When Venom is mentioned, in relation to Spiderman, most people think of it as Eddie Brock, rival of Peter Parker. But you would be greatly mistaken if you said today that Eddie was Venom. To catch people up to speed with limited spoilers; Venom (Eddie Brock) went into hiding after witnessing the loss of a love one. After not using the suit when he went under the radar, the symbiote ate at his blood cells, giving Eddie cancer. Eddie, now fed up with the suit, sold it on the black market to the highest bidder. That bidder being a certain Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin. Osborn gave the suit to Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, making him the new Venom. Tis happened in 2005. So for the past 6 years Venom has been the Scorpion. After the latest cross-over in the Marvel universe, the Venom Symbiote was ripped off Gragan by Spiderman and Ms. Marvel and tossed aside. The government, shortly after, nabbed the symbiote and took it under their care.
Flash Thompson, long time friend to Peter Parker and crippled war vet, is now the new Venom. The military thought it would be a good idea to use the Venom suit as a weapon. They found the suit could be controlled if only used in small doses. So being a reliable vet and someone they can test the full potential of the regeneration. they chose Flash Thompson. But this means Venom is working for the government. And can Venom really be controlled? Osborn had Mac Gargan on dozens of meds and he even lost control on numerous occasions.
The new venom series starts in March so I'll just have to wait and see until then. On the look aspect, the non Venomed-out suit looks very good. And full Venom looks like, well, Venom. Which I love no matter who its on.