In today’s issue ofUltimate Spider-Man, Peter Parker’s heroic son becomes a monster, turning into the newVenom. Manifesting horrifying powers, Richard Parker goes from theUltimate Universe’s second Spider-Man to a symbiote monstrosity, but this time made out of advanced tech rather than alien goo.
With Venom’s arrival, Peter is now part of a heroic version of the Sinister Six. Or, at least, heroic fornow…
Richard Parker Is a Monstrous New Venom
Spider-Man Has Turned His Son into a Monster
Ultimate Spider-Man #19- from Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson and Cory Petit - picks up a month after the previous issue, which ended with Richard captured by the Kingpin and his henchman, having beenled into a trap by the Black Cat. Through flashback, it’s revealed how Richard escaped -his picotech costume transformed him into a gigantic monster, attacking Kingpin and his assassins before breaking loose.
In recent comics, Richard has been using aTony Stark-designed picotech suitwhich mimics the powers of his father, with an AI version of Peter helping him to survive as his family is hunted. Now, the suittransforms into a hulking monster with shapeshifting tentacles, viciously blinding Kingpin’s men in an orgy of violence. Richard’s new symbiote powers are terrifying to behold, and hint that his AI ‘protector’ has somehow been corrupted into something far darker.
Spider-Man’s Family Is Falling Apart as He Plays the Hero
The Series Ends Soon, And Marvel Is Setting Up a Tragedy
Marvel’s Ultimate Universe takes place in a new timeline where iconic heroes were denied their powers, with Spider-Man gaining his abilities far later in life, once he’d become a married man with two kids. With Kingpin and his five lieutenants running New York as a criminal empire, Peter and his allies have been fighting to free the city, with Richard ending up dragged into the fight. Peter wants Richard wearing the picotech suit for protection, but he doesn’t yet know that his son just bit, tore and blinded a roomful of people under the suit’s influence.
It’s worth noting that Marvel’snewUltimate Universe frequently echoes the 2000s original. In that continuity, Venom slaughtered Miles Morales' mother, making it notable that Miles is currently stranded in the new Ult U with his baby sister…
With the recent announcement thatUltimate Spider-Manwill end with issue 24,leading into theUltimate Endgameevent, fans have been worrying about Peter Parker’s family. The Ultimate Universe is a place where anything can happen, and neither Peter nor his kids are safe. Richard’s transformation into the monstrous Venom hints thathemay be the next threat Peter faces, while alsohinting at another dark possibility…
Marvel Just Introduced a Heroic Sinister Six
With Green Goblin, Mysterio, Doctor Octopus and More
InUltimate Spider-Man, Peter has allied himself with Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin and Gwen Stacy’s Mysterio. This issue,Mole Man comes to visit Peter, admitting he’s willing to turn on Kingpin if the new alliance can prove its strength. Meanwhile, this world’s version of Doc Ock works for Harry, upgrading Peter’s equipment.
That sets up a six-person team of iconic villains-turned-heroes, with several founding Sinister Six members on the roster. It seems thatthe arc ofUltimate Spider-Manmay see Peter supplant the Kingpin as the leader of a team who consider New York their territory. However, while each of the members of this team are fighting the Kingpin, they’re not all good people, and Richard’s monstrous actions may hint that Peter is getting in over his head with his new allies - that’s if he can even survive hisenemies.
The Ultimate Universe imprint has always been about bringing readers bold new stories that can’t be told in Marvel’s mainstream, and turning Spider-Man’s son into a monstrous Venom definitely fits the bill. Now, with five issues (and five in-world months) left untilUltimate Endgame,Spider-Manhas to save New York while reckoning with his son’s transformation intoVenom.
Ultimate Spider-Man #19is available now from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
Ultimate Marvel
Created in 2000, the Ultimate Marvel imprint redesigned the entire Marvel Comics universe with a new set of origin stories and relationships. The reboot reinterpreted Marvel continuity from scratch in an attempt to simplify and update the company’s 60-year history for modern audiences. With famous comic book writers such as Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, and Mark Millar at the helm, the Ultimate universe (named Earth-1610 within the Marvel multiverse) lasted 15 years and provided plenty of inspiration for the MCU.
