Summary
Marvel’s newUltimate Spider-Manhas seemingly introduced its version ofVenom, and its relationship to both Spider-Man and his family makes it creepier than ever. This isa version of Venomthat’s closer to Peter than he’d like to admit, and one that might lead him down a journey of self-discovery even as it threatens his life.
AIPT released a previewforUltimate Spider-Man#8 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Marco Checchetto –which highlights the creepiness of Peter Parker’s new personal AI, which many fans have immediately come tosuspect will become this continuity’s Venom.
In the preview, Peter’s AI housed inhis Spider-Man suitreveals that it can talk to him even when he’s not wearing it and asks Peter to wish his kids a happy birthday from him. While this makes sense, since the AI is a copy of Peter’s psyche, it’s still majorly creepy, and Peter acknowledges it as such.
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TheUltimateVenom theory is bolstered by the preview forUltimate Spider-Man#8, where the AI begins to reach for Peter in a way that looks remarkably like black, Venomy tendrils.
As explained inUltimate Spider-Man#7, both Spidey and the heroic Ultimate Green Goblin’s suits, built using Stark Tech,contain Ais which can be programmed to mimic personalities. Peter chooses himself as the AI’s model, which immediately begins giving him a slightly anxious, snippy monologue in his own voice.This world’s Otto Octavious, Harry Osborn’s tech guy, explains that the AIs are actually consciousnesses, meaning that they can make their own decisions to some degree, based on what the personalities they’re modeled on might do.
Given its black speech bubbles and the suggestion that it might have a will of its own, it seems to be telegraphed that this AI is destined to become Venom. TheUltimateVenom theory is bolstered by the preview forUltimate Spider-Man#8, where the AI begins to reach for Peter in a way that looks remarkably like black, Venomy tendrils. Otto also explicitly mentions that nothing shy of a full shutdown of Spidey’s suit could turn off the AI, whichsounds like strong foreshadowing for how Peter might have to fight the suit in the future.
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.
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All the set-up forUltimateSpider-Man’s new Venom is there, it’s just a matter of what lights the spark.
All great supervillains are in some way dark mirrors of the heroes they fight, and if this new version of Venom is ‘Peter’ then it only takes this idea to its logical conclusion.So many Spider-Man storiesare about Peter overcoming his own doubts, failings and worst impulses, and the new Venom could literalize this struggle.So much ofUltimate Spider-Manhas so far focused on Peter’s self-actualization, him owning his own life, and him actively confronting something that’s expressing the worst parts of himself might be the next step in this process.
The most notable thing so far about the AI is its obsessiveness and care for Peter’s children, which reflects how strongly Peter feels about protecting his family. If the AI were to decide that Peter’s wasn’t doing a good enough job protecting his kids, or that it had some level of ownership over them, then thiscould be the thing that turns it bad, especially if – like in mainstream continuity – Peter abandons the suit. All the set-up forUltimate Spider-Man’snewVenomis there, it’s just a matter of what lights the spark.
Source:AIPT
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)#8will be available July 19, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
