In Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Detective Patrick Mulligan, played by Stephen Graham, experiences a significant change. During the movie’s final act, he gets infected by the leftover symbiote from Carnage, portrayed by Woody Harrelson.
This detail is crucial for longtime Marvel fans who may recognize the connection to Toxin, another character in the comic books.
With Venom: The Last Dance set to release soon, and trailers hinting at Mulligan’s future, this is the perfect time to look closely at Toxin’s comic book history. Toxin first appeared in the early 2000s, and it seems likely he will be around for a long time after Venom’s third movie.
Toxin’s Birth in Marvel Comics
The character of Toxin was introduced to Marvel readers in 2004. This introduction happened when Carnage, a well-known villain in the Marvel universe, realized something shocking: he was pregnant.
In the symbiote world, which are sometimes called Klyntar (the name of their home planet), the creatures reproduce asexually. Just as Carnage is the child of Venom, Toxin is the child of Carnage. This makes Toxin the 1,000th symbiote in their unique “bloodline.”
In the Venom vs. Carnage limited series, Venom explains to readers that Carnage is terrified of Toxin. He fears that Toxin may be more powerful than he is.
Because of this fear, Carnage wants to kill Toxin. However, Venom has different plans. He wishes to “raise” Toxin as his new sidekick.
Unfortunately, things do not go smoothly. Patrick Mulligan, a New York police officer, gets in the way of Carnage’s plan. To keep Toxin away from Venom, Carnage forces the symbiote onto Mulligan.
Over time, Spider-Man helps Mulligan learn to control the Toxin symbiote. Mulligan has to make significant changes in his life because of this new reality. He leaves his job and family behind to figure out how to live with the symbiote inside him.
Toxin and Mulligan’s Struggles
In the 2005 Toxin miniseries, we follow Mulligan as he learns to work with Toxin. They begin to understand each other and team up to fight evil. Mulligan allows the symbiote to have two hours of “playtime” each night.
However, during this time, Toxin is not allowed to hurt anyone or commit any crimes. Mulligan struggles with his new life. There is a point when he even tries to commit suicide to escape the burden of having Toxin inside him.
Despite these challenges, Mulligan eventually accepts his role as Toxin’s host. This acceptance comes when he captures a man who killed his father.
After this moment, Mulligan tells Spider-Man that if he ever crosses the line and kills someone, Spider-Man should throw him in prison and forget about him. This statement shows Mulligan’s understanding of the danger he faces with the Toxin symbiote.
Later on, Mulligan returns home to his family. He reveals the truth about Toxin to them, hoping to heal the pain caused by his earlier decisions.
Mulligan’s family learns to accept him and Toxin. Things seem to be getting better for Mulligan and his family until tragedy strikes in 2011. At this point, Mulligan meets a terrible fate.
Tragedy Strikes: Mulligan’s Death
In Venom (Vol. 2), readers discover that Mulligan has been murdered. The Toxin symbiote is taken from him by a villain named Blackheart, who is known for being a foe of the Ghost Rider. Blackheart takes the symbiote to create his army of Symbiote Warriors, which also includes clones of X-23. Even though these creatures are eventually defeated, it comes at the cost of Mulligan’s life.
After Mulligan’s death, the Toxin symbiote bonds with Eddie Brock, who was the original host of the Venom symbiote. At this point, Brock has been rejected by Venom, who has found a new partner in Flash Thompson, a U.S. military agent known as Agent Venom. Brock and Toxin then plot to kill Venom. They work together on this plan until Thompson manages to convince Brock to abandon his violent thoughts.
In the Carnage (Vol. 2) series, Brock, as Toxin, begins to adopt the role of a hero. He becomes what is known as a “Lethal Protector.”
However, this heroic journey does not last long. Toxin sacrifices himself during a battle against a powerful demon named Chthon in issue #16 of the series. This sacrifice marks a significant moment in Toxin’s story, showcasing his growth from a confused character to a selfless hero.
Toxin’s Return to the Marvel Universe
The next major chapter for Toxin comes a few years later during the King in Black storyline. This arc features Knull, a major figure in the symbiote lore. At this time, many people, including Brock and the readers, thought Toxin had been destroyed. However, it turns out that the Toxin symbiote was left weak but alive.
After a long period of trying to regain its strength, Toxin bonds with a teenage boy named Bren Waters. This bonding occurs in King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes #3.
When Bren transforms into Toxin, he takes on an adult appearance similar to how Toxin looked when bonded with Mulligan and Brock. Together, Bren and Toxin work to battle evil during the Extreme Carnage storyline.
They also team up with other symbiote heroes, such as Flash Thompson, who now goes by Agent Anti-Venom, Andi Benton, known as Silence, and Eddie Brock, who has since rejoined with Venom.
Throughout these adventures, Toxin appears to feel most comfortable with Bren compared to his previous hosts, Mulligan or Brock. Each of his hosts has found a way to accept the symbiote, but Bren and Toxin seem to have a special bond. Toxin becomes a part of Bren’s life, and they face the challenges of being a symbiote hero together.
Toxin’s Last Known Appearance
Toxin’s last appearance to date is in Venom (Vol. 5) #28. In this issue, Toxin saves Bren’s life. However, after this act of heroism, Toxin becomes dormant and unresponsive within him. This condition leaves readers wondering about the future of Toxin in the Marvel universe.
Toxin’s journey from being the child of Carnage to a potential hero alongside Bren Waters shows the growth and evolution of symbiotes in the Marvel comics. His story touches on themes of acceptance, struggle, and redemption.
Mulligan’s character faced immense challenges as he tried to manage life with the Toxin symbiote. He had to learn to balance his responsibilities as a father and a police officer while dealing with the dangers that came from having a powerful creature inside him.
Looking Ahead: Toxin’s Future
As Marvel fans await the release of Venom: The Last Dance, there is excitement surrounding Toxin’s future in the cinematic universe. Will Mulligan return? What role will Bren play in the upcoming story? The trailers hint at more action and drama for these characters, leading to many questions about how Toxin will fit into this narrative.
Fans of the comics will remember Toxin as a character with deep ties to Carnage and Venom. His history shows a complicated web of relationships and conflicts that make his story rich and engaging. Whether he is a hero or a tragic figure, Toxin represents the complexity of symbiotes in the Marvel world.
As we look forward to more stories featuring Toxin, it’s clear that this character has made a significant impact in the comic book universe. His journey reflects the themes of identity and transformation, making him a compelling figure for both readers and viewers alike.
Toxin’s Legacy in Comics
Toxin’s legacy in the Marvel universe continues to grow. His character has shown resilience, strength, and the ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
With the possibility of new stories and developments on the horizon, fans can be sure that Toxin will play an important role in the future of the Marvel cinematic universe.
As the story unfolds, audiences will be eager to see how Toxin’s character evolves and how he fits into the larger narrative of the Venom franchise.
As we watch the latest films and read the comic books, Toxin stands as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of heroes and villains in the Marvel universe.
His journey from the offspring of Carnage to a character with his own story is a testament to the depth and creativity present in comic book storytelling.
