Venom #23: Black Widow's Symbiote Debut!
By Liam McGuire
July 29th 2023
Venom #23 just set the tone for future stories involving symbiotes, with the recent issue reintroducing Toxin in the Marvel Universe while teasing one of the more exciting stories coming soon featuring the Black Widow.
In Venom #23 by Torunn Grønbekk, Ken Lashley, Ramón F. Bachs, and Protobunker from Marvel Comics, the issue focuses on a team-up between Dylan Brock’s Venom and Bren Waters’ Toxin. While the comic features the pair of symbiotes working together against a mysterious new threat claiming to be “no one,” the end hints at a surprise character about to be transformed. As the story concludes, Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow arrives on the scene to investigate the symbiotes, the “nothing” villains, and the fiery fight involving Toxin and Venom the night before. While readers might not realize it when finishing the comic, Black Widow is about to become the next Venom.
Venom #26 from Grønbekk, Julius Ohta, Frank D'Armata, and Clayton Cowles will see Black Widow cross paths with the symbiotes. Meanwhile, the following issue focuses on Romanoff taking a turn as the new Venom. While details have been kept quiet about Black Widow’s symbiote upgrade, Marvel Comics has already hinted that’s where she will appear next - and it won’t be a one-time deal. For readers who want to get on the Black Widow as Venom hype train, Venom #23 released a spoiler variant featuring the longtime Avenger in her symbiote costume. Romanoff will appear in future issues of “Venom” and take up the mantle for at least a single arc. Venom #27 features a sweet cover from Cafu featuring Black Widow’s new symbiote costume.
THE VENOM OF THE WIDOW! After the birth of an all-new symbiote, what familiar face will cross its path and become its first host?! And will that host be able to resist the symbiote’s corrupting and violent influence? Perhaps the bigger question: Will the symbiote be able to survive THEIRS?!
If you’d like to pick up a copy of the upcoming Venom #27 variant, it’s now available for pre-order on CaptCan Comics! For those looking to pick up Venom #23 and see Black Widow’s rise to becoming Marvel’s newest Venom, Pre-Order future issues and follow along as the surprise transformation continues throughout its story!
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