Marvel has just confirmed that Mary Jane Watson is theVenomsymbiote’s latest host, as the mystery at the heart of the publisher’sAll-New Venomseries has finally been solved– now the question becomes whether this is a satisfying answer for fans of Venom, and fans of MJ, following months of rabid speculation.
Marvel dropped the bombshell newsjust days ahead of the release ofAll-New Venom#5 – written by Al Ewing, with art by Carlos Gomez – with the issue set to officially take the mask off and begin the all-new Mary Jane-era of Venom.
The uncertainty surrounding Venom’s latest host, following Marvel’s shake-up of its symbiote lore, has been a thrill-ride, but now fans have to buckle up for this new, unexpected paradigm for two major characters.
Marvel Officially Announces That Mary Jane Watson Is The Marvel Universe’s New Venom
All-New Venom#5 – Written By Al Ewing; Art By Carlos Gómez; Color By Frank D’Armata; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
At the onset ofAll-New Venom, Marvel set out a short-list of suspects, includingstreet-level powerhouse Luke Cage, OG Hulk sidekick Rick Jones, and more – yet over the series' first four issues, none of the initial suspects seemed to be the right fit. Instead, fan speculation turned to Mary Jane Watson’s boyfriend Paul, a character widely disliked by Marvel readers, with many concerned Marvel would elevate him to a position of greater prominence by making himthe latest Venom host. Instead, he was yet another red herring,obscuring the fact that Mary Jane herself is wearing the symbiote.
They Got Us: Marvel’s New Venom Is Not the Hero Everybody Bet On
The mystery surrounding the All-New Venom host just got even juicier, as a leading fan theory just got debunked in the final pages of its new issue.
This major reveal has twofold significance within the context of the Marvel Universe; first, now thatAll-New Venom’sinitial mystery has been resolved, the new epoch for Venom can truly begin.Taking the symbiote away from its most familiar hosts– Eddie Brock, who is now bonded with the Carnage symbiote, and his son Dylan, who is currently playing a supporting role inAll-New Venom– was a bold move on Marvel’s part, and the anticipation for who the mantle would pass to has been palpable, leading to this stunning conclusion.
Being Cast As The “All-New Venom” Is A Major Challenge For Mary Jane Watson
All-New Venom#5 – Available June 24, 2025 From Marvel Comics
Whether Mary Jane is the answer fans wanted, or how quickly they will acclimate to her in the role, are the next questionsAll-New Venomwill have to tackle. Over the past several years, Marvel has taken steps to give Mary Jane her own distinct heroic identity, under the name Jackpot – a riff on her legendary first line inSpider-Manlore – andnow she will take the reigns of theVenomfranchise, which has the potential to be both a blessing and a curse.On one hand, it undeniably makes her a much more important figure in the Marvel Universe.
Venom is a fan-favorite Marvel character, and the symbiote is synonymous with Eddie Brock. Mary Jane now has to operate in the shadow of that legacy .
On the other hand, it gives her positively massive shoes to fill;Venom is a fan-favorite Marvel character, and the symbiote is synonymous with Eddie Brock. Mary Jane now has to operate in the shadow of that legacy – and with the “Sword of Damocles” of Eddie and Venom’s inevitable reunion hanging over her head as well. All Al Ewing and the creative team behindAll-New Venomcan do for now is to make the most of this major upheaval in Marvel Comics, and tell a groundbreaking story that makes thisVenomreveal worth it.
All-New Venom#5wil be available July 25, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
