Venom 2099 is an origin story first published in 2019, via the pages of Venom 2099 issue #1.
Written by Jody Houser, and illustrated by Francesco Mobili and Geraldo Borges, Venom 2099 introduces a new host to the Venom mythology in the shape of high school student, Alea Bell.
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What happens in Venom 2099?
Alea Bell has a skin condition, which covers the left side of her body. To cure her affliction, Alea agrees to take part in an experimental procedure at Alchemax – a mega corporation which deals in medical research (amongst many other things).
The procedure sees Alea sedated and given a transfusion containing a chemical known as ‘Venom’. A short while later, Alea wakes up to discover the procedure was a success, but the treatment has left her with one very significant side-effect – there is now an organism inhabiting her body.
The organism is a symbiote called Venom, or rather it is part of Venom. Alchemax has divided the symbiote into small pieces, giving one piece to Alea and keeping the others for future procedures and experiments.
Agreeing to help Venom become whole again, Alea breaks into Alchemax to release the rest of the symbiote(s). However, once all of the individual Venom pieces are loose, they bond with Alea and kill the doctor who was involved in their separation.
Alea does not agree with Venom’s disregard for the doctor’s life, but believes that if the two work together they can become a force for good. Venom agrees, ushering in a new era for the anti-hero.
As Alea and the symbiote settle into a new life together, Venom suddenly gets a vision that Knull, the Symbiote god, is on Earth. Their future together suddenly looks less certain.
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Is Venom 2099 worth a read?
Although it is short in length, running to around 30 pages, Venom 2099 is a great update/re-introduction of the Venom mythology. Eddie Brock – the regular host of the symbiote – is nowhere to be seen (and presumably dead by 2099), and this allows for new stories to be told and the introduction of a new host.
But this doesn’t mean this is an entirely fresh start; the symbiote is still Venom and that means there are nods to the past. Some of these nods to the past highlight the pre- and post-Brock years.
In recent times, the symbiote has been through an ordeal, having been experimented on by Alchemax and turned into a weapon. This provides plenty of story threads to be tugged at in the future, even if they are not fully explored here.
With shades of Batman Beyond, and some good visuals, Venom 2099 is an enjoyable read. It isn’t loaded with dialogue, but it is loaded with potential, and although this tale was conceived as a one-shot it feels like the start of something much bigger.
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Has Venom 2099 been adapted for film?
Venom 2099 has not been adapted for film and it is unlikely to be adapted any time soon.
Venom has appeared on screen in Spider-Man 3 (2007), Venom (2018) and Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), but always with Eddie Brock as the main host. She-Venom did appear briefly in 2018’s Venom, but it was only temporary – Eddie Brock is the go-to host at present.
And as Eddie is the most notable host, as well as a fan-favourite character, it would seem doubtful he will step aside any time soon. So don’t expect to see Alea Bell for a while.
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