Venom's New Viking Redesign Makes Thor Look Like a Poser

Summary Venom has undergone a major metamorphosis beyond just fighting Spider-Man, stretching himself cosmically in new and unique ways.

In "Venom: Giver of Rings," Venom is portrayed as a Viking berserker, perfectly suited for a world founded on war and conquest.

Comparing Thor to Venom, the symbiote embodies the true Viking spirit of fury and chaos, making him a better fit for the role.

Warning: Spoilers for Venomverse Reborn #2!As Venom stretches himself cosmically, beyond just the body of Eddie Brock, he's become something more than just a hero or villain fighting Spider-Man at street level. Ever since the events of King in Black, Venom truly has never been the same, and recently, he's undergone yet another metamorphosis, one that would make even Thor blush.

In a series of meta-narratives that compiles Venomverse Reborn #2, the alien symbiote of Venom is seen in many peculiar, cosmos-spanning situations. The anthology takes him everywhere from battling an A.I. Iron Man across spacetime, to even the Nordic wastes of the ninth century.

The latter scenario is seen in the story "Venom: Giver of Rings" by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and John McCrea. In this tale, a new Venom is revealed in a situation he's perfectly suited for - as a Viking berserker.

What Makes Venom a Good Viking?

Venom Steals Thor's Look

Classically, a Viking warrior was a kind of pirate who owed their allegiance most usually to Odin, the god of frenzy, or a trance-like fury when they fought. Warriors in Odin's name would lose their entire sense of self and become practically an animal in battle, and they would even wear the skinned pelts of whatever animal energy they were trying to channel. From this basis alone, Venom fits the bill better than Thor.

If a Viking is a rage-filled maniac meant only to slice and dice, then Marvel's scariest symbiote is perfect for the role of a Viking. His bloodlust really is on display in Venomverse Reborn #2, in a time centuries before heroes and when the world was founded on war and conquest. In a world such as that, Venom's otherworldly transformation into an alien being is the final step in a berserker's evolution to the lust of the frenzy. And his wild tongue has never been a better fit than in animalistic battle.

Who's the Better Viking: Thor or Venom?

Thor and Venom: Otherworldly Beings

With heroics in the way, Thor can never live up to the classical definition of a Viking, who was always outside the law and very outside societal morals. He's the exemplar of mythology made modern, of gods who transform into what men need them to be, as heroes and saviors. Venom and his symbiote family, who make the Avengers look weak, listen to none and do only what they want. Truly, like a Viking, Venom fights because he wants to, making him a better Viking whose heritage Thor could never live up to.

Venom fights because he wants to, making him a better Viking whose heritage Thor could never live up to.

Maybe in the current world, Thor needs to be that hero who does not succumb to fury. But when the chips are down, and an animal fighter is needed, Viking Venom will be the one called. After all, the very suit seems to fit him more and looks more historically accurate compared to Thor's simple armor. In all these ways, Venom shows that he is more Viking than the Viking hero himself - and his success looks terrifyingly good on him too.

Venomverse Reborn #2 is available now from Marvel Comics!

"Venom: Giver of Rings" from Venomverse Reborn #2 (2024) Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson

Artist: John McCrea

Colorist: Chris Peter

Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham

Cover Artist: Tony Daniel & Marcelo Maiolo