Summary
The legendary Todd McFarlane recently gave theMarvel’s Spider-Man 2version of Venom his seal of approval during Comic-Con 2023. McFarlane is known as a founding member of Image Comics, where he createdMortal Kombat 11guest character Spawnamong other characters to much critical and commercial success. Before that, he worked with both Marvel and DC Comics on existing properties likeBatmanandSpider-Man. One of his most notable contributions to the latter was creating Venom alongside writer David Michelinie back in 1988, as he drew the villain in his first handful of comic book appearances.
Venom would go on to become one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous and popular enemies, appearing in multiple cartoons, live-action films, and video games in the 35 years since his illustrated debut. Flash forward to theinitial teaser trailer forMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, where Insomniac’s take on the symbiotic supervillain was finally revealed after being teased in the previous two games. Fans got a much better look atSpider-Man 2’s Venom in the latest story trailer at Comic-Con, and it wouldn’t be long before the talented artist who first drew him weighed in on the newest incarnation of this monstrous foe.
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Todd McFarlane sat down for an interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con 2023, where he gave his thoughts onVenom’sMarvel’s Spider-Man 2design. Overall, he had positive things to say about Insomniac’s take, praising Venom’s hulking size and razor-sharp fangs, which harken back to his original vision of the character. McFarlane was more lukewarm toward Venom’s long tongue, which he notes was introduced by fellow comic artist and Image alumni Erik Larsen. Nonetheless, he complimented Venom’s design as looking appropriately viscous for the alien-empowered villain he helped create.
McFarlane also expressed his approval ofSpider-Man 2Venom voice actor Tony Todd, who was chosen for the role due to his guttural voice in roles like the titularCandymanand Zoom from theFlashtelevision series. He ended his interview by saying that he would gladly play as the Insomniac version of Venom, echoing many fans’ wishes thatMarvel’s Spider-Man 2will make Venom playable alongside Peter Parker and Miles Morales.
Whether he’s playable or not, Venom will burst his way into Insomniac’s Marvel gaming universe inSpider-Man 2, and he will do so with the full blessing of Todd McFarlane himself. Hearing the artist who helped created Venom share his thoughts on the newest version of this iconic comic book nemesis is certainly fascinating, especially since Insomniac seems to have drawn from much of his work in bringing the symbiote and its host to life on the PlayStation 5. Gamers will see more of Venom in action, as well as learn who is behind the alien costume, whenMarvel’s Spider-Man 2launches this fall.
