Spider-Man’s tenure with the Venom symbiote is iconic, and this shockingly realistic new cosplay demonstrates why to an extent I can’t quite believe. With the help of some fancy lighting, this cosplay captures both the coolness and inhumanity of the costume at the same time, and demonstrates exactly why the design has had such staying power. In his normal appearances, Venom is a gigantic mass of muscles with terrifying teeth – however, there’s something special about the specific combination of Spider-Man and the symbiote.
Cosplayer Eric Parkhill (@ericxpark) has transformed into the perfect Venom-suit Spider-Man, with a look so slick it’s hard to believe it was photographed in real life. The costume is a close match for Spider-Man’s recent reunion with the Venom symbiote, partnering with the alien once again as part of the Venom War event.
Not only does the cosplay recreate the iconic color scheme and logo of Spider-Man’s black suit, but it also has a gross texture (in the most complimentary way) emulating the gooey symbiote itself. Parkhill’s responsible for the suit itself, except for the maskplate, which is by @maffhewdc. Meanwhile, the digital editing of the photos is by @wens.1998, whose addition of mood lighting in classic Spidey red and blue pushes the piece to the next level.
Eric Parkhill’s cosplay understands the best aspects of the symbiote suit, and leans into it by adding atmospheric details to enhance the suit’s menace, as well as the aforementioned Spidey lighting.
This “Symbiote Spider-Man” Cosplay Is Next Level Realistic
Cosplay By Eric Parkhill (@ericxpark); Build By Parkhill & @maffhewdc; Photo Editing By @wens.1998
Something that the symbiote suit illustrates is just how important color is to our perception of characters; without his red and blue coloration, Spider-Man becomes cold and emotionless in the black suit, right until he becomes terrifying. I’ve always felt that there’s something inhuman about the symbiote does to its hosts’ appearance, even before it sprouts a big ‘ol Venom month full of teeth. Parkhill’s cosplay nails the sense of menace before the symbiote attacks, and leans into it by adding atmospheric details to enhance the suit’s menace, as well as the aforementioned Spidey lighting.
Spider-Man recently re-bonded with the Venom symbiote thanks to the Venom War – a battle between the symbiote’s former host Eddie Brock and new wearer Dylan Brock. Both symbiote heroes have seen visions where the other becomes a cosmic menace if they keep the suit, prompting them to battle for ownership with their respective symbiote allies. Seeing how it’s destroyed the lives of both its favorite hosts, the Venom symbiote left Dylan and returned to the one person it’s sure won’t want to keep it for long – Peter Parker’s Spider-Man. However, rather than just recreating Spider-Man’s original black suit, the new design carries over some elements of Dylan Brock’s redesign as Venom, including chain-like webbing and a logo that extends over the shoulders.
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
The Black Spider-Man Symbiote Suit Continues To Be A Fan-Favorite & A Cosplay Staple
Spider-Man’s Black Suit, First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #252 – Written By Tom DeFalco & Roger Stern, Drawn By Ron Frenz
While Peter’s original tenure with the symbiote suit wasn’t actually all that long by the standards of the day’s comics, its time with him has only gained more significance with every retcon and addition to symbiote lore. There have been so many later miniseries detailing unseen adventures with the symbiote during this time, from adventures with Deadpool and the Fantastic Four to four miniseries by writer Peter David, showing unseen missions by the Symbiote Spider-Man. While I’m personally not a huge fan of miniseries that retcon new adventures for nostalgia’s sake, I still understand that the suit is so cool, of course creators want to create new stories surrounding the look.
Venom has a great design as a hulking alien monstrosity, but Spider-Man’s black suit design is intimidating in unique ways, as its slick, emotionless appearance combines with his insect-like movement and poses. Eric Parkhill’s cosplay nails why fans will always want to return to Spider-Man‘s days wearing the Venom symbiote, embodying the uniquely unsettling combo of these two characters.
Source: @ericxpark
