better moral compass starting out, but he didn't have uncle Ben. He had the opposite basically.
Aunt Neb
While the video is good, the segment after Eddie pleads not guilty comes from Dark Origin which isn't canon. Eddie actually studied hard and put the time in to both excel at both sports (where he gets his weightlifting hobby) and academically all to please his father. Carl's reaction was just to ignore him. He also got hired to the Daily Globe fair and square nor did that mugging scene ever happen. To add further salt in the wound the Marvel Comics event AXIS would also reveal Eddie was right about the Sin Eater. Its no wonder he wanted to commit suicide as aside from running over that kid he did everything right and he still lost it all. Not even Anne would stand by him.
@@krystiangomuka2285
How about before you accuse someone of spreading misinformation you learn how to read? I said the SEGMENT AFTER Eddie pleads not guilty comes from DO. NOT him pleading guilty.
@@TheSwordsman100 hello I am interested in reading the Eddie Brock story and seeing his character development from start to finish without having to read every marvel comic book. Do you have a reading order that I could read to experience his story like the video?
@@MMDAQ
I do but for some reason CZcams is deleting my comment, even though it isn't breaking any rules. I guess even mentioning a outside site triggers the auto delete? Gonna see if this one sticks and then comment again with another attempt on sharing the information.
Venom is probably one of my favorite villain to hero characters in anything ever simply because of the unique way his character thinks and talks. Add the design that screams “bad guy” only to cut to him being obsessed with chocolate gives a fantastic look.
Only comic books could go from accidentally killing a child in a car accident to fighting dinosaurs
As much as I love the idea of Harry being Venom in the upcoming Spider-Man 2 game, this video proves why Eddie is the OG Venom. He shares the symbiote's bitter internal conflict of rejection and trauma.
I never was a fan of harry being venom,like at all. I love Eddie as venom and always will,but I understand them wanting to do it so it can create a much more emotional interaction. Still,with what little we know about Peter and Harry,it might feel underwhelming
Spider man 2 came out in 2004
@@playboi4383They meant the video game that’s coming out this fall.
My lord can you just wait till the game comes out jeez
@@Knightfall-rb7md can’t you just wait till the game comes out before saying it’ll be underwhelming goddamn
It's also worth noting that during the venom space night series it's revealed that hosts and their attitudes can affect and corrupt the symbiote just like the symbiotes can to their hosts. When Venom and Eddie first bonded it's clear that Venom did care about him and vice versa but as Eddie got darker and more brutal it changed Venom as well and then bonding to The Scorpion just made it worse and it wasn't until it went back to its homeworld with Flash that it got back to normal
Eddie Brock is legit one of my favorite characters ever. He went from being a terrifying villain to an anti-hero back to villain back to anti-hero and now to full blown hero. 30 years worth of character growth and development. I can't think of many characters who've done that. Most comic villain who do go through development one way or another regress back into villainy (looking at you Doc Ock). Eddie didn't revert back to that psychopathic murderer he was when he first became Venom. It's insane how Marvel let Eddie grow up and yet they're terrified of letting Peter do the same.
Although I'm not that big of a fan of Cate's run, I do love how he gives an actual motivation as to why Eddie would want to protect the innocent and I love how his relationship is depicted with his son.
The fact that Eddie and Venom has way more development and character growth than Spiderman cracks me up
Reason #8 why i love Venom more than Spider-Man (pls don't find my IP for having an opinion, i'm sorry)
@@MrSnowyballs_animations dw this is not twitter.
The writers hate Spiderman so much that his anti hero side character venom gets better time than him
@@Captaincookie_yt* marvel editorial
I kind of perfer flash and his time as agent venom
There's nothing more tragically hilarious than the venom symbiote forcing Eddie to believe he has cancer to survive, only for him to actually end up getting cancer because of those false memories 💀💀
It wasn't fully used to manipulating Eddie's biology so when it tried to fake a positive test it DID legit end up making cancer appear. Not it's proudest moment and even it admits as much.
Eddie Brock's become one of my top five marvel characters I love the most, his growth as a character, the weight he carries on his shoulders, the love he has for his son, trying to do the right thing while carrying around his dark past, it just makes him such a relatable character.
I just hope modern marvel doesn't ruin what he's become now.
Man, you are my hero,
For two weeks straight you upload these great videos just in time for my chemo sessions, so it's a really bad day for me but your videos really helped me with everything.
Thank you❤
A video a day keeps the Bad Days away
Good luck man, you can do this
@@santiagoacosta3372 thanks man
And this is why Venom is my favorite character in comics (tied with Spider-Man) Eddie, Flash, and the symbiote itself prove even if you were a terrible person or did some bad things you can still come back from it. All three start as bad people (Flash less so but still wasn't great) but all become heroes in their own right. From villain to the guy who saved the universe from Knull as an avenger.
Genuinely astounded there was barely any mentions of Carnage. Cletus is a MASSIVE driving force behind Eddie getting better and dealing with his issues with Pete head-on.
Maybe nowadays but Carnage wasn't that impactful in the original '90s run. The times they teamed up against Carnage usually ended with Peter betraying Eddie or Eddie resuming the grudge.
@@hyperion3145 I mean, you can't say that when there literally wouldn't be a reason for them to team up without Cletus. That's a massive impact and that's only one aspect of Carnage's existence.
@GreaserMan he also teamed up with Carnage to try and stop Toxin, but I might be remembering that wrong lol. That shit is 20 years old now
Been reading Spidey and Venom comics ever since I was a kid. Especially loved the Cates run on the character. Having one of your favorite characters grow and change with you is truly something special. Everybody should have a character or a hero that grows up and changes with them, and I’m glad Venom is mine.
Great video man. Cheers!
I love how, at first, Venom was just created and used to be cool and scary. That’s how I used to him, just those two things and I think many others only viewed him that way. But he went from being just cool and scary to… still those things but so much more. He has trauma, guilt, fear, loneliness, salvation, faith, and so many more layers. Right now, they’re probably shaping Dylan to be the next Venom since has basically ascended beyond that now and I feel like his story is drawing to a close. If his story ever does end, I hope he’ll be happy and satisfied with the life he made for himself and the people he loves.
I'm glad to get an analysis on Eddie. Sure, the symbiote lore is cool, but it's all I hear when I look into Venom. People seem to forget that Eddie is more than the meatbag the symbiote lives in every now and then
I'd genuinely love to see you cover some of Daredevils runs. The Frank Miller run leading up to and including Born Again is a brilliant character study of Matt Murdock wrestling with the dichotmy of his 'Job' as Daredevil and his relationship with his god and religion.
Zdarsky's current run and Devil's Reign is a great modern version of the same story and Zdarsky has basically said that because nobody at Marvel cares about Daredevil he can pretty much do whatever he wants with the character.
I love you Alex Lennen, your videas are amazing, and allow me to learn more about spider-man and other random things. please continue to be awesome!
How did you write all this and still be the first comment. Did you write this down before this?
@@MouseCreations yeah, I wanted to be the first comment, and say something other then "first" or "your great." So I wrote this out and copied and pasted it onto here.
@@firest0rm723 nice
Wholesome
I kind of appreciate the heavy religious symbolism and imagery in Venom's story. Religion is such a major part of so many people's lives but despite that, most comics don't explore the ubiquitous concept. The only exception that comes to mind is Daredevil and of course Eddie. So I respect the writers for tackling this issue, if it's relevant in our lives it should also be relevant in fiction.
Venom has had more character development than spider man ever did
This thing, remind me, when i was a kid, i was so Obsessed with venom.
I wouldn't say that but Eddie's been allowed to keep more of his character growth than Peter has. It doesn't feel like there's a constant reset button hovering over his story because of the editor's own hang-ups
I suggest watching his other Spider-Man videos as Peter has had a ton himself
@@thegreygoblin5165 I'd say he has, Eddie has redeemed himself somewhat and now has a son, compared to Peter who hasn't even been married yet and is now cucked by Gordon Freeman
Venom was written better than Spiderman imo
Agent Venom is super underrated as a hero.
I know right, I genuinely like agent venom more than venom. Mostly because how much he's good nature was foreshadowed before he became a superhero which made he's transition to a good guy even smoother than Eddie's.
@@MrExtraordinaire16 l prefer agent anti venom and anti venom
Poor that agent venom died 💀 and reborn again to remember he shouldn't be here
@@CosmicFN1 agent anti venom is cool but the exact same costume with a diferent colour scheme.
@@MrExtraordinaire16 that’s true also did you know that anti venom can drain Spider-Man’s powers because peters powers are radiation based
Exactly this is how so many more people should be treated in stories. A Humans, with mistakes, with a haunting shadow, with nightmares and the dream for a better life as a better person. Just giant respect to Marvel for this.
I like to think there's an echo of Peter Parker in venom since they first bonded in secret wars. For a time the anger took hold but the way venom is now shows an understanding of the great power great responsibility idea.
Thank you. This is almost exactly what I would write if I were to write an essay about Venom, my favorite super villain/antihero/hero. I relate to Venom/Eddie Brock in that I often feel like I'm such a screw up, but I'm trying my dambedest to do the right thing and be the best person I can be despite my flaws and impulses.
Anyway, thank you. This video was absolutely wonderful.
I have this throw-away theory that changes nothing, but I think the reason Venom had such a toothy smile before going to fangs, the usual symbiote look, is because the machine it was held in, bonding with deadpool, etc altered/ traumatised it, and venom took that long to remember what it should look like.
none of that was a thing back then. It was stated that the symbioted hadn't bonded to any intelligent beings until peter but that got retconned
@@miltain would you REALLY count deadpool as intelligent though?
I loved the underrated and usually overlooked relationship between eddie and venom (symbiote) and it was the most admirable in the most recent comics. I kinda see them as a married couple sometimes lmao. But yeah the moments like when eddie called venom “my love” and when venom kinda sacrificed itself that one time in the knull run, i admire those moments because u can see their bond is not just physical or mental, its also emotional and wholesome.
Even if this channel had one million subscribers, I would still consider it to be underrated.
As a Venom fan I do appreciate a video going through Eddie's rare successful redemption from villain, to anti-hero to finally full hero, even if I disagree that a full redemption is in bad taste. Its honestly truly something special as comics love returning to the status quo. However, there is major one flaw with this video, Dark Origin isn't canon. Donny in his run restored the original version from Lethal Protector (given to Peter notably not by Eddie but the family maid) which instead had Eddie truly excel academically and in sports to please his father to no avail. While Rex confirms the events of Lethal Protector in the first arc, it is later shown that DO's past was part of the false memories. (Which is why Carl, Eddie's father, says he had no daughter) Even before Donny the writers ignored it and worked off the original origin. (also to be frank its generally seen by we of the Venom fandom's OMD or Sins Past equivalent)
happy to see you continuing the series!
I want a full on showdown between you and Owen Likes comics. My two favorite smaller comic channels duken’ it out to the end. It would be epic, incredible, mind bending, and maybe even… ROMANTIC. But for real great job on the video love to see more people talking about the modern incarnation of Venom
Always love your videos. Makes me so happy that you keep making videos about the actual comics
Eddie is such a great character.
That's crazy that Eddies story seems way more complete and developed than Peters...
I really think your videos are very under rated especially your multiverse childhood comic book. I want to say keep going and do what you want to do, never what other people want and let the pace come normally cause these videos are excellent and very entertaining. Your like a fine local bar or spot people like to sit down and go spend time in. Your videos are excellent and i love every one of them. I think in time your videos will get more recognition but you have alot of people here who not only appreciate the videos but actually love your videos. Keep on keeping on
The fact that a kid in the 80’s thought Spider-Man would look cool in a black suit would spiral into that becoming one of the best comic book characters with the best character development
Don’t talk shit on your last video, man. It hit right as I was having a personal crisis and no lie helped me correct myself and sort out my issues. Hearing someone talk about the importance of sticking with what’s right and who you truly are was exactly what I needed, even if it was in the context of a rambling spider-man video.
This one is great too, but it unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, considering the state I was in when I saw the last one) didn’t force me to come to a reckoning with who I wanted to be as a person. Keep rocking, these videos are great regardless of subject matter
i literally just joined the Venom train after the Tom Hardy movie and the recent King in Black event, like!! Eddie Brock was on the periphery for me but then I started reading Cate's run and just fell in love. I cried at the end of that story! And I didn't even have all the context!
Dude, thank you for this. This was honestly the best analyis of Eddie Brock i have seen and, tbh, it perfectly explains why i love the character so much. He's the comeback king for a reason, and honestly, he deserves a comeback.
And a hug, too, if i'm honest.
Great work as always, so happy you posted this. Hope youre doing good, man
Everytime some one says comics always remain in status Quo, Just remind them about Venom
All of your videos are so awesome man, keep doing what your doing. 😊
You are without a doubt the best Spider-man video essayist!!
It's been teased that Dock Ock will have a similar redemption arc in newer comics. If they fully follow through, I hope it turns out as well as Eddie's did.
I only knew about psycho venom and anti-hero venom, it’s interesting to hear about hero Venom
Venom’s using all his king and black powers to carry Spider-Man related comics. Miles helping out a bit too tho.
I'm glad to see you've posted again, ’cause I was glum today :) and u always cheer me up
You are seriously my favorite CZcamsr at the moment
Venom and Morbius should have their very own spin-off television series starring Hank Azaria and Nick Jameson.
Venom and Vegeta are arguably the best anti heroes of all time. I love them so much, and ironically both of them are somewhat counterparts to their protagonist ( Goku and Spiderman ) but constantly lose to them, despite being stated multiple times that they are stronger than them.
I agree
Heck in Super Vegeta has gone full hero as well, they really are media counterparts of each other.
@@TheSwordsman100 totally see what you mean
Fantastic video as always! I've never read any of the standalone Venom stuff, but gonna check it out after this :)
And THIS is why Venom got a solo movie!
Absolutely love these videos!
Alex your work is infinitely rewatchable and the effort you put into each upload shines through like a fucking supernova.
I know Eddie facing Flash Thompson Agent Venom is a mirror to him, but I love the thought of him getting to team up with Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, someone who is psychically linked to a sometimes incomprehensible beast who she learns to care for
Alex i love you so much 😩😩 best comic related videos tbh
another amazing video from Alex Lennon
Ur videos are always great and cheer me up all the time ty for doing wat u do
I have actually never read how Eddie got cancer thank you for an amazing video
I love your channel dude, your videos are so fun to watch
ALEX HAS FINALLY UPLOADED! WOOOO!
Ah a new Alex Lennen video, nice!
I'd love it if you covered Felicia Hardy's history in the comics and maybe her appearances in other media too.
Through your channel I managed to enter and enjoy the comic industry I can't thank you enough for it
I love Venom so much, I'm glad to see a video essay about his character growth :D
Tfw the scary evil goo monster that ate peoples heads has better development than one of the most iconic fictional characters development in the past few years
Bro had a kratos ark with his dad:
"Never hit my son again. Before you meet the symbiote i once was"
An Alex Lennen video a day keeps the boredom away
Thanks for making a video on my favourite marvel character
You are in inspiration to me thank you for always putting a smile on my face
Man is speaking the words of the rightful *GODS*
YAAAY! MORE ALEX LENNEN CONTENT!
honestly i think your last 2 videos have been fantastic
I get more excited when Alex Lennen post a video than my dad coming back with the milk
Venom's recent comic issues pulls him right back into the fray and seemingly puts the cycle of trauma fully on Dylan with Dylan being almost killed by Brock (mainly to his mind getting wiped and he didn't know who Dylan was but just someone else wearing venom is not cool)
for what its worth i think the work shows on your spider-man video and i loved it. also loved this. you make good shit bro.
great video as always
I can't wait till Eddie makes a deal with Mephisto that erases his son and character development from existence to save his pet rock. God bless Marvel editorial.
Venom aka Eddie Brock is like Kratos from God of War. They are like true seinen protagonists
Truth
This video just taught me that Eddie brock is one of the best comic characters. (In my opinion:) ). Spider-Man and related characters are always written so well. My my favourite marvel comics are those set on Spider-Man and his foes. Man they’re cool :D.
This video explains why I love this character. Thank You.
It did show man, the video was great and a fenomenal way of expressing why one more day pisses everyone off
Honestly, I believe a lot of people can resonate with characters like Eddie. If there's one thing that everyone can learn from Eddie's story it's that no matter how fucked up you and your life may be, there's always a chance to make the choice to do what's right. You may not end up happy, and you may end up hurting other people. But if you actively choose to do good and align your choices with the betterment for people, you will find happiness. Every blessing comes with a responsibility. So next time you receive one, ask yourself, "What can I do to maximize my time, effort, and quality of life for myself and others with this blessing?"
P.S. I know I just went on a rant, but I appreciate those who actually took the time to read this 😁
Lets gooo!!!! New vidoe on your old comics!!!
Bloody hell alex, another video in the span of two weeks, you feelin alright
Sin eater please
I love Eddie Brock his Venom was my favorite character when I was younger but now he's only my 2nd favorite person to wear that symbiote. Flash Thompson Agent Venom is the best version of the character and the Rick Remender run is the best Venom comic of all time
Excited for a contraction of ur comics video! I would also love to see some DC stuff from you!!
Another fantasitc video bro!
Good video, but I take issue with the thought that he doesn't deserve a full redemption- that totally undermines what redemption is in the first place. If only characters who are 'good enough' to deserve redemption are allowed to get it... then what's the point of redemption in the first place? If it's not allowed for characters who have done evil actions in the past but have changed, then it's really for no one, and makes the concept totally meaningless. That just leaves it as a cruel, unattainable thing for the characters who need it the most, while only allowing it for characters who are already morally good enough throughout is pointless- they by definition don't need it in the first place.
It is *only* the former villains (whether they were full-time villains, or heroes fallen by very specific past bad actions) that redemption even applies to.
Damn, that's a really good point - thank you
Could you make a video about the lizard? He may not be my favorite spider man villain like venom, but still, I think that doctor Connors story is... tragic, to say the least. Y'know, eating your own son is kinda bad. So if you could talk about Connors/Lizard, it would be awesome!
Hell yeah new Alex lennen video let’s gooo
video so good im rewatching it again just because
I wish we had Eddie as Toxin for a bit longer tbh
Now if only Marvel allows Peter to grow as Eddie did... do it, Marvel. You cowards...