It goes without saying that the Marvel multiverse is being investigated in very significant ways. With the release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” this has really taken off in a big way. This was already underway earlier in 2021 with the release of shows like “WandaVision” and “Loki.” However, the release of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” a few months ago caused a significant rip in the multiverse. It is worth talking about some interesting details regarding how these universes might or might not be connected now that both movies have been released. The solution is simultaneously absurdly complex and deceptively simple.
Spoilers for “Spider-Man: No Way Home” are forthcoming. Be careful as you go.
The Curious Case of Venom In the Marvel Multiverse
The “Spider-Man” franchise’s film rights are owned by Sony, and the character is permitted to appear in the MCU thanks to an agreement between Sony and Disney. Sony, however, has produced films like “Venom” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” that take place in a universe distinct from the one shown in the MCU in order to capitalise on the Spidey-related properties they also own.
However, after the multiverse began to expand, things changed since the streams could now effectively intersect. The “Let There Be Carnage” post-credits scene sowed the first significant seeds for Tom Hardy’s Venom/Eddie Brock entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For the benefit of those who might need a refresher, Eddie/Venom are relaxing at a seaside resort when they are struck by a burst of supernatural energy that appears to transport them into the same universe as Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It was significant.
In “No Way Home,” this was actually further discussed. Peter Parker wants Doctor Strange to use magic to make everyone forget that he is Spider-Man because the revelation has somewhat damaged his life and the lives of the people he cares about. As Peter starts to doubt it in the middle of the spell, it is a bad spell. Those who are aware that Peter Parker is Spider-Man can enter the MCU’s main universe thanks to the mystical energy wave that tore a hole in the cosmos.
While it was established during the “No Way Home” mid-credits scene that Eddie was on the MCU’s Earth, some have questioned how this is possible given that he was unaware of Spider-true Man’s identity. Whatever the case, there is an explanation for this that provides a wealth of future opportunities.
The Explanation
A crucial statement from “Let There Be Carnage,” said by Venom to Eddie, contains the explanation. Despite their connection, it is simple to overlook that the two are separate beings coexisting as one. In this case, that is crucial. As Richard Newby noted on Twitter, Venom says the following to Eddie in their conversation:
“80 billion light years of hive knowledge across universes would explode your tiny little brain.”
A key line from Venom: Let There Be Carnage addresses what some folks are calling a #NoWayHome plot hole but really isn t:
80 billion light years of hive knowledge across universes would explode your tiny little brain.” Venom
Eddie didn t know Spidey is Peter, but Venom did.
Richard Newby (@RICHARDLNEWBY) December 19, 2021
So that’s what happened. The bond between Venom and Eddie is simply a small portion of his extensive history as an alien entity. The time we’ve spent with Venom, it turns out, barely accounts for a grain of sand’s worth of time compared to 80 billion lightyears, if we take this hive mind concept into account. The door is now open for some potentially big developments in the future, whether they occur in the upcoming “Venom 3,” elsewhere in the MCU, or even in Sony’s next Marvel films.
The Symbiote Hive Mind Explained
The symbiotes have been the subject of numerous theories throughout the history of Marvel Comics, but what Venom says to Eddie in “Let There Be Carnage” seems to allude to a more recent addition. This was provided to us by comic book writer Donny Cates, who also created the events “Absolute Carnage” and “King In Black” in addition to having a character-defining run on “Venom.”
Much of this appears to be connected to a crucial antagonist by the name of Knull, who made his first appearance in “Thor: God of Thunder” #6 before making a more substantial appearance in “Venom” #3. Knull is essentially an old creature that existed before the multiverse as we know it. Years ago, he created the first ever symbiote in the shape of a sword and beheaded a Celestial with it. It turns out that he is quite strong. How this incident resulted in the development of the symbiotes as we know them is explained by the fandom’s Marvel Database:
Waging war against the Light, Knull became a legendary figure of divine terror but eventually found himself stranded on a nameless planet after an inhabitant stole his blade and unwittingly followed in his footsteps. Experimenting with his powers, Knull discovered he could create amorphous parasites from the darkness he controls and merge them with “lesser creatures”, so he decided to use this as a way to corrupt the Light. Establishing himself as the nexus of the Hive he created, Knull proceeded to conquer worlds and form a fleet of Symbiote Dragons. When two of his dragons arrived on Earth, the young God of Thunder Thor Odinson struck down one of them and severed Knull’s connection to all of the other Symbiote Dragons, who dissipated into countless individual symbiotes.
Comic books are weird, so there. However, the point is that Venom repeatedly makes mention to this enormous hive mind, which seems to allude to a relationship with Knull. Could it be that everything is setting up for a bloody conflict with Knull and symbiote dragons? Could “King In Black” ever see a loose adaptation? Possibly, but the connective tissue is unquestionably present. In any case, it clarifies how Eddie came to be a part of the MCU, as Venom is well-versed in information that his host is not.
Both digital and Blu-ray/DVD versions of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” are accessible. In theatres currently is “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
