Warning: Contains SPOILERS for New Poison #1
THE Poison The war is over, and Dylan and Eddie Brock are old news, because Venom has a new host, flashier than his predecessors ever will be. This gregarious new host makes his personality known, quickly betraying his secret identity. As the chaos of the symbiote war begins to ensue and all that is left are scars, New Venom's radiant personality endures.
Brand new poison #1 – written by Al Ewing, with art by Carlos Gomez – is the debut of the latest Venom series and the debut of the new eponymous incarnation of Marvel's “Lethal Protector”. After splitting between Eddie and Dylan, Venom made a valiant sacrifice that left him for dead.
Now, shortly after, Venom is back with a new host, and a painfully obvious identity behind the mask. Although the issue gave readers four possible candidates for Venom's new host, one candidate is by far the most likely.
Let's just say: Rick Jones is Venom's newest host
Brand new poison #1 – Written by Al Ewing; Art by Carlos Gomez; Color by Frank D'Armata; Lyrics by VC's Clayton Cowles
That's right, New Venom's secret identity is none other than fellow professional superhero Rick Jones, a character with an incredible history of friendships with monstrous heroes. Responsible for creating the green giant, Jones became incredibly close friends with Hulk, following his destructive adventures for years. After some complicated complications with Captain Marvel and an unfortunate death at the end of the original World War Hulk comic arc, Rick Jones returned as a full-fledged gamma hero. Now, he seems like the most obvious candidate to take on the role of Venom in the future.
Appearing just in time to rescue a courthouse targeted by AIM, New Venom bursts through the window. Armed with jokes and enthusiastic jabs, this Venom host is nothing if not personality. He defeats his enemies effortlessly, never breaking his smile as he does so. Conveniently, as soon as Venom leaves, Rick returns with a beaming smile and suspiciously excited about the new Venom.; Rick is a fourth-wall breaking character and a huge fan of Marvel Comics. Seeing the opportunity to help the dying Venom is no different than Rick seizing his next heroic opportunity.
The new Venom has a secret power that helped the host and symbiote bond
Rick Jones has fate on his side
Now Rick Jones has one more critically important power that is likely responsible for his bond with Venom: the Power of Destiny. Rick has occasionally been able to access a mystical golden energy of infinite potential called the Force of Destiny. This power allows Rick to alter reality by reshaping the past with his imagination. Although it is a power that Rick has rarely accessed, he has been known to strengthen it whenever it is truly needed. When readers last saw Venom, there was no way he could have survived. However, with a little imagination, Rick could make Venom a new destination.
If Rick used the Force of Destiny to save Venom, there's a chance Rick could have rewritten some major plot points from Venom's story.
If his Force of Destiny is what saved Venom, then the real question is, “How much has Rick changed Venom?” At the end of the Venom War, Venom, while fighting to escape, told Dylan how proud he was of his son. Now, a relatively short time later, Venom is paired up with a new host and having a blast. Meanwhile, Dylan is left behind, without a father, without a home and without a symbiote. If Rick used the Force of Destiny to save Venom, there's a chance Rick could have rewritten some major plot points from Venom's story.
Rick Jones Is the Perfect Choice for Marvel’s “All-New Venom”
The next step in the character's heroic trajectory
As expected, Rick doesn't seem very interested in keeping his identity a secret, or at least not very good at it. Very much in line with a character like She-Hulk, Rick is aware of his status in the comics and loves it. He loves Marvel Comics, both in his universe and in the “real world”. He's crushed villains like the Hulk, crossed the stars like a cosmic hero, single-handedly ended the Kree-Skrull war with his imagination, and now, given a golden opportunity to harness his golden powers, Rick can help Venom while the symbiote is in need.
It's strange for readers to think of Venom in these terms, of the powerful symbiote who needs someone's help. However, a crucial part of the character's evolution has been more than just performing heroic rather than villainous actions; In order for Venom to truly become a hero, the character had to become more vulnerable. As synonymous as he is with Venom, Eddie Brock's increasing power levels were at odds with this, which is why establishing an “entirely new” Venom - Rick Jones or not – is a part vital part of the equation for the character to move forward.
By the end of the war, Venom wasn't just dying, he was disintegrating. Venom and Carnage's powers canceled each other out, leaving them both to wither into nothingness. Compared to Venom's other potential hosts, only a person with Rick's powers could save the symbiote. He may be obvious and a little proud of himself, but Rick Jones is an honest and serious hero. He loves being the hero, not for the glory, but because he finds it fun to help others. Rick Jones may not be able to keep his secret, but he will be a big hit. Poison.
Brand new poison #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.