Edward “Eddie” Brock (Venom)

Eddie Brock was born to Carl Brock and Jamie Brock, who died in childbirth - leading to his father blaming Eddie for his wife's death and becoming cold and abusive towards him. Constantly seeking his father's approval, Eddie excelled academically but his achievements were met with half-hearted encouragement.[39] When Eddie was a teenager, he stole his father's car and snuck out to get drunk with some friends, attempting to sneak it back home before his father noticed. In the process, he accidentally killed his neighbor's young son, leaving him horrified. Carl brutally beat Eddie when he refused to plead innocent, and the charges were dropped when he plead not guilty. However, covering up the incident almost bankrupted Carl Brock, ruining his reputation and further amplified his hatred and resentment towards his son.[40]

In his teenage years, Eddie gained entrance to ESU's journalism program by fabricating an internship, and he romanced law student Anne Weying.[41] Though exceptional in athletics, Brock switched his major in college to journalism after reading an article on the Watergate scandal. Upon graduating, he moved to New York City and married Anne. As a member of the Associated Press, he obtained a job as a journalist for the Daily Globe. He proved himself to be highly talented, though even this did not get his father's approval.[42]

The symbiote that would be later known as the Venom Symbiote was spawned at some point during the reign of the dark elder god Knull.[15][16] Much of the symbiote's history prior to its arrival on Battleworld is unclear, in part due to its memories having been erased, modified, or otherwise altered numerous times.[17][18][19] According to some sources (including itself), the symbiote was the 998th of its lineage,[20][21] while others purport it to be the first symbiote created by Knull.[14][22][9]