Agent Anti-Venom Joins Spider-Man Event Death Spiral

Flash Thompson a.k.a. Agent Anti-Venom officially joins Spider-Man's fight against one of his deadliest enemies in years. The days when Venom was regarded as a primary Spider-Man villain alongside the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus are long gone. Venom has spent longer as an anti-hero and a full-fledged hero than he did as a villain. However, that isn't the case with most other symbiotes, who continue to be untrustworthy at best and a walking ticking bomb at worst.

Against all odds, Carnage is now officially a hero and a member of the New Avengers, courtesy of his bonding to Eddie Brock. Even then, Carnage betrays his fellow heroes and helps the evil symbiote Spiral, who starts killing everyone with ties to Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, and Eddie Brock. Five years after King in Black, Venom still appears to be the only reliable symbiote, and Eddie Brock seems to be the most skilled host at keeping symbiotes at bay.

Eddie Brock isn't infallible, and Venom isn't invincible. But on the bright side, there's at least one other symbiote and host combo who can swoop in to save the day when all else fails.

Agent Anti-Venom Officially Joins Marvel's Death Spiral

The Amazing Spider-Man #25; Written by Joe Kelly; Art by Ed McGuinness, Cliff Hathburn, Pere Pérez, Marcio Menyz, and Erick Arciniega

Spiral has left an impressive trail of blood behind him. The Shocker is dead, Eddie Brock's father Carl Brock is dead, and Spiral now sets his sights on Eddie's son Dylan. After Dylan, Spiral will likely target Aunt May, Miles Morales, and everyone else closely connected to Peter, Mary Jane, and Eddie. Since Spider-Man, Venom, and Carnage find themselves overpowered, they'll need some external help to protect their loved ones. Enter Flash Thompson a.k.a. Agent Anti-Venom, who may become make-or-break in the fight against Spiral.

Spiral possesses the same powers and skills as his symbiote siblings, but he stands out due to his incredible intellect and his cold-blooded fixation on calculated murders places him one tier above the rest. Spiral also acquires the Shocker's gauntlets, which work as nearly automatic defenses against all enemy symbiotes. To stop him, Venom, Carnage, and Spider-Man will need all the help they can, and Agent Anti-Venom's unique abilities may be exactly what they need.

The Anti-Venom Symbiote Is Perfect For Flash Thompson

Flash Thompson Is Even Better As Agent Anti-Venom Than He Was As Agent Venom

Flash Thompson's evolution into Agent Anti-Venom turns him into a literal and figurative cure for the chaos he once helped cause. Venom often struggles for dominance with Flash and requires chemical suppression to remain heroic, whereas the Anti-Venom suit is a mindless, biological construct that responds perfectly to Flash's disciplined military mind. This lack of a conflicting sentient personality allows Flash to put his skills to work with a hundred percent efficiency without the constant risk of losing control.

The technical superiority of the Anti-Venom symbiote also grants Flash a specialized cleansing power that makes him the ultimate counter-measure in an increasingly symbiote-infested Marvel Universe. Flash’s toxic touch is lethal to other symbiotes, including the nearly invincible Red Goblin and thus Carnage himself. Agent Anti-Venom's ability to heal others makes him a symbiote-killer, which is exactly who Spider-Man, Venom, and Carnage need in order to stop Spiral's frenzy.

During King in Black, Flash Thompson’s nature as a living white blood cell reaches its peak when his consciousness, preserved as a codex, manifests as a massive Anti-Venom Dragon to battle Knull’s darkness. While Agent Venom was about control and redemption, Agent Anti-Venom is about service and purity of purpose. Even his recent temporary stint as Toxin in the 2025 All-New Venom run only reinforces the idea that Flash Thompson is a last-resort back-up for symbiotes. He's the only host who can step into any mantle and remain a hero to his core.

What is your favorite symbiote-host duo?

The Amazing Spider-Man #25 is now available from Marvel Comics.

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  First Appearance The Amazing Spider-Man

  Alias Eddie Brock

  Alliance Vigilante

  Race Klyntar (Symbiote species)

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  First Appearance Amazing Fantasy

  Alias Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner

  Alliance Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors

  Race Human