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Venom Reading Order

A few decades before becoming the star of his own movie franchise, Venom first appeared as Spider-Man’s new black costume. Introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (May 1984), the black suit was later revealed to be Venom in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988), created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane: a sentient alien symbiote with an amorphous, liquid-like form that bonds with a host.

Venom became one of Spider-Man’s most prominent villains after bonding with Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist who had wrongly accused an innocent man of being the serial killer known as Sin-Eater before Spider-Man exposed the truth. Driven to despair, Brock eventually came into contact with the symbiote. Sharing resentment toward Spider-Man, the two bonded and became Venom.

Originally introduced as a villain, Venom later evolved into an antihero before occasionally returning to his more antagonistic roots. Although Eddie Brock remains the character’s most iconic host, the symbiote has also bonded with figures such as Mac Gargan (Scorpion), Flash Thompson, and others. Over time, Venom’s mythology expanded through the introduction of offspring symbiotes, including Carnage, Scream, Lasher, and Phage. More recently, the mythology surrounding the alien symbiotes has grown into a major part of the Marvel Universe, culminating in the introduction of Knull, the King in Black, and threats on a cosmic scale. This long and evolving history is explored throughout our complete Venom Reading Order.

Venom Reading Order

Want to know more about the other symbiotes? Check out our guide to Marvel’s Main Symbiote Characters.

Navigating through Venom Comics

The Venomnibus Collection

Before looking at the details, let’s talk about the omnibus collection Marvel has dedicated to Venom. It’s called the Venomnibus, and it’s mostly everything you need.

  • The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Man vs Venom Omnibus
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #258, #300, #315-317, #332-333, #346-347, #361-363, #374 And #378-380; Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #1, #95-96 And #101-103; Avengers: Deathtrap – The Vault Gn; Darkhawk #13-14; Spider-Man: The Trial Of Venom; Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits Of Vengeance #5-6; Spider-Man (1990) #35-37; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #201-203; And Material From Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #373, #375, #388 And Annual #25-26; Web Of Spider-Man Annual #7-8; Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #117-122; And Spider-Man Unlimited (1993) #1-2; Plus Venom Subplot Pages.
  • Venomnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Venom: Lethal Protector #1-6; Venom: Funeral Pyre #1-3; Daredevil (1964) #323; Iron Man (1968) #302; Darkhawk #35-37; Venom: The Madness #1-3; Venom: The Enemy Within #1-3; Incredible Hulk vs. Venom #1; Venom: The Mace #1-3; Nightwatch #5-6; Venom: Nights of Vengeance #1-4; Spider-Man: The Arachnis Project #6; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #118-119; Spider-Man (1990) #52-53; Venom: Separation Anxiety #1-4; Venom: Carnage Unleashed #1-4; material from Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #18-19.
  • Venomnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Venom: Sinner Takes All #1-5; Venom: Along Came A Spider #1-4; Venom: The Hunted #1-3; Venom: The Hunger #1-4; Venom: Tooth and Claw #1-3; Venom on Trial #1-3; Venom: License To Kill #1-3; Venom: Seed of Darkness #−1; Venom: Sign of the Boss #1-2; Spider-Man: The Venom Agenda; Venom: The Finale #1-3; Uncanny Origins #7; material from Amazing Spider-Man Super Special, Spider-Man Super Special, Venom Super Special, Spectacular Spider-Man Super Special, Web of Spider-Man Super Special and Spider-Man Holiday Special 1995.
  • Venomnibus Vol. 3
    Collects Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1999) #9-10, 12 (A-story), 16-17; Nova (1999) #7; Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #12 (A-story), 19; Spectacular Spider-Man (2003) #1-5; Venom (2003) #1-18; Venom vs. Carnage #1-4; Marvel Knights Spider-Man (2004) #7-8, 11; Sensational Spider-Man (2006) #38-39; Spider-Man/Fantastic Four (2010) #2; material from Spider-Man Family (2007) #1-2.
  • Agent Venomnibus
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #654 (B story), #654.1; Venom (2011) #1-42, #13.1-13.4, #27.1; Venom: Space Knight (2015) #1-13; Minimum Carnage: Alpha (2012) #1; Scarlet Spider (2012) #10-11; Minimum Carnage: Omega (2012) #1
  • Venomnibus by Cates & Stegman
    Collects Venom (2018) #1-35, Annual (2018) #1; Web of Venom: Ve’Nam; Web of Venom: Carnage Born; Web of Venom: Wraith; Absolute Carnage #1-5; King in Black #1-5; material from Free Comic Book Day 2019 (Spider-Man/Venom), Free Comic Book Day 2020 (Spider-Man/Venom), Incoming! #1, and Carnage: Black, White & Blood #2.
  • Venom War Omnibus [2026]
    Collects Venom War (2024) #1-5, Venom (2021) #35-39, Venom War: Spider-Man (2024) #1-4, Venom War: Lethal Protectors (2024) #1-3, Venom War: Fantastic Four (2024) #1, Venom War: It’s Jeff (2024) #1, Venom War: Wolverine (2024) #1-3, Venom War: Deadpool (2024) #1-3, Venom War: Carnage (2024) #1-3, Venom War: Zombiotes (2024) #1-3, Venom War: Venomous (2024) #1-3, Black Widow: Venomous (2024) #1, Venom War: Daredevil (2024) #1

Venom: The Alien Costume

Venom’s story began during the original Secret Wars, where Peter Parker first came into contact with the alien costume that would later be revealed to be a sentient symbiote.

For a time, Peter Parker wore the alien costume before learning its true nature. Some of the stories from that period can be found here:

Venom & Eddie Brock: The Early Years

The transformation of the symbiote into Venom is generally considered to occur in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988), written by David Michelinie with art by Todd McFarlane, marking Eddie Brock’s first full appearance as Venom and establishing the character’s defining look.

  • Spider-Man: Birth of Venom
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #252-259, 300, #315-317, & Annual 25 (4th story), Web of Spider-Man (1985) #1, and material from Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #298-299, Fantastic Four (1961) #274, Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars (1984) #8, & Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #99-100.

If you are focusing specifically on Venom’s emergence, the character’s early development begins here with Eddie Brock’s repeated attempts to destroy Spider-Man. Most of these early confrontations take place in The Amazing Spider-Man, but Venom also appears across other titles, including Avengers: Death Trap, The Vault (original graphic novel), Darkhawk, Marvel Comics Presents, and the crossover Spirits of Vengeance, reflecting the character’s rapid integration into multiple corners of the Marvel Universe.

  • Venom Epic Collection: Symbiosis
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #258, 300, 315–17, 332–33, 346–47, 388 (B story), Web of Spider-Man #1, Marvel Graphic Novel No. 68 – Avengers: Deathtrap – The Vault, Darkhawk #13-14 and material from Amazing Spider-Man Annual #25-26; Web of Spider-Man Annual #7-8; and Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12.

In 1993, Venom: Lethal Protector marked a significant turning point in the character’s depiction, presenting Venom as an antihero. Written by David Michelinie and illustrated by Mark Bagley, this miniseries follows Eddie Brock and the symbiote as they find themselves in conflict with the Life Foundation and its symbiote-derived creations in San Francisco.

  • Venom Epic Collection: Lethal Protector
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #361–363, 388, Spider-Man: The Trial of Venom #1, Web of Spider-Man #95-96, Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #5-6, Venom: Lethal Protector #1-6, and material from Marvel Comics Presents #117-122; and Amazing Spider-Man #373, 375.

    • Venom: Lethal Protector (2022)
      Collects Venom: Lethal Protector (2022) #1-5. Written by David Michelinie and published in 2022, this miniseries is set during that period of time.

Carnage Icon - Venom Reading Order

Maximum Carnage

First introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #361, Carnage is an offspring of Venom (check out our Carnage Reading Order) who bonds with serial killer Cletus Kasady, forming a far more violent and unstable symbiote host. Created by David Michelinie and Mark Bagley, Carnage quickly establishes himself as Venom’s archenemy.

As the title suggests, Carnage serves as the central antagonist of the Maximum Carnage crossover event. In the storyline, Carnage escapes confinement and launches a brutal killing spree across New York City. When he assembles a group of like-minded allies, the situation escalates into “Maximum Carnage,” forcing Spider-Man, Venom, and other heroes to join forces in an effort to stop him.

  • Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Maximum Carnage
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #378-380, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #101-103, Spider-Man (1990) #35-37, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #201-203, Spider-Man/Punisher/Sabretooth: Designer Genes (1993) one-shot, material from Spider-Man Unlimited (1993) #1-2.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Venom: The Anti-Hero (Entry Point)

Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote operate in San Francisco in the Venom: The Enemy Within miniseries, where they patrol the city and engage in various fights as Venom. During this period, the character also made guest appearances across several other Marvel series, further expanding his presence within the wider Marvel Universe.

  • Venom Epic Collection: The Madness
     Collects     Iron Man #302; Darkhawk #35-37; Venom: The Madness #1-3; Venom: The Enemy Within #1-3; Incredible Hulk vs. Venom #1; Venom: The Mace #1-3; Nightwatch #5-6; Venom: Nights of Vengeance #1-4. Missing from this collection are the following issues:

  • Venom: Separation Anxiety
    Collects Venom: The Mace, Venom: Nights of Vengeance, Web of Spider-Man #118-119, Spider-Man #52-53, and Venom: Separation Anxiety.
  • Other appearances collected in the Venomnibus Vol. 1:
    • Nightwatch #5-6
    • Silver Sable & The Wild Pack (1992) #30
    • Spider-Man: Arachnis Project (1994) #6

  • Venom Epic Collection: Carnage Unleashed
    Collects Spider-Man: The Arachnis Project #6; Web of Spider-Man #118-119; Spider-Man #52-53; Venom: Separation Anxiety #1-4; Venom: Carnage Unleashed #1-4; Venom: Sinner Takes All #5; Uncanny Origins #7; and material from Venom: Sinner Takes All #1-4
  • Venom Epic Collection: Planet of the Symbiotes
    Collects Venom: Along Came A Spider #1-4, Venom: The Hunted #1-3, and material from Amazing Spider-Man Super Special, Spider-Man Super Special, Venom Super Special, Spectacular Spider-Man Super Special, Web Of Spider-Man Super Special, Venom: Sinner Takes All #1-4, and Spider-Man: Holiday Special.
  • Venom Epic Collection: The Hunger
    Collects Venom: The Hunger (1996) #1-4, Venom: Tooth And Claw (1996) #1-3, Venom: On Trial (1997) #1-3, Venom: License To Kill (1997) #1-3, Venom: Seed Of Darkness (1997) #-1, Venom: Sign Of The Boss (1997) #1-2, Spider-Man: The Venom Agenda (1998) #1 and Venom: The Finale (1997) #1-3.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Venom: The Finale marked the conclusion of the early Venom miniseries era. In the story, Eddie Brock is separated from the symbiote, although this separation proves temporary.

  • Venom Epic Collection: Shadows of the Past [2026]
    Collects Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1999) #9-10, 16-17, Nova (1999) #7, Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #19, Spectacular Spider-Man (2003) #1-5, Spider-Man/Fantastic Four (2010) #2, material from Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #12, Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1999) #12, Spider-Man Family (2007) #1-2.
  • Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #22 (collected in Spider-Man: Revenge of the Green Goblin)

In 2003, Marvel launched a new Venom ongoing series written by Daniel Way. The series follows the symbiote after it becomes separated from Eddie Brock and resurfaces near the Arctic Circle, where it moves from host to host while being pursued by unknown forces with their own agenda.

Driven by a constant need for stimulation, the symbiote seeks out individuals experiencing extreme emotions such as rage, jealousy, and hatred. Its path toward civilization leads it through northern Canada, where it encounters the X-Men’s Wolverine. As the story moves to New York City, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four become involved as multiple Venom manifestations emerge, forcing them to contain the resulting chaos.

In The Hunger, Venom is on the loose and attacks people seemingly at random. What are the symbiote’s motives? Will Spider-Man find a way to stop him?

In Venom vs. Carnage, Venom’s offspring, Carnage, is about to have a baby by itself, a creature of indescribable power and appetites. The question is, who’s gonna bring up the baby? Then, without surprise, Venom is part of the “Venomous” storyline in Marvel Knights Spider-Man. If the brief appearance of Angelo Fortunato as Venom II is not important, we cannot say the same about the first appearance of Venom III (Mac Gargan) in #10, as he will become the main Venom for the years to come. But what is happening with Eddie Brock? Check out The Sensational Spider-Man #38-39.

  • Venom Modern Era Epic Collection: Sting of The Scorpion [2026]
    Collects Venom vs. Carnage (2004) #1-4; Marvel Knights Spider-Man (2004) #7-8, 11; Sensational Spider-Man (2006) #38-39; Thunderbolts: Reason in Madness (2008) One-Shot; Venom: Dark Origin (2008) #1-5; material from Civil War: Choosing Sides (2006), Spider-Man Family (2007) #3

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Mac Gargan is Venom, a member of the Thunderbolts

After Marvel Knights #10, the symbiote stayed with Mac Gargan, who was previously known as Scorpion (another classic Spider-Man villain). The different Venom first appeared in the “Beyond!” miniseries about a group of superheroes and supervillains transported to the alien Battleworld. After that, during the Civil War, he joined the Thunderbolts.

Civil War Daredevil Reading OrderCivil War! The U.S. Government proposed the Superhuman Registration Act, intending to register all super-powered beings as living weapons of mass destruction and requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the government and subject themselves to federally mandated standards. Heroes had to choose between rallying behind either Iron Man’s pro-registration forces or Captain America’s opposition. The Civil War began. (see the reading order)

  • Civil War
    Collects Civil War #1-7, plus extras.

During that event, Venom appeared in Civil War #4, Civil War: Choosing Sides #1, Civil War #5-6, Civil War: Front Line #10, Civil War #7, Civil War: The Initiative #1.

In the wake of Civil War, Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato launched Thunderbolts, a team of “reformed” villains who are in pursuit of the unregistered superhumans.

Secret InvasionSecret Invasion! It begins with a brutal battle between the New Avengers and the Hand—one that claims the life of Elektra and reveals that she was a Skrull! As the Secret Invasion stands revealed and the Skrulls attack Earth, which heroes will be exposed as alien impostors? (see the reading order)

During that event, Venom appeared in Secret Invasion #3, Thunderbolts (2006) #122-124, Secret Invasion #6, Secret Invasion: Front Line #4-5, and Secret Invasion #7.

Dark ReignIn the aftermath of Secret Invasion, Marvel launched “Dark Reign”, a period during which Norman Osborn was in control. To learn more about this, take a look at our Dark Reign Reading Order. Venom appeared mainly in the Dark Avengers series, but also made guest appearances (as a member of the Dark Avengers) in a multitude of other series. We are sticking to the essentials here.

Marvel Siege LogoSiege! Coerced by Loki and on the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. This is the end of the “Dark Reign” era (see the reading order).

During that event, Venom appeared in Siege: The Cabal, Dark Avengers #15, Siege #1, Siege: Storming Asgard – Heroes & Villains #1, Siege: Embedded #1, Mighty Avengers #33, Dark X-Men #3, Avengers: The Initiative #32, Dark Wolverine #82, Dark Avengers #14, Siege #2, New Avengers #63, Siege: Embedded #3, Dark Avengers #15, Siege #3, New Avengers #64, Siege: Secret Warriors #1, Siege: Spider-Man #1, Siege #4, and Dark Avengers #16.

In Amazing Spider-Man #648 (collected in The Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time), the Venom symbiote is confiscated from Mac Gargan by the government.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Flash Thompson is Agent Venom (Entry Point)

After being a supporting character of Spider-Man for a very long time, Flash Thompson is finally the star of his own series as he becomes Agent Venom. Introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #654-654.1 (collected in The Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time), Agent Venom is Flash and the Symbiote working together as a government agent.

The Venom Series has already been collected by run. First, the two volumes for Rick Remender:

Then, Cullen Bunn’s work on the series has also been collected in one volume:

Here is a more detailed reading order for volume 2 of Venom:

Icon Spider-Man Reading Order Spider-Island! Welcome to Spider-Island, where a million New Yorkers suddenly possess Spider-Man’s powers – but none of the responsibility! (see the reading order)

Venom Icon - Venom Reading OrderAfter Venom #15, Flash joined the Secret Avengers (in issue #23), a series written by Rick Remender who left Venom after #22. Cullen Bunn took over.

Cullen Bunn became the main writer with issue #23.

Agent Venom also joined the Thunderbolts, but left the Secret Avengers in SA #37.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Flash Thompson is Agent Venom, Guardian of the Galaxy!

In the Free Comic Book Day 2014 issue, Agent Venom joined the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Agent Venom temporarily leaves the Guardians in #17, but comes back in #21

Secret Wars 2015Secret Wars! The event that rebooted the entire Marvel Universe took place here (click here to know more about that massive event). Flash appeared in Spider-Island: Warzones!

It’s an All-New All-Different Marvel, Eddie Brock is back (as Toxin) in the new Carnage series, and Flash Thompson is still Agent Venom, Space Knight, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Civil War IICivil War II! When a new Inhuman emerges, with the ability to profile the future, Captain Marvel wanted him to work with the Ultimates, in order to preemptively tackle disasters before they happen, but Iron Man opposed the idea. Issues #11-12 of Venom: Space Knight and #11-13 of Guardians of the Galaxy are part of the event (see the reading order).

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Eddie Brock is back as Venom

Things got a bit complicated for a short period of time. After Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 #19, Agent Venom left the team. We reconnect with Venom as he becomes the symbiote of Lee Price, a member of Black Cat‘s gang who decided to use Venom for his personal gain. That didn’t last long. In Venom #6, Eddie Brock returns as Venom. Then, there was a switch to Legacy numbering with #150. In this anniversary issue, we learned the truth behind Flash Thompson’s separation from the Venom symbiote. The series was written by Mike Costa.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Venom by Donny Cates & Ryan Stegman (Entry Point)

The most popular Venom run is a recent one (most of it has been collected in Venomnibus by Cates & Stegman). Written by Donny Cates with art by Ryan Stegman, the new Venom series started in 2018 and introduced elements of the symbiote mythology, but also connected old ones, to lead us to the massive King in Black event. You can learn more about the story and the different collected editions in our Donny Cates’ Venom Reading Order.

War of Realms Logo 72War of Realm! For some time now, Malekith the Accursed has been conquering the Ten Realms one by one until there is only one left: Midgard (Earth!). Thor, with a lot of Asgardian warriors and Earth’s heroes, must now fight against a full-on invasion. (see the reading order).

  • War of the Realms (the symbiote story)
    Collects War of the Realms #1-6.
  • Venom: War Of The Realms (Eddie Brock story, written by Cullen Bunn)
    Collects Venom (2018) #13-15, and Web of Venom: Cult of Carnage #1.
  • Silver Surfer: Black
    Collects Silver Surfer: Black #1-5. Not a Venom Story, but still connected to the Knull story and written by Donny Cates.

Carnage Reading Order IconeAbsolute Carnage! From one event

to the next. After being resurrected by a cult dedicated to the worship of the god Knull and being bonded to the deific primordial Grendel symbiote, Carnage makes his comeback to New York in order to collect codices, traces left inside those who wore a symbiote, even once. (see the reading order).

Venom Icon - Venom Reading OrderKing in Black! The sequel to Absolute Carnage. Knull, the god of the symbiotes, is finally coming to conquer Earth—with an army of thousands of symbiote dragons at his beck and call. Of course, Earth’s heroes will fight back. (see the reading order).

Venom Icon - Venom Reading Order

Venom by Al Ewing: The Meridius Saga

Once Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman left, Al Ewing and Ram V took over the adventures of Venom (with art by Bryan Hitch).

Ram V leaves the title after issue #15, with Ewing remaining as the main writer.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading OrderThe Venom War! The culmination of Al Ewing’s run. Eddie Brock and his son Dylan go head-to-head to determine who will be the one true Venom while Meridius’ plan is put into motion. New York is under attack as people become Zombiotes and heroes have to fight them and save them at the same time. You can follow all of this, issue-by-issue, with our guide to reading the Venom War comics in order, or simply read the complete event in the Venom War Omnibus [2026].

Venom The Super-Hero: All-New Venom

Following the Venom War, Eddie Brock has lost everything and joined with Carnage. His son Dylan was taken in by Mary-Jane Watson and Paul Rabin in All-New Venom. Al Ewing’s new saga, with artist Carlos Gomez, is introducing a new Venom. Their identity is a mystery for the first few issues, but it’s soon revealed that, to save her life, Venom bonded with MJ. Teaming up was not ideal, but they now need each other to survive and to be true superheroes.

To celebrate Venom #250, Marvel Comics went back to the legacy numbering and planted the seed for Knull’s comeback. The issue sets up the miniseries Knull: Coming to the Light, also written by Al Ewing with Tom Waltz, with art by Juanan Ramírez.

Venom Icon - Venom Reading OrderQueen in Black! Hela of Asgard has seized Knull’s former throne and claimed the mantle of the Queen in Black, commanding a legion of the galaxy’s deadliest symbiotes. But Knull won’t go away without a fight and conquered the Lightforce Dimension, leading a new army to reclaim his dominion… You can find a lot more about that in our Queen in Black Reading Order [coming soon].

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8 thoughts on “Venom Reading Order”

    2. Thepersonofalltime
      Reply

      yes cause the arc “venom of asgard ” heavily involves venom even tho eddie doesn’t appear symbiotes are a major part of it

  3. Thepersonofalltime
    Reply

    Honestly good reading order better then the venomverse reading order but I’m about to start reading the flash thompson era of venom and it looks confusing as hell

  4. Danny Yates
    Reply

    I’m reading the Cates stories at the moment, but something gets me confused. Venom: Rex TP collects Venom #1-6, which is followed by Venom: The Abyss TP, which collects Venom #7-12. But now I bought Venom: Unleashed Vol. 1 TP, which collects Web of Venom: Ve’Nam, Carnage Reborn, Venom Unleashed and Funeral Pyre. Apparently “Unleashed” comes before “The Abyss”.

    Now the thing that gets me confused, “Unleashed is numbered on the spine of the book, but I can’t seem to find a second part of it.

    Is there a second part to it, or was it canceled, or continued in some other way?

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      There’s only one “Venom Unleashed” It’s a book collecting stories that were published at the time and added backstory elements to the main plot. They were collected in this one book. I suppose that the idea was at some point to collect the rest of the “Web of Venom” issues and other stories in a Volume 2, but that was never done.

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