Venom's new origin could be different from anything we've seen before and that's good

If you're caught up on Ultimate Spider-Man (2024), then you know it features a charming Spider-Man story that prioritizes human moments over superhero action with overwhelmingly great levels of success (even out-selling The Amazing Spider-Man series for three months in a row). However, while the series has done a fantastic job of making readers fall in love with its ensemble of characters, it has also set the stage for iconic foes to enter the scene.

It's no secret that Spider-Man will face the Sinister Six - or at least some members of them - in Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #9 which is set to release on September 25. But as exciting as that prospect is, it seems readers are also witnessing the origins of another symbiotic villain.

One of the characteristics of Jonathan Hickman's run is that it deviates from typical Spidey stories. Plot points we've all taken as a given - such as Uncle Ben dying and Peter Parker being a teenager - no longer apply here. But even then, this version of the wall-crawler is very respectful to the character Stan Lee created back in 1962. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that a possible new take on Venom would be different from everything we've seen before and, yet, it would feel very natural.

Spider-Man's costume... talks and changes forms

This variant of Peter Parker was supposed to be bitten by a radioactive spider when he was a teenager as the story usually goes. However, that was never the case due to the intervention of The Maker. When Tony Stark finds out about this (many, many years later) he sends Peter a very unique gift bag that includes said radioactive spider, a Picotech suit, and a video message telling him it's his choice to become a friendly neighborhood hero. After that, Spider-Man is born.

But what exactly is that Picotech suit? Well, just an amazing breakthrough in technology that nobody completely understands. Tony explains his father made it, and that it is way beyond anything he himself knows how to create. Furthermore, Otto Octavius tried to wrap his head around it before stating a bit more time was needed to do that. All signs seem to indicate it possesses more intelligence than anyone can imagine. Furthermore, it can do many interesting things.

The Picotech suit can change shapes and forms. Readers see it transform from a sphere right into Spider-Man's costume in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, in issue #8, there's a panel (brilliantly illustrated by Marco Checchetto, may I add) where it appears like black tendrils are coming out from the sphere before adhering to Peter's arm. And wouldn't you know it, but it can also change designs in a heartbeat. When May Parker (Peter's daughter) helps his father come up with the red and blue palette of colors we've all come to expect from Spider-Man, we see a montage of failed tests that includes a black suit with a big, distorted white spider symbol on the chest. Yeah, that seemed a bit suspicious.

But perhaps the most nerve-wracking aspect of this highly intelligent piece of technology is that it's able to recreate Peter's psyche perfectly and act accordingly. It even talks without the need for a host. Now, what would happen if Peter were to ditch this highly advanced suit that knows everything about him, all the way to its costume pattern? What if Otto Octavious experiments on the sample of the Picotech technology he stole and creates something more sinister? Something hungrier?

Up until this point, we've yet to be introduced to a version of Eddie Brock or Flash Thompson to take on the Venom persona. However, it's important to remember that Uncle Ben and J. Jonah Jameson formed their own online news company called The Paper. And now that they have money, could they hire an intern eager to cover the new Spider-Man hero that is making rounds in New York City? If that were to be the case, then Eddie would be the man for the job, and he'd be just one step away from discovering the truth behind the Picotech suit.

It would be a different origin story for Venom than what we've seen before across all media. However, it still feels like home for the character. After all, his most recognizable characteristics would still be there. With that in mind, would you like to see this arc adapted in Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)? Let us know on our social media pages! And stick around with Whatever A Spider Can for everything Spider-Man related!