Marvel has unveiled brand new details about the upcoming ‘Summer of Symbiotes‘ event, which kicks off in May as a celebration of 35 years of Venom and his unholy progeny. The details were revealed at C2E2 in Chicago, at a panel featuring Marvel EiC C.B. Cebulski, Venom editor Devin Lewis, David Pepose (Extreme Venomverse), Sabir Pirzada (Cult of Carnage: Misery), and Zeb Wells (Amazing Spider-Man). Although I was unable to attend, Marvel was able to send over a handy press release to showcase the upcoming shenanigans. 

summer of symbiotes
Summer of Symbiotes promo by Philip Tan and Brad Anderson

First up was the reveal of Web of Carnage, a brand new series spinning out of the aftermath of Carnage Reigns. While Reigns follows the crossover between Miles Morales and the Extrembiote wielding Cletus Kasady, Web will return the spotlight to the Carnage symbiote itself, tracking the chaotic creature through the stars as it battles to become the new King in Black, beginning with a face off again Morlun, the Devourer of Spider-Totems. Ram V and Francesco Manna return to Carnage, along with unnamed creators, with Web of Carnage #1 on July 12th

summer of symbiotes
Web of Carnage #1 cover by Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim

Also releasing on July 12th is Red Goblin #6, from Alex Paknadel and Jan Bazaldua. The series picks up with ‘Nature Vs. Nurture’ after Carnage Reigns, as Normie Osborn and his own symbiote, the Rascal, duke it out to either unleash or control their murderous urges.

summer of symbiotes
Red Goblin #6 cover by Björn Barends

Marvel also revealed further details on Cult of Carnage: Misery, the new book launching May 3rd. The series revolves around Liz Allen and her bond with the Misery symbiote, accidentally forced upon her by Madness, another new symbiote in the ever-growing web of them across the Marvel mythos. Madness is ‘imbued with all the powers and personalities of the Life Foundation symbiotes,’ and it’ll take all of Liz’ new abilities to stop it’s chaos. Sabir Pirzada and Francesco Mortarino helm this new odyssey, with issue #3 dropping July 26th and issue #4 out August 30th.

Cult of Carnage: Misery #3 cover by Skan Srisuwan
Cult of Carnage: Misery #4 cover by Skan Srisuwan
Madness design by Francesco Mortarino

The focus then shifts to the OG symbiote himself, with the ‘radical transformation’ of Eddie Brock in Venom #22, out July 5th from Al Ewing and Ramon F. Bachs. Eddie will travel into the past and learn shocking new secrets about the history of symbiotes, while meeting the mysterious Flexo. Then, Torunn Grønbekk and Ken Lashley jump in for a guest issue focusing on Toxin, the misbegotten spawn of Carnage, as they battle Dylan Brock in Venom #23, releasing July 19th.

Venom #22 cover by Bryan Hitch
Venom #23 cover by Bryan Hitch

Symbiotes will also infect Marvel’s Infinity Comics, with the launch of the Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic in the Marvel Unlimited app. The series will alternate between creative teams, beginning with stories about a new Venom from Clay McLeod Chapman (out June 13th), and a another set of alternating stories from J. Holtham about President Venom (starting on July 4th). Art on the series will be handled by Phillip Sevy, Gustavo Duarte, Dax Gordine, and Nathan Stockman.

Edge of Venomverse Unlimited #1 cover
New Venom design by an unnamed artist

To round out the announcement and the Summer of Symbiotes, the panel revealed that Extreme Venomverse will be the precursor to The Death of the Venomverse, a five issue miniseries from symbiote veterans Cullen Bunn and Geradro Sandoval. The series will follow Carnage, as it travels the Multiverse on its mission to kill every Venom it can find. 

Bunn was excited to return to the Venomverse, and discussed his involvement:

“It’s been far too long since I’ve written any stories about Venom and company,” Bunn said. “About Eddie, about Flash, about Andi, about Carnage. This story–this completely bonkers epic–feels like the right time to throw my symbiotic hat back in the ring. Returning to a multiverse full of Venom symbiotes, maybe (but hopefully not) for the last time, I knew I had to do something big. Thus, the title—DEATH OF THE VENOMVERSE–was born. Perhaps that title is a bit of a threat for our favorite symbiotes, but I promise you it is not empty! Get ready for plenty of surprises, some heartbreak, and more symbiotes than you can shake a stick at!”

The Death of the Venomverse will have all five of its issues released in the month of August (beginning with #1 on August 2nd), and will also feature classic backups from David Michelinie, original co-creator of Venom.

Death of the Venomverse #1 cover by Björn Barends

For more Marvel Madness, keep it here at the Beat… and come back this afternoon for more comics convention coverage and some eXciting news….