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Peter Parker (Spider-Man)
First Symbiote Appearance: Secret Wars #8 (1984)
The Beyonder transports Spider-Man along with other heroes and villains to Battleworld to take place in the Secret Wars, an intergalactic battle between the world’s greatest heroes and villains. During the battle, Spider-Man’s suit was badly damaged and he needs a new one. Peter came upon a strange machine that produced a black substance that slithered over him and covered his entire body. It replaced his old costume with a new black and white one similar to Arachne's costume. Once the heroes won the battle, they were all transported back to Earth and Spidey kept on wearing the suit as it enhanced his strength, speed, and agility. He would start experiencing odd signs of fatigue and becomes even more concerned when he discovers that the suit produces organic webbing.
Eddie Brock
First Symbiote Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988)
On the brink of suicide, Eddie went to a church to beg for forgiveness when fate intervened and God's funny sense of humor came into play. The alien Symbiote Peter obtained on the Beyonder's planet (Battleworld) started to slither away, towards Eddie. Sensing his emotional pain, it felt a similar pain and hatred for Spider-Man emanating from Brock. Months later, Eddie Brock became the original Venom.
Mac Gargan
First Symbiote Appearance: Marvel Knights Spider-Man #10 (2005)
Norman Osborn reveals Spider-Man's true identity to Gargan and gives him orders to kidnap Peter's Aunt May should Osborn ever be captured and imprisoned. When Spider-Man defeats Osborn, he is imprisoned and Gargan carries out Osborn's orders in kidnapping Aunt May. Gargan eventually summons Peter and tells him the only way he can see his aunt again is to break Norman out of jail. Shortly thereafter, the Venom symbiote approaches Gargan, offering him new abilities, and Gargan becomes bonded with the creature. This would later give him an extra edge as part of Norman Osborn's Sinister Twelve.
Flash Thompson
First Symbiote Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #654.1 (February 2011)
With Mac Gargan as the scorpion again and the symbiote locked up in a secret government base, the Department of Homeland Security has chosen to let the symbiote honor its country. With the symbiote already having killed its previous host, the Government has decided to use Flash as the symbiote's new host. Wanting to be Spider-Man's partner, the Government told Flash that he will only be Venom for 20 missions total - then he will never be allowed to get in the symbiote again. This could lead to addictive behaviors. Given drugs to control the symbiote and suppress its personality, Flash Thompson became one of the Government's covert men in the battle against evil. While having the abilities of Spider-Man plus 10, Flash Thompson is just trying to survive all 20 missions with himself in control, and not Venom.
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