Symbiote (comics)

The symbiotes, also known as the Klyntar (), are a fictional species of extraterrestrial symbiotic life forms appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with Spider-Man. The symbiotes form symbiotic bonds with their hosts, through which a single entity is created. They are able to alter their hosts' personalities and memories, often influencing their darkest desires; amplify their physical and emotional traits and personality; and grant them super-human abilities. The symbiotes are also weakened when in range of extreme sounds or sonic frequencies. There are more than 40 known symbiotes in the Marvel Universe.

The first and most well-known symbiote is Venom, who originally attaches itself to Spider-Man during the 1984 Secret Wars miniseries. After Spider-Man rejects it, the symbiote bonds with his rival, Eddie Brock, with whom it first becomes Venom, though it still possesses the powers of Spider-Man. The character has since endured as one of Spider-Man's archenemies, though he has also been occasionally depicted as an antihero. Other characters have later merged with the Venom symbiote, including the villain Mac Gargan, and Flash Thompson, who became the superhero Agent Venom. Other well-known symbiotes are Carnage, an offspring of Venom who, when merged with its most infamous host, Cletus Kasady, has served as an enemy of both Spider-Man and Venom; and Anti-Venom, which originates when the Venom symbiote re-merged with Brock after being separated from him, gaining a new white appearance and additional powers.