Venom Officially Returns To A Tom Hardy-Approved Era

Published Oct 14, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments. Tom Hardy excelled in his dual role as Eddie Brock and Venom, and fans quickly came to love his portrayal. Thus, many were disappointed when Sony announced in May 2024 that Venom: The Last Dance would be the final movie in Hardy's Venom trilogy. However, while the Tom Hardy era has ended, a new Venom era launched today, and it undoubtedly carries the actor's stamp of approval. Long-time Venom fans know that while Eddie Brock and Venom are the most iconic human-symbiote duo in the Marvel Universe, Eddie hasn’t been the only host to take on the Venom mantle. In fact, the legendary duo has been separated for approximately five years in Marvel’s main comic-book continuity. Eddie and Venom’s separation took place during the events surrounding Marvel’s King in Black storyline, resulting in characters such as Dylan Brock, Eddie’s son, and Mary Jane Watson taking on the Venom mantle while Eddie and the symbiote were apart. Tom Hardy, of course, portrayed the classic version of Venom, with Eddie serving as the symbiote’s host. This is particularly notable given that for much of Hardy’s time portraying the character, Eddie wasn’t even Venom’s host in the comics. However, after five long years, Marvel has finally reunited Eddie and Venom, bringing the iconic duo back together for what promises to be a true return to form in writer Charles Soule, artist Tommaso Bianchi, and colorist Yen Nitro’s new Venom series. Venom & Eddie Brock's Return To The Marvel Universe, Explained 1:25 Nick Bradshaw Variant for Venom #1 (2026) This past summer, Marvel announced it would bring Venom and Eddie back together after years apart. Now, the comic publisher has delivered on this promise with the release of Venom #1. Without giving too much away, this issue sees Eddie and Venom reunite, though it isn't all rainbows and roses, since some of Marvel's other heroes aren't exactly keen on seeing them back together. Eddie Brock and Venom are reunited — and it feels so good! After years apart, once again THEY ARE VENOM, and Eddie is not going to let this opportunity go to waste. He is determined to be the ultimate host for the symbiote and be the hero he knows he can be... and he’s not going to let any other superheroes say otherwise! To sum up this issue, Eddie and Venom get reacquainted while giving the middle finger to everyone who doubts their reunion. The duo is determined to make the most of their second chance by proving they can be heroes by serving New York. Beyond this epic return to the status quo, the series introduces new elements that breathe fresh life into the familiar dynamic. Bianchi's art is also epic, capturing the feel of the fan-favorite art style that defined many of Venom's early 2000s stories. While only one issue is out so far, the series is off to a promising start. Those who want to pick up the comic can find it at local comic shops or online for $4.99. Tom Hardy Would Love Venom's New Marvel Comics Era Main Cover by Davide Paratore for Venom #1 (2026) We suspect this new chapter will earn Hardy’s approval, since it finally brings Eddie Brock and Venom back together, AKA the version Hardy himself portrayed. Hardy has been extremely vocal about his love for the character, even outright saying, “...I love Venom and I had a great time doing that…” in an interview with ComicBook. Hence, who wouldn’t love to see the version of the character they portrayed return to canon? Tom Hardy has also discussed the Venom comics and their influence on his portrayal, showing his respect for the source material that inspired his movies. Perhaps his most notable comments about the comics and their influence on his portrayal came in a 2018 Esquire interview, where he admitted he didn’t know much about the character when he first read the script. As a result, he turned to the most informed expert he knew: his comic-book-loving son. Hardy is specifically quoted as saying, “So I spoke to the only person I could really trust in this environment: my older boy. [He] was a huge influence on me doing the role.” So, while Hardy may not have started out as a Venom fan, it’s clear that his time playing the antihero, along with his son’s influence, helped cultivate a respect and love for the character. Hence, Marvel’s return to an Eddie Brock and Venom era would undoubtedly earn Tom Hardy’s (and his son's) stamp of approval. Tom Hardy Answers Whether He Would Return To Venom 4 John Romita Jr. Variant for Venom #1 (2026) While Hardy’s Venom trilogy ended two years ago, that doesn’t mean the franchise or his portrayal is permanently off the table, especially since Hardy has been vocal about his willingness to reprise the role. In ComicBook.com’s 2025 interview with Hardy, the actor was asked if a Spider-Man crossover was the only thing that could convince him to play Venom again. Hardy replied emphatically, “No, no, I love Venom and I had a great time doing that, so no, no.” While the above is far from a lukewarm response, Hardy made his love for the character even clearer during a panel at New York Comic Con in 2024, where he was quoted as saying, “I've absolutely loved playing Eddie and Venom...It's been one of the best things I've ever done in my life, so it'll be sad to see him go.” Some fans may be surprised that Hardy considers playing Venom one of the best things he’s ever done in his life, especially when the actor has so many iconic roles under his belt, such as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Max Rockatansky in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders (2014–2022), and more. However, fans should also consider Hardy’s comments about his son. The fact that his son helped introduce him to the character and inspired him to accept the role likely plays a major part in the actor’s enthusiasm for Venom. After all, few joys in life compare to seeing your own child’s enthusiasm for something. Hence, Hardy’s son’s excitement likely contributes significantly to the actor’s own affection for the role, which helps explain his enthusiasm when discussing his portrayal and his willingness to reprise Venom. Venom #1 from Marvel Comics is now available to read!