Publisher Marvel Comics Partnerships Killmonger Fictional universe Marvel Universe | Alter ego Horatio Walters Species Human Partnership Erik Killmonger | |
Created by Don McGregor (writer)
Rich Buckler (artist) First appearance Jungle Action #6 (Sep 1973) Creators Don McGregor, Rich Buckler Similar Erik Killmonger, Achebe, Malice, Kiber the Cruel, Windeagle | ||
Venomm is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. This character is distinct from the Venom Symbiote.
Contents
Publication history
Venomm first appeared in Jungle Action #6 and was created by Don McGregor and Rich Buckler.
Fictional character biography
Horatio Walter grew up a loner. As a cruel prank, Bruce Morgan threw a vial of acid in Horatio's face causing it to look like a zombie's face. Having become a recluse, Horatio befriended some snakes which were shunned like he was. While studying them working with them, Horatio developed an immunity to their venom. While taking some night classes, Horatio was saved by Erik Killmonger who recruited him in his plans to invade Wakanda.
When stowing away on a plane sent from Wakanda, Venomm made his way to the Wakandan Vibranium mines to attack the Black Panther. However, the Black Panther beat Venomm into submission. Within the Wakandan prison, a man named Taku tried to establish a friendship with Venomm, but Venomm just distracted Taku so that Malice could free him. The Black Panther returned and drove off Malice, while W'Kabi choked Venomm into submission and was then reimprisoned. Taku continued to try to reach Venomm, but when W'Kabi attempted to interrogate Venomm, Venomm took attacked both of them and escaped. Venomm returned to his snakepit, and the Black Panther followed him there. Venomm sent a small army of constrictors and poisonous snakes against him, but Taku had followed the Black Panther, and when Venomm was unable to allow Taku to be harmed he surrendered to the Black Panther. When Killmonger assaulted Central Wakanda, Venomm was able to escape the prison again. Having grown disenchanted with the insurrection, he stopped King Kadaver's physic assault on Taku, and got Kadaver killed by one of his own dinosaurs. In the aftermath of the battle, based on the recommendation of Taku, Venomm was pardoned of his crimes and released.
Venomm later lived in the Wakandan Palace alongside Taku. A CIA agent had secretly embedded a transmitter under the skin of Venomm's giant pet python Matilda, causing the Black Panther to initially think that Venomm was a spy in their midst, but when he learned the truth the Black Panther remived the transmitter from her head. Venomm maintained a position of trust within the Wakandan Palace, where be befriended Nick Collins, the son of Michael Collins. Under the command of their king, the Black Panther, all of Wakanda marched onto the land of the Jabari to punish the Man-Ape for murdering a doppelganger version of the Black Panther. Venomm was at the front lines in the midst of the army and tribal warriors, and battled Jabari tribesmen during the conflict.
He briefly reappeared as one of the villains summoned by Sin to battle Earth's heroes. He joined the DOA's battle against the Avengers and other heroes at the DOA's HQ in South Carolina, but was knocked unconscious by Iron Fist.
Powers and abilities
Venomm can control the behavior of snakes through training, chemicals, and apparently some form of psionic influence. Venomm has built up within himself an immunity to all but the most poisonous snake venom. Venomm's face was scarred by acid so that it looks corpse-like.