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Warning: Contains potential spoilers for All-New Venom #2!
Fan-favorite NHL mascot Gritty may havejust made a surprising appearance in Marvel Comics, debuting as a dastardly villain and ready to go up against the all-new Venom. Since his debut on the ice in 2018, the fuzzy orange character cheering on the Philadelphia Flyers has become a meme-worthy sensation, and a very similar-looking creature will be showing up as part of a classic, yet appropriately silly, team of villains.
In the preview for All-New Venom #2 – written by Al Ewing, with art by Carlos Gómez – the newly-redesigned symbiote and its mysterious host find themselves taking on the Death-Throws, a group of juggling criminals. As the team auditions three new members, one familiar orange face stands out from the rest.
Gritty, or some kind of doppelgänger, appears among the villainous team before going up against Venom, both wearing a Philly shirt and holding a cheesesteak. With the funny furry creature’s shocking appearance, it seems that Marvel Comics could be infusing the lore of the NHL’s most bizarre yet lovable mascot.
Philadelphia Flyers Mascot Gritty Just Joined A Group of Villains To Battle Venom In Nearby New York City
All-New Venom #2 – Written By Al Ewing; Art By Carlos Gómez; Colors By Frank D’Armata; Lettering By VC’s Clayton Cowles
Hockey’s favorite mascot was introduced back in 2018, with the character’s backstory explaining that he was unearthed during construction at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and now Marvel’s new take on Gritty just showed up in NYC. Although it’s in the home city of many iconic Marvel heroes, the Gritty-like creature in All-New Venom still represents Philly with their clothing and handheld food of choice. It seems that this could either be the real Gritty, caught in some shenanigans while the Flyers are at an away game, his undiscovered family member…or the most disappointing option – a costumed human.
Though Gritty has crossed over with Marvel before, here, his existence is explicitly established in Marvel canon.
Regardless of this character’s true identity in the pages of All-New Venom, it’s undeniably part of or based on Gritty’s wacky world, making the mascot officially part of Marvel Comics continuity. Though Gritty has crossed over with Marvel before, here, his existence is explicitly established in Marvel canon. His potential role in the Death-Throws is an exciting expansion of his story, and actually makes some sense for the 7-foot-tall character. Gritty is known to do various tricks, including juggling, so if he was going to join any Marvel team, the criminal jugglers are a surprisingly good fit for the orange creature.
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It may seem strange for a third-party mascot to suddenly join Marvel Comics, but Gritty’s appearance in the universe really wouldn’t be so outlandish, especially considering Marvel’s vast array of monsters and creatures. Since this take on the furry orange fiend isn’t actually sporting Philadelphia Flyers gear, somebody unfamiliar with the hockey team and Gritty may not even catch the reference at all. Gritty’s more edgy characterization is what first made him a sensation in memes and among fans, making him perhaps the most interesting original mascot ever, and his story continues to unfold as he becomes a Marvel villain.
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Though the NHL mascot has crossed over to TV shows like Abbott Elementary in the past, it should be interesting to find out what kind of antics Gritty could get up to in the Marvel Universe, after officially entering comic lore. Whether he sticks around with the Death-Throws, or ditches the villains for another zany adventure, the lovable character certainly has lore that could be further explored in some way, outside his appearances cheering on the Philadelphia Flyers. As Gritty potentially makes his wild Marvel Comics debut, the all-new Venom might be skating on thin ice.
All-New Venom #2 will be available January 8, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
“}]] The Marvel Universe just got Gritty. Read More