Venom Epic Collection: Planet of the Symbiotes

The Epic Collection chronicling of Venom's early days continues, as he begins his transformation from Spider-Man's nemesis into the Lethal Protector anti-hero he's known as today!

It’s Venom vs. Spider-Man once again — for the first time! Eddie Brock takes on a very different web-slinger: Ben Reilly! With Venom a wanted man and Eddie’s ex-wife Anne Weying caught in the middle, a deadly rivalry is reborn! And when the symbiote-hunting alien Xenophage targets Venom, this time it’s Eddie’s brain in danger of being eaten! Meanwhile, four imprisoned symbiotes join together to become Hybrid — but how will the Jury judge this unstable new hero? And when an interplanetary army invades Earth, Venom must fight alongside Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider to stop their home from becoming a planet of the symbiotes! But will Eddie’s ex-wife be caught in the crossfire when killer vigilante Sin-Eater strikes?

COLLECTING: Venom: Along Came a Spider (1996) 1-4, Venom: The Hunted (1996) 1-3; material from Amazing Spider-Man Super Special (1995) 1, Spider-Man Super Special (1995) 1, Venom Super Special (1995) 1, Spectacular Spider-Man Super Special (1995) 1, Web of Spider-Man Super Special (1995) 1, Venom: Sinner Takes All (1995) 1-4, Spider-Man Holiday Special 1995 1

Writer/artist Larry Hama got his start as a penciler before becoming a respected editor and later a writer during the ’80s with his career-defining work on G.I. Joe and a memorable run on Wolverine. Through the years, Hama proved his versatility writing Avengers, Blaze, Elektra, Generation X, The Punisher: War Zone and multiple Venom miniseries. When Devil’s Due, IDW and Image Comics in turn obtained the G.I. Joe license, Hama revisited his iconic Marvel run, continuing where he had left off years earlier and bringing the series to — and past — a record-breaking three hundred issues. At Continuity Comics, he created Bucky O’Hare, launching a franchise that extended to animation, video games and a toy line. Hama recently revisited his era helming the adventures of Logan with the Wolverine: Patch limited series.

After beginning his writing career on DC horror titles, David Michelinie moved to Marvel. He and co-writer/inker Bob Layton established Iron Man’s battle with alcoholism, use of specialized armor variants and vendetta against Doctor Doom, as well as other aspects of the character that endure to this day. Michelinie’s unique blend of action, suspense and humor distinguished not only Iron Man, but also Amazing Spider-Man. With artist Todd McFarlane, he introduced the vicious vigilante Venom; he also wrote the first Venom limited series, Lethal Protector. Michelinie’s run as Amazing writer was second in length only to that of Stan Lee himself, while he also authored tie-in titles Spectacular Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man and Spider-Man. He moved from Marvel’s flagship character to DC’s with a stint on Superman’s Action Comics, later returning to the world of Tony Stark for writing collaborations with Bob Layton on Iron Man: Legacy of Doom and Iron Man: The End. 

Dan Slott has built a loyal fan base by combining old-school fun with stories and characterizations friendly to new readers. Following his run on She-Hulk, Slott moved into the upper echelon of Marvel writers, launching Avengers: The Initiative and taking the reins on Mighty Avengers from Brian Michael Bendis. When Marvel gave Spider-Man a fresh start in 2008, Slott was one of several rotating writers on the thrice-monthly Amazing Spider-Man. Slott became the writer most closely identified with the web-slinger’s “Brand New Day” era, and the title hit the “Big Time” when he took over as full-time writer for a decade-long run. Slott has also turned his talents to other iconic Marvel heroes — including soaring the spaceways with Silver Surfer; helming Tony Stark: Iron Man toward Iron Man 2020; and masterminding the glorious return of Fantastic Four, leading to his long-awaited “Reckoning War.” In 2022, Slott made his way back to the Spider-Verse, teaming with legendary penciler Mark Bagley on Spider-Man and introducing the sidekick sensation Spider-Boy.

Patrick “Patch” Zircher got his start illustrating RPG-based comics for Eclipse and 3D comics for Blackthorne during the late 1980s, and drew Now Comics’ Green Hornet. He has been an artist in demand ever since. His notable Marvel credits across the decades include New Warriors, Venom: Along Came a Spider, Star Trek: Early Voyages, Iron Man: The Iron Age, Thunderbolts, Cable & Deadpool, Iron Man, Hulk, Mystery Men and Savage Avengers.

In addition to Deadpool, multitalented penciler, inker and writer Jim Calafiore has worked on many issues of Exiles during its lengthy run, and has an extensive list of credits for both Marvel and DC Comics.

Well regarded as a modern master of the macabre, artist Kyle Hotz is best known for his uniquely creepy art style. Hotz first gained notice during the 1990s with extensive credentials on a long list of horror comics. Since then, he has gone on to illustrate Incredible Hulk, Ghost Rider and Venom for Marvel Comics, as well as The Hood in collaboration with writer Brian K. Vaughan. Hotz thrilled fans of the “living dead” genre with Zombie, a four-part limited series modernizing the classic ’70s-era Marvel horror character, and its sequel, The Zombie: Simon Garth.