Marvel’s symbiotes are among the most out-of-control creations in comics—alien organisms that can bond with hosts and transform them into living weapons with fangs, claws, and an attitude issue. Since bursting onto the scene in the ’80s as Spider-Man’s mysterious black suit, symbiotes have branched into a whole twisted family tree of heroes, villains, and everything in between. But which of them reigns supreme at the top of the food chain? Here’s a countdown of the ten most dominant symbiotes Marvel has ever let loose—starting with the biggest and baddest last.
10. Venomsaurus Rex
Start with a T. rex. Mix in a symbiote. Voila: Venomsaurus Rex—one of the Old Man Logan saga’s most frightening specters. Visualize an ancient killer machine with alien-boosted speed, strength, and appetite trampling its way across the wasteland. It’s ridiculous, it’s cool, and yes, fans still wish to see it thunder onto the big screen.
9. Scream
Of Venom’s original Life Foundation children, Scream is the most lethal by far. Physically connected to Donna Diego, she uses her hair like a whip with blades and also possesses the cruelty to go along with it—once even murdering her symbiote siblings. And death doesn’t bring her down; she’s been seen fighting while possessing a corpse.
8. Sleeper
Venom’s youngest offspring were born under strict laboratory conditions to prevent the normal corruption that afflicts symbiotes. That didn’t make Sleeper harmless, however—far from it. With camouflage ability to blend in and even chemical manipulation to knock out or control enemies, Sleeper once hijacked a Kree host with clinical ruthlessness.
7. Anti-Venom
Born of the leftover Venom symbiote, combining with Eddie Brock’s experimental cancer cure, Anti-Venom is the black sheep of symbiotes that heal rather than hurt. It can cure illness, cleanse poison, and even expel other symbiotes from hosts. On top of that, it’s resistant to the traditional symbiote vulnerabilities such as fire and sonic blasts, making it a bad guy’s worst nightmare.
6. Toxin
Toxin is the offspring of Carnage and the great-grandchild of Venom—officially number 1000 in their family, and allegedly strong enough to intimidate even Knull, the symbiote deity. Attached to NYPD officer Patrick Mulligan, Toxin inherits all of Venom’s and Carnage’s powers combined, with added venomous bite and immunity to symbiote weaknesses.
5. Carnage
If Venom is the anti-hero, Carnage is the raw horror. Born of Venom and bonded to serial killer Cletus Kasady, Carnage is more brutal, more volatile, and straight-up more deadly. With the ability to switch weapons at will, infect hosts, and even move about through electronic signals, Carnage is anarchy in flesh form.
4. Grendel
Straight from legend, Grendel is a symbiote dragon created by Knull as a civilization-erasing instrument. This giant creature does not require a host—it’s raw destruction energy, able to infect entire planets and act as Knull’s wrecking crew.
3. Knull
The puppet master himself, Knull, is the deity who forged the symbiotes and possesses the All-Black Necrosword. Hecano can summon and command symbiotes throughout the universe, control darkness, and is effectively indestructible without heavenly intervention. Each symbiote exists because of him—and dreads his anger.
2. Venom
Though not the most raw power, Venom’s strength is in resilience and flexibility—particularly when attached to Eddie Brock. Throughout the years, Venom has evolved from villain to unlikely hero, defeating foes much more powerful by sheer grit and willpower. Venom even defeated Knull himself at one time, fueled by the God of Light.
1. King in Black (Eddie Brock)
Following his victory over Knull, Eddie Brock became the new King in Black and took over the entire symbiote hive mind. Now, he has symbiote armies at his disposal, manipulates reality in the hive, and harnesses the powers of all the symbiotes that came before him. By this time, there isn’t a competition—Eddie wears the crown.
Honorable Mentions
Hybrid (four Life Foundation symbiotes that bond into one), Scorn (techno-organic offspring of Carnage), Mania (Vent Venom clone with a mind against the world), and stranger examples like Zzzxx and Dreadface all add their flavor to the mix.
Alien assassins to healing heroes, Marvel’s symbiotes show us gooey black goop can be some of the most versatile—and deadly—comic book characters around. And based on recent comic books, they’re only just getting more powerful.