I Admit It: Ultimate Venom Is Already the Scariest Version of Marvel's Symbiote, Hands Down

Warning: Contains major spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #12!

As Marvel’s Ultimate Universe continues to flesh out Spider-Man's supporting cast and rogues gallery, the new version of Venom has finally made its first move in the creepiest way possible. There have been some moments hinting at Ultimate Spider-Man’s very different take on Venom for a while, and it has officially made its presence known as a seriously sinister threat to Peter Parker and his happy family life.

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Marco Checchetto – offers a "slice-of-life" story about Peter Parker and his family during a holiday celebration. Tension over their complex family dynamics eases over the course of the issue, but a chilling surprise ending adds disturbing context to the preceding scenes.

The festivities take a shocking turn when it’s revealed that Peter is actually missing, and his symbiote-like picotech suit has been acting as him all along. With the ability to perfectly replicate Peter and trick his loved ones, this Venom substitute is not only creepy, but a major threat.

The New Ultimate Take On Venom Gives Spider-Man’s Cozy Christmas A Spine-Tingling Twist

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 – Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Marco Checchetto; Colors By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By VC’s Cory Petit

While there have been many other sinister versions of Venom in its Marvel history, Ultimate Spider-Man’s take on the symbiote is terrifying because of just how close it can get to the Parker family without them even noticing. Though there have been clues pointing to picotech’s powerful potential in previous issues, the grand reveal that the suit can become a Peter Parker duplicate is a jaw-dropping twist. As Spider-Man’s sentient Stark tech suit infiltrates the Parkers’ Christmas, with his wife, children, and extended family members present, it’s quite haunting how long it takes for MJ to finally discover the truth.

MJ is overwhelmed and preoccupied hosting a hectic family gathering for the holiday, and only her somewhat-estranged sister Gayle has picked up on Peter being different. The short cliffhanger scene where MJ finds out the suit’s secret is seriously creepy, especially when the fake Peter with lifeless eyes ominously wishes her a “Merry Christmas”. The moment gets even more shocking when the epilogue reveals Peter’s true whereabouts as Kraven’s prisoner. It’s worth questioning if Peter knows that the suit has taken over for him on Christmas while he’s trapped, or if the symbiotic AI has made that choice for itself.

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Spidey’s Sentient Suit Is Getting Way Too Attached

As the Ultimate Universe’s Peter Parker gets accustomed to life as a superhero, his mysterious suit has been getting a bit too comfortable expressing itself as a “perfect replica” of his psyche, which it calls itself in an alarming scene from Ultimate Spider-Man #8. The adaptable pico shell can not only create a physical copy of Peter, but seems to be growing a haunting attachment to his family; although the tech enhances Spider-Man’s crime-fighting prowess, the supposed invention by Howard Stark could have a more sinister backstory than Peter or anyone else is aware of.

Early in Ultimate Spider-Man #12, Peter’s son even namechecks a Mr. and Mrs. Brock, meaning more of this alternate universe’s take on Venom lore should be coming in the future. However, the latest tech-based version of the symbiote seems to be more focused on the Parker family for now, which could ultimately lead down a dark path. With the power to impersonate Spider-Man and creep into his Christmas, the Ultimate Universe’s new twist on Venom is a frightening development for Peter Parker, and seriously threatens the safety of his loved ones.

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is available now from Marvel Comics.