Spider-Man's Son is The Best Version of Venom

peter parker's spider-man and richard parker black suit spider-man together

By Tim Adams Published 54 minutes ago Tim Adams is a Comics Reporter at Screen Rant. After writing and talking about pop culture on his personal blog and podcast, Tim joined CBR as a Contributing Writer in 2016. Tim quickly demonstrated himself to be a valuable member of the team, resulting in a promotion to Associate Editor and then Lead News Editor in 2018. Part of his duties included managing and working with freelance writers on news coverage, while also growing the news side of the comics vertical. Tim was recruited to ComicBook.com in 2021 as a Staff Writer, where he continued covering the latest in pop culture through news, features, and lists. He is most proud of collaborating with comic book publishers on exclusive interviews, previews, and announcements. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Eddie Brock may be widely known as the host of Venom, but that doesn't make him the best version of the Lethal Protector in Marvel Comics. That distinction goes to a surprising character, and it isn't Peter Parker... but they do have a close, personal connection to Spider-Man.

Venom has been known as both a villain, an antihero, and a full-fledged member of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. He's been depicted in the pages of comics, as well as appearances in video games, cartoons, and theatrical movies. Each version of Venom brings something interesting to the table, but only a select few truly earn the 'Venom' moniker One of the newest additions to that list is Richard Parker, Spider-Man's son in Marvel's Ultimate Universe. And while he may be a teenager, he's already brought something special to his time as Venom.

Spider-Man's Son is The Perfect Choice For Ultimate Venom

Ultimate Spider-Man - Richard Parker swings through the city in the black suit in art by Marco Checchetto

The Ultimate Universe introduced a different take on Venom by turning it from an alien symbiote into an artificial intelligence inside a black suit designed by Tony Stark. While Peter Parker only wore the black suit for a short period of time, his son Richard Parker has truly made it his own.

Iconic Spider-Man villain Otto Octavius — aka Doctor Octopus — copied Peter Parker's consciousness, and uploaded it into the Venom suit. Which means Spider-Man is tagging along with Richard whenever he's out on patrol as Venom, adding an extra layer to the Richard Parker-Venom bond. And with his missing in action, Venom serves as a mentor and guide for Richard, only letting him interact with low-level criminals while on patrol.

The Venom/Black Cat Relationship Is Better Than Spider-Man/Black Cat

Black Cat stands merged with the Venom symbiote revealing a black and white suit in a variant for Amazing Spider-Man #32.

Fans are also used to Spider-Man and Black Cat having an on-again, off-again relationship, but Ultimate Spider-Man offers another interesting twist when Richard Parker catches feelings for Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat. Felicia follows in her father's footsteps and takes on the Black Cat mantle when he's injured in a confrontation with Spider-Man.

Black Cat crosses paths with Venom, but instead of fighting, they bond over having to replace their accomplished fathers. While it's obvious Richard has feelings for Felicia, she does a better job of guarding her true feelings. Nevertheless, they stay in touch, and Richard races across the country when Felicia texts him to say that she needs help. Leading him into an ambush, finally showing this new Venom in all his terrifying glory.

Richard Parker unleashes Ultimate Venom suit in Ultimate Spider-Man #19 by Hickman and Checchetto

All of these experiences are what make Richard Parker the best version of Venom yet, as readers young and old can relate to his struggles just as they did to his father's (less so with mastering an AI superhero suit).

The future for Richard's Venom is up in the air with Marvel's cancellation of its Ultimate Universe line of comics, but if any of these characters should survive and make it over to the main Marvel Universe, Richard Parker's Venom needs to be one of them.

Venom Created By David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane Cast Tom Hardy, Topher Grace First Appearance The Amazing Spider-Man Alias Eddie Brock RELATIONSHIPS Eddie Brock (primary host and ally), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (initial enemy, later uneasy ally), Anne Weying (former wife of Eddie Brock and occasional host), Cletus Kasady/Carnage (offspring of the Venom symbiote and a deadly enemy) Alliance Vigilante

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