The true origin of Venom lies in the Secret Wars, a Marvel crossover event that took place in 1984-1985. During this storyline, various heroes and villains were transported to an alien planet named Battleworld by the enigmatic being known as the Beyonder. Here, Spider-Man stumbled upon a black alien suit that formed itself into a sleek, powerful costume.
Unbeknownst to Spider-Man, this costume was an alien symbiote, seeking a host with whom it could bond and gain immense power. The symbiote enhanced Spider-Man’s abilities and served as a crime-fighting ally. However, Peter Parker soon realized that the symbiote was trying to permanently bond with him, and he rejected it.
This rejection marked a pivotal point for the symbiote’s story, as it became resentful and vengeful towards Spider-Man. It found a new host in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist with a deep hatred for Spider-Man. This partnership birthed the villainous and iconic character known as Venom.
Taking into account the events of Secret Wars and Venom’s subsequent appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #252, we can conclude that the symbiote is at least 36 years old. However, its existence as a separate entity may have been much longer. The precise age of the symbiote before it encountered Spider-Man remains unclear.
Interestingly, the symbiote’s true nature and origins were further explored in later storylines. In the 2011 miniseries Venom: Origin, it was revealed that the symbiote had been part of an ancient race known as the Symbiotes. These alien beings had a long-lasting bond with the primordial deity Knull, the God of Symbiotes. This backstory expanded the symbiote’s mythos and hinted at a significantly older existence.
While the exact age of the symbiote remains a mystery, its impact on the Marvel Universe is undeniable. Venom has earned its place as one of Spider-Man’s most formidable foes and later transitioned into an anti-hero with a loyal fan base of its own. The complex relationship between Venom and Spider-Man has provided countless thrilling storylines and crossovers over the years.
As Venom continues to evolve and make appearances in various mediums, such as comics, video games, and movies, fans can only hope to uncover more of the symbiote’s ancient past. Whether it remains a villain or morphs into a hero, one thing is certain – Venom’s age might be a mystery, but its enduring popularity is timeless.