Since the start of Al Ewing and Carlos Gómez’s All-New Venom, the secret identity of Venom’s all-new host has been a mystery. Following the clues alongside Dylan Brock, readers have ruled out various suspects over the months, including Luke Cage, Madame Masque, or (for some reason) Rick Jones, before becoming nearly certain the new symbiote hero was Paul. But thankfully, this week’s All-New Venom #5 reveals the truth that no one guessed (because why the hell would we)— the new Venom host is none other than MARY JANE “MJ” WATSON.
Yeah, her. Guess that whole “Jackpot” thing didn’t move comics like they expected.
See for yourself on the newly-revealed All-New Venom Variant by Martín Cóccolo that pays homage to MJ’s first appearance, a secret fifth by Clayton Crain which many comic shops will receive as a complimentary surprise variant cover, and Lucas Werneck’s Spoiler Variant Cover for ALL-NEW VENOM #6. Crain’s surprise cover and the final page of the All-New Venom #5 will be used as Variant Covers for the issue’s upcoming Second Printing.
From strutting down runways as a high fashion model to fighting supervillains as the super hero Jackpot, Mary Jane’s life has taken some unpredictable turns—but never like this! Now that she’s been unmasked, the REAL mystery begins—how and why did she become All-New Venom! Stay tuned for answers in next month’s ALL-NEW VENOM #6 where symbiote and host have a tense confrontation as MJ’s adventures as a symbiote hero continues!
On his decision to take Spider-Man’s greatest love in this bold new direction, Ewing explained, “We hooked readers in with the big mystery – albeit with a little misdirection thrown in – but now the cat’s out of the bag, we can really get into the unlikely interaction of MJ and Venom. Unlike previous hosts, these two aren’t together by choice, but their odd-couple energy makes for a bubbling pot of old-school soap opera thrills. If you’ve enjoyed this lighter take on Venom, there’s a lot more on the way — as well as some darker directions to come.”
Pick up All-New Venom #5 on Wednesday and preorder All-New Venom #6 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
ALL-NEW VENOM #5
Written by AL EWING
Art by CARLOS GÓMEZ
Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Spoiler Variant Cover by MARTÍN CÓCCOLO
Spoiler Virgin Variant Cover by MARTÍN CÓCCOLO
Surprise Suspect Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
On Sale 4/2
ALL-NEW VENOM #6
Written by AL EWING
Art by CARLOS GÓMEZ
Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Spoiler Variant Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
Spoiler Virgin Variant Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 5/7
Images via Marvel Comics