Palatinus' OverPower Forum

Everyone is familiar with the symbiote suit known as Venom.  What those of you who aren't following the comics may not know, is that Flash Thompson (you remember flash, don't you?  Peter Parker's old friend from school?) now wears the venom suit alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers as the super-charged mercenary hero, Agent Venom.

So here's the question - is Agent Venom a clone or a variant?

By definition, I'm inclined to think that he's a variant, in that the two characters (Eddie Brock as Venom and Agent Venom) don't/can't/couldn't exist simultaneously in the same universe.  While Dark Beast is Hank McCoy, he traveled trans-universally to get here and coexist with Beast...right?

I sort of think I answered my own question, but I'd love to hear your thoughts...If he's a clone, is he so different from Venom that he should be his own hero?

There are 2 ways to achieve the effect you describe.  It all depends on your character name.
Naming him "Agent Venom", you could add an IA (besides playing whatever Venom cards you want), that he can't be teamed with Venom (or Venom: Mac Gargan).
Or you can name him "Venom: Agent Venom" or "Venom: Flash Thompson", which would prevent using him with any Venom version without the IA.
Either way gives an opportunity to add Specials applicable just to this Venom version if one desires.

Thanks, man.

My question was more specifically just looking for people's input on whether he should be a clone or a variant or neither...

I'm also looking at cutting down my set, anyway, so i may not even need him...

both venoms can be on the same team i think
much like beta ray bill and thor (exspensive as it is)

I think he's looking at time line.  Venom "took up residence" in Eddie Brock, then Mac Gargan, then Flash Thompson.  By time line, the three should not be able to be played together (unless a home base allows use of clones/variants).

agreed, all this happened on earth 616 during the same time line.

wasnt venom actually black costume spider-man first?

Yes.  Legacy "covered" that with Spiderman: Symbiotic Costume, but they gave him no "Venom" abilities because at that time the Symbiote wasn't know as Venom yet (I think).  He only uses Spidey specials, and can be teamed with Venom.  For homemades someone made (a long time back) a Spiderman: Alien Costume with an IA of May place & play any Spider man or Venom non-OPD specials.  Not necessarily a satisfying solution to me, but all opinions are valid (unless they're way too stupid).