I’m back in another edition of Venom Unleashed Fan Q&A. Also, Jordan D. White is here to strip off the layers of Symbiote.
This week’s column is split into two new fan votes, from the eternal debate he calls MJ, who wields symbiosis, to how much the host’s flaws form a legacy of poison. Jordan shares his insights with the usual mix of signs and humor.
If that’s not enough, I’m looking exclusively at new art from Jordanian editorials. Plus, he gives us insight into Lucia No Vecchio’s bold poison design, celebrating the incredible Spider-Man #252 in epic style. Trust us – you’ll want to see how this celebration of Venom’s history unfolds in both the Battle World and the Mainline Series.
So, before diving into the fan questions, let’s unlock the results of these two votes…
AIPT: We’re back in another edition, but the book we’re editing is fantastic. To kick off the column, unpack two poll questions.
A little retread of previous poll questions, but there are some new candidates for naming. People love names! Do you have any thoughts on these, Jordan?
Jordan: So if she connects with the symbiotic she currently wears, they will become poisonous. I don’t really have any doubts about it in my mind. If she connects with an entirely new symbiotic, certainly she can be called something else. So that she becomes a red widow as she finds Slither and joins together, and Sliver takes on the super spy mojo that she learned from Natasha? Yes, that’s fun. But for now, she has a sense of symbiosis, which is a big deal. Having something else would be a pretty big step, right? Once MJ is paired with a big, important character, then separate them and she just links them with some lower new characters, which is pretty messed up.
aipt: Next…
People may assume that this is chosen because venom symbionts appear to be heavily influenced by the host. Jordan, do you agree?
Jordan: I’ll do that! Thankfully, it’s currently linked to the most morally outstanding host of all time… um, Peter isn’t included. Although I think if you’re thinking about questions from POVs around the world, you should mention that it’s the answer. From a meta perspective, I think it’s important that as someone who works on a story about symbiosis, there are flaws and moral failures in the characters. Say-Eddie is a pretty good host for this thing! Seriously, I remember looking at the character history when I took over as editor and looking for something linked to Eddie, Dylan, Flash.
AIPT: Jordan, I loved the whole new poison #10. I think it’s tough to answer fan questions about MJ and Venom’s past, Dylan and what the next for the supporting cast. With so many relationships going on, how was it to steer this issue and edit it?
Jordan: I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again. MJ knew that AL would be in good hands as he didn’t incorporate characters at face value. He delves into their past and works hard to reflect what has come before and how it informs them of how they respond to things. I remember people when MJ made it clear that due to the events being discussed on this issue, they wouldn’t have a sense of symbiosis, but I already knew that considerations were coming for those events. And the same goes for all the characters in the series. They may not get the page counts as big as people like, but I think Al nails the characterization for everyone. So, what about that as an editor? That’s a joy! I got a great script, Carlos turns them into gorgeous pages, completely coloring Frankie, looking at Clayton’s letters in words… I love it when the plans come together.
AIPT: Final question from me, Jordan! I was able to see the Venom designs of Luciano Vecchio in Battleworld #3. I love your views on insights and design!
Jordan: This is like nuts, but it all comes from wanting to do something to celebrate Venom. I was joking when I suggested putting the poison in a red and blue outfit…but many of the best ideas start as jokes! Everyone loved it.
He’s good at it, so I had Luciano design it to design it.
There are so many details out there. I then took the design to the artist, Morris Jordan. Jordan Morris came up with a character and a story to match it. The story serves as a backup to this issue and introduces the world to this new poison! But we hadn’t finished the design yet – Irwing also loved its appearance and celebration, so he made up the excuse for MJ that can be seen at 616! And if it wasn’t an ASM #252 celebration, we got a creative team from that book, “Tom Tom Defalco, Ron Frenz, and Brett Breeding.” That would be a big problem.
AIPT: Okay, let’s dive into the fan questions. There have been over 100 questions and these were selected this month.
Character relationships and dynamics
Symbiobro asks: It’s great to see the flash as an agent toxin. We know that he and Venom symbiosis have a close relationship, but how do you explain the relationship between toxins and sleeper cars? Is he almost a “uncle”?
Jordan: Yes – I think my uncle is a good comparison. He cares about them, sometimes excited to work with them, and sometimes he gets mad at them.
Call him an uncle flash! Credit: Marvel
Mikey T asks: Now that MJ and Paul are split, how much protection do you think Venom is?
Jordan: The relationship between MJ and Venom is sadly complicated. From the end of issue 10, Venom appears to be more pleased to open up to MJ than she is now. That said, the vibe I gained from my breakup with Paul was that it wasn’t a condemnation. So I don’t think Venom is particularly worried about the need to protect MJ from him.
CJ asks: How long has MJ/Paul split been under work?
Jordan: Ever since signing up for MJ for Poison, we knew we were going that way. You will always happily pilot the ship in that direction. I believe you will recall the reference to problem 1 couple therapy. They were destined forever.
Dimitri V also asks: Eddie Brock or Peter Parker, do you think you’re unlucky?
Jordan: Ah, a good question. I think it depends on your views on what luck is. Bad things happen to both of them, but I think the question of whether it’s luck or not depends on your perspective on why they happen. Peter, I feel that most of the bad things that fall under him happen because of his heroism. And honestly, that’s why our comic creators tend to pile up unfortunate coincidences on him. Therefore, his misfortune is basically used to introduce his heroism. With Eddie… I feel like it’s coming from another place. It tends to me to read a little more Calmic – he has made many poor choices in his life, and many bad things have happened to him. I’d hesitate to call it a punishment, but perhaps it’s a little more accurate, saying that overcoming these troubles is meant to be red. At the end of the day, do you think I’ll be leaning it towards Peter? However, that is a 100% appeal for judgment.
Night Watch #5 panel.
Credit: Marvel
Symbiote Lore & Concepts
Venom King asks: Do you see Venom Lore expanding more?
Jordan: So…yeah, I feel like we are expanding the lore of poison in all matters! And I’m not flickering that more will happen to them. I really feel that I am exploring different parts of how symbiosis works, experiencing things and giving them more nuance and richness.
Scal asks: Why does Carnage make those little “flowers” in Eddie’s body? Can Symbiots photosynthesize?
Jordan: Hahaha, no. I think they just look cool and creepy, and I don’t think the genocide is strong enough to create a complete “human” self from Eddie. So he makes those flowers, and has the creatures attached to his little wl.
They are not flowers!
Credit: Marvel
Overwatch asks: Does Mary Jane use her powers to help with her daily tasks?
Jordan: I don’t think so – I don’t think she has yet embraced bonds enough to want to incorporate it into her life like that. Maybe she would have been if it were an emergency, but perhaps it’s not a whim to reach out to grab a coffee or something like that.
Support Characters and Spin-Off
Carl asks: if Paul hosted a symbiont, which would it be, and why?
Jordan: Fun! Let me think about this. Paul as Venom is not good, MJ is venom and I don’t want it to end soon. Paul with the genocide would be interesting – I don’t think he’s suited to the role at all, the Symbiotte would completely ruin his life. But the massacre is now busy ruining Eddie’s life. I don’t think toxins are the best. So, sleepers are probably the most enjoyable thing I’ve dealt with recently. They should probably work on it. That said all… I think the best option is to get clues from the original birth of the genocide – what happens when MJ leaves Paul?
What happens if another IV creates a symbiont for Paul?
Credit: Marvel
Creative processes and directions
Y. Lu wants to know. In the latest volume, Venom has become more Spider-Man Ajakent, featuring his supporting cast and big villains. Was it a deliberate direction or how did things develop?
Jordan: A little of both. We definitely wanted a new host for Symbiote as we wanted to go to the street level. When I hit on being an MJ, it was inevitable that there would be more Spider-Man links in this book. If he had been with Rick Jones as a host, he would have more Hulks and Caps in the book. But that also makes sense for there are more spider ones. The book is a Spider-Man spinoff, and Venom has the power of a spider. It’s great that Venom has his own lore separate from Spider-Man, but he also burns the connectivity of many Spider-Man.
Evan asks: In addition to his legacy number, what made you decide to turn the book back into poison?
Jordan: Hahaha, that is…nothing? lol. It’s both good marketing and fun, and sometimes it goes back to its original number. We were running 10 issues as a whole new venom, but it’s not that character yet, as MJ continues as a venom in No. 250. I don’t think she’s “altogether new” like she did in 10 cases. That said, the great thing about changing the title is that changing the title in issue 11 has a completely new Venom series of 10 shots, where all the issues were on the same creative team! Very rare in this era and age, I am extremely proud of Carlos and Frankie for kicking my ass with 10 issues!
A fun finish
Hank asks: What is Venom’s favorite movie?
Jordan: Well, once again, our favorite films rely on the fact that they have a lot to do with the experience of watching them. Nostalgia is associated with a part of our lives. Peter returned that sense of symbiosis to Earth at the top of the 1984 title. This was a pretty good year for the film. Symbiote is sure to have soft spots in his mind, such as Beverly Hills Cop, Terminator, Footloose, Gremlins and Purple Rain.
Actual footage of Peter leaving the Ghostbusters.
And that’s a rap from Venom Unleashed #11! Check out the exclusive art below, scroll to ask white questions and ask new poll questions!
Can’t you see the following investigation? click here.
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