Eddie Brock finds himself without a symbiote, as Queen in Black begins

Marvel’s first big event of 2026 is almost here with Queen in Black. But when it dawns, Eddie Brock will be in a low place indeed.

Venomless Eddie Brock

Most longtime Spider-Man fans probably best know Eddie Brock as Venom. The character has a complex past, and that’s putting it mildly, as he’s been both arch-villain and anti-hero.

Venom began his existence as a villain of course, before morphing into a fairly psychotic anti-hero, and finally a more traditional one. The last few years have been a rough time for him though. Venom has headlined massive events and, most recently, Eddie himself was bonded to Carnage.

Speaking of events too, there’s a new mega-event heading to the pages of Marvel comics. Queen in Black will star none other than Hela, who’s taken Knull’s throne and now commands a massive army. Not that the former King is done, as Knull will be going head-to-head with the Asgardian. And guess what’s caught in the middle of all of that? Yep, that’d be Earth.

Since that’s where the aforementioned Eddie Brock resides, you might think that he’ll be at the frontlines of that oncoming fight. However, there’s a problem with that assumption. Eddie is, well, just plain old Eddie. For the first time in a while, he finds himself with no symbiote-suit.

He’s split from Carnage, and Venom has bonded to Mary Jane Watson. So what’s a host to do? Well, whatever it is, he’s got to break out of prison first. And that tale will begin in Queen In Black: Venom Unchained #1.

This week in Venom #256 by Al Ewing and Carlos Gomez, part of the Amazing Spider-Man/Venom “Death Spiral” crossover, Carnage discarded Eddie Brock for a better match—TORMENT! The development marks the end of Eddie’s time as host of the murderous symbiote, but he’s only just started paying the consequences! Before joining Marvel’s heroes to save the world from being torn asunder by the forces of Light and Dark, Eddie must first break out of prison and perhaps find a new symbiote to claim…

EDDIE BROCK: IMPRISONED! 

Eddie Brock is in prison after a failed bond with Carnage, and the Queen In Black is coming!!! Eddie wants to get back to Venom. But without a symbiote, how will he escape?!

On continuing Eddie Brock’s saga, Soule said, “When I agreed to write a new chapter in Eddie Brock’s ongoing story a few years back via Eddie Brock: Carnage, I had no idea it would end up continuing through all these dark little paths. From Carnage to Death Spiral and now to VENOM: UNCHAINED, I’ve found there’s a lot to explore with Mr. Brock and his relationships with various symbiotes. Very glad to spend this time with Eddie – he’s a fascinating guy.”

Marvel press release

Find out what Eddie Brock has planned, as Queen in Black rolls on in Queen In Black: Venom Unchained #1 (Of 3). The issue arrives in stores on July 15th, 2026.