A shapeshifting villain/anti-hero from the Spider-Man series of comic books published by Marvel.
Venom is an alien symbiote that initially attaches itself to Peter Parker, leading to the creation of the Symbiote Suit (or the black Spider-Man suit). However, the power boost granted by the alien entity proves to corrupt Peter's mind, and he rids himself of it - leading the scorned creature to take over Parker's rival, Eddie Brock, and swear revenge, eventually settling into the role of an anti-hero.
The symbiote was first introduced as Spider-Man's new black costume in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (May 1984) as part of a story called "Homecoming!" The story takes place after Spider-Man's return from the events of the miniseries Secret Wars, where he first obtains the black costume. The full first appearance of Venom is in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988), after the symbiote bonds with Eddie Brock.
