…now read the books! Despite its rather lukewarm reviews, the movie Venom has been a massive hit. Originally the character – the alien symbiote- is an enemy (or ally – it’s complicated) of Spiderman, who doesn’t show up in the film, but we’ve got plenty of comics about Venom if you want to read more!

Book cover courtesy of SyndeticsVenom (2012), writer, Rick Remender ; penciler, Tony Moore ; artist, Tom Fowler.

America – meet your newest hero! The lethal alien symbiote known as Venom is in the custody of the U.S. military – and with a familiar face from Spider-Man’s world inside the suit, the government’s own personal Spidey is going into action as one of the nation’s top covert agents in hostile territory! (Publisher summary)

Book cover courtesy of SyndeticsVenom : the complete collection: Volume 2, by Rick Remender

When a portal to Hell opens in the middle of Las Vegas, Venom must join Red Hulk, Ghost Rider and X-23 on a crusade to stop the spread of Hell on Earth. Can these tarnished heroes wrestle free of their own personal demons and band together to save the world in its darkest hour? Then, Venom faces a gauntlet of doom as Crime-Master unites Jack O’Lantern, the Human Fly, Toxin and more to destroy him! Crime-Master’s diabolical plan brings war to Flash Thompson’s family and friends – and in this war, there will be victims! Meanwhile, Venom joins the Secret Avengers, but what’s left of Flash to join the team? Even with the symbiote under control, Flash’s dark secrets put everything at risk…especially when the original Venom host, Eddie Brock, comes calling! (Amazon.com)

Book cover courtesy of SyndeticsAmazing Spider-Man : Venom Inc, writers, Dan Slott & Mike Costa ; artists, Ryan Stegman & Gerardo Sandoval

It’s an amazingly lethal Spider-Man/Venom epic!Peter Parker, Eddie Brock and Flash Thompson share a bond – literally! The Venom symbiote changed all of their lives. Now the inky black alien life-form is doubling down on our heroes – and they won’t be the only ones put through the wringer. As a familiar face rises to new levels of villainy, Spidey finds himself between Eddie and a mysterious new figure! Black Cat and her gang are confronted by an amped-up villain called Maniac, who will show everyone how well he lives up to his name. and all the while, Venom Inc. weaves its tendrils through New York’s criminal underworld… (Publisher summary)

Book company courtesy of SyndeticsVenom : the land where killers dwell, writer, Cullen Bunn ; artists, Marco Checchetto and others

If Venom’s going to be the super hero Philly deserves, he’s got to do it right. Venom wants it all – resources, allies, contacts and an HQ – but he knows nothing about setting that up. To make matters worse, he’s already made an enemy of Philly’s toughest crime boss – Lord Ogre. And Lord Ogre declares war! Venom’s evolution as Philadelphia’s makeshift Avenger continues! But Katy Kiernan is dead set on learning all Venom’s secrets. How does Flash protect his secret identity while trying to protect himself? (Publisher summary)