The BIGGEST Spider-Man/Venom event! | Planet of the Symbiotes

Fearing the growing infl uence of his "other," Eddie Brock takes the drastic step of splitting himself from the Venom symbiote! But the unwitting result is a full-scale invasion of Earth by its alien race! As more and more humans are taken as hosts, Eddie must team with Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider to save Earth from being overrun. And to do so, they must journey to the Planet of the Symbiotes! But whose side will the Venom symbiote be on? And amid all the chaos, Carnage awakens from his coma - and plans to absorb as many symbiotes as he can! Can our heroes deal with a 50-foot-tall monster? It's a symbiotic sci-fi super hero spectacular! Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #venom #spiderman
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ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@comicpop]

Buy the trade of Planet of the Symbiotes right here! amzn.to/3Yrm60u

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Where are you guys and I had to buy all the issues?! Thank you so much for this link

[@_PRIME_]

Retro Spiderman (& Venom) stories are arguably my favorite kind of Back Issues Episodes because of how silly they are

[@zman2836]

*The symbiote cries* Meanwhile in Knull’s tomb: Knull: “Keep it do out there. People are trying to sleep.”

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

Why did they invent Super Special Issues for this when they could've been Giant-Sized Issues? Then the final issue could've been "Planet of the Symbiotes Part 5 of 5: Giant-Sized Carnage".

[@TevyaSmolka]

good question i wonder about that as well

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 yup that's right

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 EXTREME!!!!

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 indeed

[@derektyler5817]

They took the place of the Annuals for that year. After this they move to the "year" Annuals. '95 '96 '97 etc

[@CrazyWildChris]

Tiff always has the coolest outfits/hats when on

[@pay7232]

Sometimes I wonder if they have a full costume department in that studio.

[@topspinbot5777]

On god, Tiff stay coming with the drip 🥶💎🥶💎.

[@lucyinchat]

Almost as cool as the scarlet spider costume.

[@EZ95]

Undertaker drip when it comes to the hat

[@jakaflorjancic2760]

The hat has Ned in Homecoming vibe

[@anothercleverusername992]

_"Now and forever, we remain Venom! And I'm like, shut up, Venom.."_ 🤣😂🤣😂

[@1337snake888]

Great episode, one of those storyline that seems like a big deal until everyone forgot it

[@pay7232]

I reread this the other year and man have they retconned this story to hell.

[@halfmettlealchemist8076]

@@pay7232 It’s fucking wild how much lore the symbiotes have gotten within the past, like, five years. They went from “evil space goop” to “actually only some of the goop is evil, the rest of them are chill” to “actually they’re the spawn of an Elder God who created them to be living weapons only for them to turn on him and imprison him in a living world of their own making, and also they can transcend space and time”.

[@pay7232]

@@halfmettlealchemist8076 😂yeah, I am just finishing up the Cates/Stegman omnibus of their whole four year run. What’s even more wild, is they just viciously ignored Bendis whole Planet of the Symbiotes story as soon as it was over. Cates stuff literally started like less than two years later I believe.

[@kiko1935]

Love when Sal covers a Venom book because he talks about Venom like he is his at times exasperating younger brother that he is secretly fond of. Also - this bugged me as a kid, but I thought Venom's eyes looked like Spider-Man's because he was attached to Peter and mimicking his look. So why do all his fellow symbiotes have the exact same eyes? Is it pure coincidence that Spider-Man and the symbiotes have the same eye shape? Does any of this matter? I guess not.

[@danielavvollanum1917]

Yea, the eyes always bugged me as well buddy. The whole spider motif i.e. the symbol, the webs AND the eyes should be exclusive to Venom (and partly Carnage, since he is Venom offspring). I thought they cracked it pretty well in the Ultimate version. When Peter first gets encased in the suit, it's just a stark black gooey zentai suit, until he thinks to himself that he can't see, and boom - eyes appear, ROUND eyes mind you. As he wears it, the suit slowly changes and adapts to Peters "sense of style" if you will. Oh, and no webs! He simply slings symbiote strings, similar to Carnage of the 90's. (And when Ultimate Eddie dons the suit, there's no spider symbol)

[@bigevil1001]

Almost every symbiote on Earth is a descendant of Venom. So it could be genetic.

[@comixproviderftw_02]

Oooooh shit! Spider-Man story? ✅ Spider-Man Clone Saga story? ✅ Tiffs here to witness the madness of the Clone Saga? ✅

[@Mattkeyz1]

These are the best episodes because it's like Sal has some reverence for this for what it is, while also still calling out the BS about it.

[@Lawarot]

I wasn't alive in the 90s, and I think Scarlet Spider is a top 10 Spider-Man costume. It just looks good. Very simple but effective design. Looks like what someone without a ton of money would actually make for a costume, yet still cool.

[@williamcobb2972]

Man, Tiffany’s hat looks remarkably similar to Van Hellsing’s hat.

[@donkyoofficial]

The Ben Reilly X Gene idea is actually kinda cool I'm not gonna lie

[@benreilly4347]

When I was a young teen I had 2 or 3 issues of this completely out of context so I'm stoked for this episode so I can finally know what's going on. All I remember about it is thinking "Why isn't Human Torch solving this problem?"

[@Beaze17]

I am one of those weirdos that always liked the Scarlet spider costume. That's the one I use on Marvel vs Capcom 3, and spiderman PS4. Ironically enough I really dig both of Ben's actual spiderman costumes as well. Superrr dope! Hoping they make the cut for the new game.

[@thepaulmorse]

You ain’t alone, loved it back then, and only gets better with time. I never truly understand people’s distaste of it. I feel it’s just general hate of early 90’s spiderman that bleeds into the few thing that were actually great from that area.

[@Mickylad]

I’m also a scarlet spider fan. Thought his costume was awesome.

[@EnerKaizer]

same. Ben is my favorite Marvel hero, and he had the best spider-man costume period.

[@TumzFestivalYT]

It looks like something I could believe Peter Parker put together. It reflects the "street level" status. Not to mention the fully visible web shooters, so there's no question he doesn't have organic webbing. It's not the best, but it isn't the worst. It was the 90's so I think just the torn sleeves were enough to make people turn up their noses. For some reason, one unspoken characteristic of most legendary heroes is a one time devotion to designing and putting together an amazing, visually striking costume.

[@priceyyeti4058]

Oh, so this is the comic every video game with a symbiote uses.

[@anthonyhudak9363]

If you really think about it, Carnage is very consistent considering a lot of his goals involve him wanting to evolve the symbiote whether it's by Chthon, Grendel symbiotes, killing dark elves, or even just straight up being a kaiju

[@Samael_Morningstar666]

YES! More Spider-Man! Your Spider-Man episodes are some of my favorites!

[@ImYourS3npai]

I can't say that the Reilly costume is the best of all time, but it's definitely in my top 5.

[@Officiallydubs]

Ive always taken note of Sals vocabulary then I went back and watched some older vids and peeped that he’s an English teacher and it made sense.

[@lmaono1356]

I never knew that, but now that you mention it, it all makes sense now lol

[@pay7232]

My favorite back issue episodes are Clone Saga episodes.

[@Martin_TheCollector]

Good old Spidey comics... They're quite dreadful to read at times and yet Sal manages to make 'em seem pretty fun or intriguing. At least to some degree lmao!

[@mttylerdurden9]

4:18 wait, really?!? If symbiotes have been around since Vietnam, has anyone made a story we're Frank castle got a symbiote during that time?

[@CptCrash21]

27:23 -- Symbiotes have long been known for their strong sense of irony. Everyone knows that.

[@GRUBNICK98]

I think we all need to chip in for his and her matching pajamas for Tiffany and Sal.

[@EarthOneSpidey]

Most people I know that love Ben's suit never read the Clone Saga. Myself included. 😅 Always liked the Scarlet Spider.

[@flywheelshyster]

Sometimes you just know a particular book will make a great back issues and this is one of those

[@SkylightCiel]

When I was 9 or so I remember seeing the cover to Planet of the Symbiotes in some swapmeet somewhere and becoming obsessed with the idea of it. I mean what child doesn't think symbiotes are the coolest thing ever? And a whole planet of them!! I never actually got access to the thing so I never read it and for the past 16 years I've often thought out elaborate plots on what this storyline was probably about. After watching this back issues I can confidently say none of them were even remotely close! The story barely takes place in that planet!! Also Kaiju Carnage!? How as I supposed to know that was in there!

[@thesavageJ]

This was part of the clone saga too wow i collected these back in the day ... don't miss them

[@jakester1115]

Tiffany got mad hat game👏💯

[@fragile4408]

The Scarlet Spider is my fav- Sal: And as many people are typing in the comments right now that it's their favorite Well.... he called my ass out.

[@mathewblaine1109]

This was about where I stopped as a kid before picking it back up in the 00s

[@Darkon2050]

Man I love Venom so much. Only now after we’ve gotten all this modern Venom goodness do I recognize how batshit insane a lot of old Venom/Carnage stories were. Still love them, but they’re dumb as hell. Probably why I like the Sony Venom movies too.

[@shiningnight12]

Did Tiffany wear red and blue on purpose lol. That's dope

[@larrycookjr.7078]

The explanation of the Symbiotes being parasites gives me a new perspective of the Venom movie

[@Gronmin]

That ending reveal was amazing

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

Back when this came out I really wanted everyone to have a symbiote. My first thought was the healing side, like Tony Stark having his heart repaired.

[@hartthorn]

Rewatching this, and I almost could justify that ending with the idea of the joining between Eddie and Venom exposing the emptiness of the symbiotes' lives to such a degree they lost the will to live. Venom becoming the first COMPLETE version destroys them at a foundational level.

[@Dropdeaddonuts]

Both of ben reilly’s costumes far outshine the original

[@nuggetanimations155]

Ben Riley’s suit was always one of my favorites but not because of nostalgia because I didn’t grow up with anything to do with Ben the only thing I ever saw was him in the 94 animated series which I watch clips of on KZbin and I didn’t like his costume in that but later on a few years later I pick up a ton of the most recent scarlet spider series and I loved the suit design because it made sense it looked like something anyone could put together but that being said I will admit the Peter Parker spider suit is better looking but that og scarlet spider suit will always have a place in my heart

[@KleptoFG]

i appreciate all the little instances of putting up the panel someone mentions

[@KenByrneNL]

My nostalgia glasses are strong with this story

[@adeadphish7931]

As a child of the 90s who is a huge Spider-Man and Venom fan, I loved this books a kid. Now, in my 30s, I realize it is a hot mess that embodies so much of how the 90s were a mess for marvel, but I still love it as cheesy 90s schlock. Also I loved Linkara's review of ti back in the day

[@matteverard7665]

Thank you comic pop, just...thank you. You guys are the best. Thank you 🥹

[@bachirimir0]

God, I love the Clone Saga..but this story has always been one I don't care for. Giant Carnage is extremely entertaining, though.

[@Sicod79]

Venom: Lord of the Tighty Whities

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

This was my jam back in the day! I loved the way Ben Reilly explained the symbiote talking in his mind as images. It was the basis for how I wrote about mental communication in my book. :D

[@guyincognegro99]

I love the scarlet spider costume

[@brianwilcox1686]

I was really wondering, why you guys don’t cover more flash comic books, how about flash rebirth 2016 I love your guys channel

[@Grievousish]

I appreciate that thanks to Marvin the Martian we all feel compelled to say Modulator with an extra syllable

[@zetsubanned4308]

It's not nostalgia-goggles, it's people in the past being taste-blind. People in the 90's saying Ben's costume was the worst is about as taste-blind as the movie The Thing utterly bombing when it came out in theatres.

[@germanrenthel4225]

Aweeeeesomeeee loved this story for so many years!!! Thanks guys!!

[@TevyaSmolka]

I remember Planet of the Symbiotes it was a very weird 90's Spider-Man venom crossover event that unfortnately connected to the clone saga which was probably bad timing because clone saga itself was going on at the time and having this Spider-Man event slammed into the clone saga at the same time just felt like bad timing and business decision at least in my opinion, that being said though this story as a whole just really went nowhere and didn't progress venom Eddie brock story like at all and also didn't progress anyone's story especially ben riely scarlet Spider story and Peter parker story like at all at least in my opinion. That being said though the one thing I do like about this story is that Peter parker and Mary jane are still married which makes me so happy and seeing MJ and Peter parker being married within any story is really awesome and tons of fun and I love seeing both of them work together side by side makes me so happy that it makes me miss them as a happy marry couple every day at least in my opinion.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 Agreed and honestly as i brought up before the clone saga in itself wasn't a bad idea in hindsight and personally I would've been all for Peter parker and Mary jane being able to raise there daughter spider-girl mayday parker alive and kicking in the mainstream marvel universe like they were suppose in the original plan and having ben riley being the new Spider-Man for a new generation could've worked and I was all for that, but sadly as history has shown us that didn't help because god oh mighty the clone saga got dragged to the ground thanks to horrible marketing team who took over the story and messed everything up so much that nobody knew how to end it, and unfortnately the ending that we did get for the clone saga was just mean spirited and just horrible on so many levels that it tanked Spider-Man franchise to the ground until JMS came in and saved it then Quesada and came in and destroyed it again and Spider-Man has never recovered since then, which is just depressing because as a Spider-Man fan I want this character to move forward and stop being treated like garbage at least in my opinion.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 sadly you're not entirely wrong about that especially with editorial being so stupid and really not understanding Spider-Man peter parker as a character like at all anymore and frankly I think these idiots need to realize that they have a younger Spider-Man right there with miles Morales Spider-Man who could be there way out to do younger Spider-Man stories for a new generation and boom problem solved everybody wins.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@sebastianevangelista4921 indeed

[@TevyaSmolka]

Great episode of back issues on Planet of symbiotes which was such a very 90's Spider-Man venom story.

[@thedukeofchutney468]

Some of the best combos: Peanut butter and Jelly Batman and Robin Comic Pop and Spider-Man

[@JoshMunroe]

Never realized until today that the Carnage symbiote works off the same rules as the Staff of One from Runaways.

[@instantbadass]

I love Bill Sinkiewizc's pencils, but his inks over Sal Buscema is definitely ugly as hell. When I tried reading some of the Clone Saga, the Spectacular issues were so tough to read through because of that art.

[@GabrielToribioMonsta]

Thank You so much for covering this. I was wondering if such a big arc was ever referenced again.

[@bensneb360]

The best part of Wednesdays… New Back Issues

[@ftfasttalkfoodreviewsyt]

The symbiote blew sway. Like a turd, in the wind....

[@travis_mitchell]

I’ve read this story like three times, I love it.

[@ridge825]

Damn I love this episode already

[@thebariobro7664]

26:05 Sal predicting Ms. Marvel becoming a mutant 😱😱😱

[@playboicardigan]

Another great episode! Thanks for making our days better!

[@thegloriouswizard5270]

Aw yeah☆ Planet of the Symbiotes☆

[@JLD22591]

Yes! So ready for this episode. Lol

[@architeuthis3476]

I strongly agree with the discussion about how the work of an inker can make a bad penciller's art good and a good penciller's art bad. I never read any X-Force, but did Rob Liefeld have a really good inker and that's why people used to think he was a good artist?

[@judahgregory1030]

I thought for sure y’all had already done this one with as many Venom related books you’ve done that reference this. This should be a treat.

[@christopherpoff4117]

Mega-Carnage: "Don't be part of the problem... ... be the WHOLE ass problem!"

[@Charleshudspeth]

Wish Marvel would make a Carnage story that brought in Plague (Cortland Kasaday) Cletus Cassidy's Great Great Great Grandfather that Knull resurrected in the King In Black event. They bring in this badass character with a very interesting backstory as the first Serial Killer and infect him with a great Symbiote but haven't done anything with him since then.

[@elijahjihaad7554]

We need more stories in current cannon where Peter & Ben have a Brøther relationship I think it’s really cool for Peter to have someone like Ben who can fully understand him and he can talk to , I also like the idea of making him a mutant that would be sooo dope and that sounds like the kinda shock that marvel likes to go for now n dayz

[@fcm3d]

Oh cool I love symbiotes!

[@BeatAces]

The scarlet spider outfit absolutely ISNT better than spider man's but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a lot. And this is coming from someone who only ever saw the source material in the last few years. Like I understand that the scenario of it's creation taints it but mostly seeing it out of context in games and stuff i just vibed with it.

[@thewilhelmscream7912]

I've always liked scarlet spider's costume, but nothing beats the classic red and blue, except maybe black n white :)

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I love Planet of the Symbiotes ! It was tough grabbing it on the newsstands back in the day( cuz Venom anything sold like hotcakes) and even more on the 2ndary market(had bought all the issues for $55 bucks! ). However im thankful for your coverage and that Link! Appreciate it!

[@pbjoey703]

Spider-Man/Venom event LETS GOO

[@BenAndJakeLightsaber]

I am saying that Scarlet Spider’s suit is the best-I LOVE my nostalgia glasses 😊

[@jjh01harmon38]

I want Tiffany's hat so bad

[@andrewheard3099]

I always liked the Scarlet Spider 🕷 costume but the OG spidey is the best! I think I have this story in my Erik Larsen Omnibus 🤘

[@standingroom1236]

Comic pop to the rescue

[@mayorovercorndog9132]

This should have gotten more views. And I should have finished the video when it came out. I always enjoy your guy’s reaction to 90’s spidey comics.

[@Dr.Deagle.]

Read along lol, also I've always like scarlet spider fit, no nostalgia required

[@Ducaso]

Top tier discussion and wrap up at the end there folks! What a silly book and a bizarre conclusion.

[@teamsquidbees]

Yes Ben Scarlet Spider is the best costume

[@ericfigueroa82]

Can you guys do more Nightwing stories

[@thetreeshaker4143]

I would say venom jar jar binks the apple from across the table lol but there will be blood is solid

[@feridradoncic2237]

I remember this comic book when I was a kid

[@derektyler5817]

Not sure if someone mentioned it or not but the Super Specials were the Annuals for that year for the Spider-Man titles. Marvel ended the regular numbering on annuals and did these instead.. For the X Titles they were '95 '96 etc.

[@undeaderick077]

Lets go!

[@deltaprime3509]

I think a symbiotie invasion happens quite alot in the marvel’s earth I think 4 or 5 times

[@TevyaSmolka]

Yup that’s right heck we are getting another symbiote invasion called summer of the symbiotes event

[@Beaze17]

26:13 that would actually be really cool lol.

[@funkyweapon1981]

I forgot about the Mort of the Month.

[@stealthprod29]

I thought Ben Reilly’s hoodie suit was cool… when I was in 5th grade lol. But I grew up.

[@TheMongooliShow]

OMG! I had the first issue of this but the rest of the series never came to my small town. Comics were dodgy here in the 90s. Lol

[@eldiamante1689]

Marvel gotta do a spider-verse v symbiotes project ASAP

[@estrada8025]

Yoooooo new back issues

[@circleofblood]

A Taylor Swift reference in an episode of Back Issues. Now I’ve seen everything 😂

[@pete975]

Is clystron wave modulator not the weapon used by marvin the martian

[@martinbaird1211]

Really missed the boat with a symbiote Thing's- "It's slobbering time!" Battlecry.

[@kevsil616]

Can we talk about how when they're looking at the planet that the symbiotes took over the aliens look like the Xenomorphs