Marvel’s Ultimate Universe is undergoing a seismic shift, and Spider-Man fans are witnessing a shocking transformation that no one saw coming. In a twist that marries legacy with reinvention, Richard Parker (Peter Parker’s son) has officially taken on the name Venom.
However, this isn’t just a name change; it dramatically reimagines the journey for one of Marvel’s most iconic mantles. In Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1, Marvel introduces a game-changing moment that may redefine the relationship between Spider-Man and Venom. Additionally, it’s none other than Miles Morales who kickstarts Richard’s evolution into the black-suited antihero.
Miles Morales Accidentally Makes A New Venom
The debut of Richard Parker as Venom doesn’t come out of nowhere, it’s been building up since the very start of the new Ultimate Spider-Man series. However, when Miles Morales swings into Earth-6160 looking for his baby sister, he unknowingly triggers a future-defining shift. Upon meeting the father-son Spider-Man duo, Miles instantly recognizes Peter Parker as a variant of the Spider-Man he knows.
Related: Spider-Man’s Romantic Interests In Marvel Comics, Ranked
But when he turns to Richard (who is in a sleek black suit) Miles casually refers to him as Venom. Richard, possibly excited to step out from his father’s long shadow, seizes the opportunity. “My name is definitely now Venom,” he declares, cementing his new identity. This moment is significant not just for what it changes in the story, but for what it represents.
Moreover, Richard’s transformation isn’t your typical symbiote story. In this Ultimate Universe, the “Venom” substance isn’t an alien parasite. Instead, it’s a Picotech suit (sentient and powerful) originally gifted to Peter Parker by none other than Iron Lad (a young Tony Stark). At first, the suit bonded with Peter, aiding him in becoming Spider-Man once again as an adult. However, things took a dark turn when the suit began to replace him, not just physically, but emotionally.
Eventually, it found a new host in Richard Parker. The eerie parallel to the original symbiote’s obsession with Peter Parker is striking. Here too, the suit “chooses” a Parker, creating an intimate, possibly dangerous bond with the next generation. Fans quickly picked up on the symbolic weight of Richard donning a black suit eerily reminiscent of Venom’s.
Additionally, the slow-burn storytelling only made the payoff that much more satisfying and unsettling. With Richard now officially claiming the Venom title, the character steps into a fascinating gray area. Will he be a true anti-hero?
Why Richard Parker’s Venom Is A Brilliant Twist On Spider-Man Lore
This isn’t just a gimmick. Marvel’s decision to make Peter Parker’s son the new Venom is a brilliant twist that redefines the relationship between Spider-Man and his long-standing nemesis. It’s no longer a battle between two rivals. It’s a reflection of inheritance, responsibility, and identity within the Parker family itself. Miles Morales’ role in all this adds another layer of complexity.
In case you missed it: How ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Can Connect To ‘Thunderbolts*’ Through Sentry’s Void
His presence in the Ultimate Universe doesn’t just alter events, it causes a butterfly effect. Without meaning to, he sparks Richard’s transformation, making Miles partly responsible for a new, unpredictable chapter in the multiverse. The possibilities are endless. With the Brock family name already mentioned in earlier issues, there’s room for Eddie, Dylan, or even Anne Weying to appear in this reimagined reality.
However, with Richard now firmly in the spotlight, he may not need the Brocks to validate his place in Venom lore, he’s forging his own path, shaped by family legacy and multiversal consequences. All in all, it’s clear Marvel has successfully planted the seeds for a deeply compelling future. Richard Parker’s transformation into Venom not only honors the mythos but reinvents it with purpose and emotion.
