[[{“value”:”
Warning: Spoilers for All-New Venom #5!A new Venom has arrived, but they may not be built to last. For months, since the start of Al Ewing and Carlos Gómez’s All-New Venom series, fans have been speculating about the identity of the new host for the Venom symbiote. Theories have ranged from Rick Jones to more controversial choices, like Paul Rabin. However, fans now have a definite answer.
Marvel, ahead of the official release of All-New Venom #5, announced that Venom’s new host is Mary-Jane Watson. The news certainly produces intrigue, considering that, historically, MJ and Venom are an odd couple to pair together, which could make for some compelling storylines.
There’s plenty to be excited about with the April 2, 2025 release of All-New Venom #5, but it’s hard to fully embrace the hype knowing that, for all intents and purposes, Venom’s new developments likely won’t last long.
Mary Jane Watson’s Stint as All-New Venom Won’t Last Long
All-New Venom #5, Written by Al Ewing with Art by Carlos Gómez
The Venom symbiote has been worn by several hosts over the decades, starting with Peter Parker when it debuted as his black-suited costume in Spider-Man. Eddie Brock, Venom’s most famous and long-lasting host, followed, and more recently, Eddie’s son, Dylan, has taken on the symbiote. However, both Eddie and Dylan are no longer the primary hosts—Eddie now wields the Carnage symbiote, while Dylan has shifted to a supporting role in All-New Venom. Though Eddie and Dylan are the most prominent Venom hosts, they’re far from the only ones.
Many characters have temporarily adopted the Venom symbiote—Flash Thompson, Deadpool, Mac Gargan, Groot, Anne Weying, Captain Marvel, Spider-Gwen, Black Widow, and more. The point here isn’t to list every character who’s worn the symbiote, but to highlight that no Venom host is permanent, not even Eddie Brock. While Eddie may be readers’ favorite Venom, he wasn’t the original host and certainly won’t be the sole host forever.
Similarly, Mary Jane Watson shouldn’t be expected to hold the Venom mantle forever. Marvel has a history of frequently switching up the symbiote’s host, and it’s unlikely that Mary Jane will be an exception. Black Widow, for example, was named the new Venom less than two years ago and received a fresh costume for her Venomized form less than a year ago. In the world of comic books, most things are temporary—especially when it comes to the host of Venom.
Mary-Jane Watson’s Last Superhero Persona Didn’t Last Long
If Jackpot Wasn’t Meant to Last, Then How Could MJ’s Time as Venom?
Not even Mary-Jane Watson’s new superhero persona of Jackpot was meant to last. Mary-Jane first acquired new superpowers in late 2022’s Mary Jane & Black Cat #1, where she showed herself capable of accessing a seemingly endless array of powers chosen through a magical slot machine. The following year, she would use these powers to become Jackpot. It’s also worth noting that MJ is the third character to adopt the Jackpot pseudonym in the Marvel Universe, emphasizing that, again, no one is meant to stay in the same role forever.
MJ officially debuted her Jackpot persona in 2023’s The Amazing Spider-Man Presents: Jackpot #1, written by Marc Guggenheim, penciled by Adriana Melo, inked by Mariah Benes, colored by Andrew Dalhouse, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.
Mary Jane Watson’s time as Jackpot had strong potential to be long-lasting, as it breathed new life into a character who had predominantly served as a love interest. By placing her on the battlefield under a more obscure alias, many fans expected this new role to endure longer than it did. However, with MJ now taking on the Venom symbiote, it seems her time as Jackpot has most definitely ended, just shy of two years after debuting her Jackpot costume. If her stint as Jackpot wasn’t meant to last, it’s unlikely her time as Venom will either.
How Long Can Fans Expect Mary-Jane Watson to Hold the Venom Mantle?
Marvel’s Pattern of Short-Lived Roles: MJ’s Venom Legacy Likely to Follow Suit
If history is any indicator, Mary-Jane Watson will likely hold the Venom moniker for two years or less—most likely less, as two years feels generous. However, close to two years seems to be the average timeframe Marvel typically uses before shaking things up with certain superhero legacies and characters. After all, MJ wasn’t even Jackpot for two years before Marvel rebranded her as All-New Venom. Similarly, Black Widow didn’t stay in her Venom role for long before another new Venom took over.
Related
They Got Us: Marvel’s New Venom Is Not the Hero Everybody Bet On
The mystery surrounding the All-New Venom host just got even juicier, as a leading fan theory just got debunked in the final pages of its new issue.
This could point to a larger, recurring trend—some might call it a problem, but that’s up for debate—within Marvel, and possibly comics as a whole. Most “new” ideas and character shifts rarely last longer than two years. Readers shouldn’t expect MJ’s time as Venom to be any different. In fact, her tenure as Venom may be even shorter before Marvel introduces the next big change for the role. Whether fans are ready for it or not, MJ’s time as Venom is unlikely to last long.
All-New Venom #5 is available April 2, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
Source: Marvel
“}]] Is the All-New Venom here to stay? Read More