Venom is one of Spider-Man’s most famous villains, originating as an alien symbiote that bonds with Peter Parker before later joining with Eddie Brock. With Venom’s popularity, many fans have wondered if he ever joins Spider-Man’s most dangerous foes, the Sinister Six.
Quick answer
In the main Marvel comics continuity, Venom has never been an official member of the Sinister Six. However, he has occasionally worked alongside the group towards shared goals and fought alongside its members.
Venom’s origins
Venom first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 in 1984. The alien symbiote that would become Venom was found by Spider-Man on the Beyonder’s Battleworld during the original Secret Wars event. Spider-Man initially thought the black suit was simply a costume change, but soon realized it was a sentient alien trying to permanently bond with him.
When Spider-Man rejected the symbiote, it joined with fellow rival Eddie Brock, who hated Spider-Man. Bonded to Brock, the symbiote took on the name Venom. Venom became one of Spider-Man’s most formidable foes with abilities like spider-powers, shapeshifting, and knowing Peter Parker’s secret identity.
What is the Sinister Six?
The Sinister Six are a villain team who first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 in 1964. Their original lineup consisted of Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, and Sandman. With Doc Ock as their leader, they aimed to defeat Spider-Man once and for all by combining forces.
Since then, the Sinister Six has had many different members and iterations over the years. Their ranks have included villains like Hobgoblin, Lizard, Rhino, and Scorpion. But their primary goal has remained destroying Spider-Man.
Has Venom ever joined the Sinister Six?
In the main 616 universe of Marvel comics, Venom has never officially joined the Sinister Six. However, he has had close ties with the group at certain points.
For example, in Spider-Man #18-23 in 1991, Venom proposes an alliance with the then-current Sinister Six lineup of Doctor Octopus, Electro, Mysterio, Hobgoblin, Sandman, and Vulture. Venom suggests combining forces so the villains can defeat Spider-Man once and for all. But Doctor Octopus rejects the idea, not trusting the volatile Venom to work with the group.
During the Ends of the Earth storyline in 2012’s Amazing Spider-Man #682-687, Venom fights alongside the Sinister Six when Doctor Octopus assembles them to help him deploy his Earth-threatening satellites. But Venom makes it clear he is only working with them to stop Doc Ock’s plan, not because he is part of the Sinister Six.
Why isn’t Venom an official member?
There are a few key reasons why Venom has never been made an official member of the Sinister Six in the comics:
- He is a loner by nature who prefers working solo.
- His violent and unstable personality makes him difficult to control or cooperate with.
- He possesses his own specific grudge against Spider-Man beyond the Sinister Six’s shared hatred.
- His general motives and modus operandi differ from the group.
Essentially, while Venom has sometimes allied with the Sinister Six, he prefers operating on his own terms. The other villains also recognize it would be hard to keep Venom in check as part of their team. So Venom has remained an independent wildcard in the Spider-Man rogues gallery.
Has Venom been on other supervillain teams?
Though not an official member of the Sinister Six, Venom has been part of other supervillain teams in the comics.
The Thunderbolts
After Eddie Brock auctioned off the Venom symbiote, it briefly joined the Thunderbolts during the Civil War storyline along with other villains like Green Goblin, Songbird, and Bullseye. However, the symbiote was only with the Thunderbolts for a short time before returning to Brock.
Savage Six
In Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, a video game taking place in alternate universes, Venom joined a twisted version of the Sinister Six called the Savage Six. This team also included alternate versions of Sandman, Kraven, Electro, Vulture, and Hobgoblin.
The Legion of Losers
In the Great Lakes Avengers Misassembled story, Venom was briefly part of a group dubbed the Legion of Losers alongside Marvel villains like MODOK, Hippo, Spot, and Paste-Pot Pete.
Has Venom joined the Sinister Six in other media?
While not an official member in the comics, Venom has been depicted as part of the Sinister Six in some non-comic media based on Marvel properties.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series
In the 1990s Spider-Man animated series, Venom was inducted into the Sinister Six alongside Doctor Octopus, Shocker, Mysterio, Rhino, and Scorpion. This version of the Sinister Six with Venom appeared in multiple episodes.
Ultimate Spider-Man
In the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, Agent Venom flashbacks confirm that Eddie Brock’s original Venom symbiote briefly joined the Sinister Six lineup led by Doctor Octopus. Venom fought alongside them against Spider-Man but did not stay with the group for long.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
In the Lego Marvel Super Heroes videogame, players can unlock Venom as a playable character once they defeat him as a boss alongside the other members of the Sinister Six.
Could Venom join the Sinister Six in the MCU?
With Venom and other Spider-Man characters entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe through movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans have speculated whether Venom might join a version of the Sinister Six in future live-action projects.
An MCU Sinister Six seems likely considering characters like Vulture, Mysterio, Scorpion, and Shocker have already been introduced. Now that Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote also exist in the MCU, Venom could join their ranks down the road.
However, Venom may stay a lone wolf given his succesful solo films so far detached from the MCU. Ultimately, whether Venom joins the Sinister Six on screen remains to be seen and depends on future story plans.
Conclusion
While often aligned with their goals, Venom has never been an official member of the Sinister Six in the comics. His unstable nature makes him better suited to operating solo. However, alternate versions like animated series and games have included Venom as part of the Sinister Six. With Venom now in the MCU, fans will have to wait and see if he ever joins the team in future live-action projects.
