WARNING! Spoilers for All-New Venom #5

Venomhas bonded with a variety of hosts over the years, with some being more unusual than others, but one symbiote has found a shocking host that puts the rest to shame.Sleeperjust combined himself with none other than MODOK, and in doing so, the symbiote has undergone one of the most surprising transformations in the history of Venom lore.

InAll-New Venom#5 by Al Ewing, Carlos Gómez, Frank D’Armata, and Clayton Cowles, Venom is joined by Sleeper in hisbattle against MODOK.Sleeper is initially bonded with Rick Jones, but when the stakes are heightened, he abandons his weakened body to merge with MODOK himself.

All-New Venom #5 Sleeper bonds with MODOK as a giant head

MODOK already boasts a notably weird design as a massive head without a body. As such, his union with Sleeper creates an unprecedented form that redefines what a host-symbiote combo looks like. Of all the symbiote hosts that have been introduced throughout the Marvel Universe, MODOK may have solidified himself as the strangest.

Sleeper and MODOK Form the Most Shocking Symbiote Transformation Ever

Venom’s Spawn Combines with MODOK in a Surprising Turn of Events

Sleeper is known as the son of Venom, having first appeared inVenom#165 by Mike Costa and Mark Bagley, and it has since evolved into a symbiote like no other. Unlike most other symbiotes of its kind,Sleeper possesses creative chemokinetic abilitiesthat enable it to control chemicals and pheromones in order to manipulate minds via telepathy. With this handy power, Sleeper is undoubtedly formidable, and certain hosts can amplify its existing strengths. Although it’s bonded withRick Jonesat the start of this issue, it takes the leap to MODOK in a strategic maneuver to access greater powers.

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MODOK, like Sleeper, has the power of telepathy at his disposal. With that being said,MODOK’s telepathic abilitiesfar surpass Sleeper’s, which is reflected in his literally big-headed design. Having been upgraded by the Advanced Idea Mechanics and turned into a super-genius without empathy, this villain has no limits when it comes to what his oversized mind can do, and that potential works to Sleeper’s advantage in this story.Upon uniting with MODOK, Sleeper is able to tamper with witnesses' memories and erase all recollection of the Sleeper Agent, then knock the villain unconscious once its identity has been preserved.

All-New Venom #5 Sleeper bonds with MODOK to erase the memories of witnesses

Venom and Sleeper Are Getting Creative With Their Recent Hosts

MODOK Isn’t the Only Unexpected Symbiote Host in Venom’s New Era

MODOK might stick out from the crowd as one of the odder choices for a symbiote host, but that doesn’t mean Venom and Sleeper haven’t experimented with their selections prior to his possession. Venom, for instance, has made headlines after revealing his new host to beMary Jane Watson, while Sleeper and Rick Jones form another unlikely pair. Even Carnage’s host is out of the ordinary, as hejoins forces with Eddie Brockin a staggering upheaval to the status quo.Venomand his fellow symbiotes are getting inventive with their hosts, with MODOK being the latest in the unprecedented line-up.

All-New Venom #5 art by Adam Kubert and Laura Martin - Venom rips off symbiote

Venom in David Baldeon Comic Cover Art