Investigative journalist Eddie Brock closing in on a major exposé involving the criminal Shocker, only to have his story collapse when Spider-Man captures the villain before Eddie can publish. Publicly discredited and consumed by resentment, Eddie blames Spider-Man for ruining his career. Soon after, at Oscorp, a classified experiment involving a mysterious symbiote goes wrong, allowing the organism to escape containment and seek out a host driven by rage. Drawn to Eddie’s hatred, the symbiote bonds with him, transforming him into the lethal and intelligent Venom.
Meanwhile, Peter Parker balances college life with his responsibilities as Spider-Man, growing increasingly isolated while attempting to maintain friendships with Ned Leeds and Harry Osborn. As Venom begins terrorizing New York, Spiderman saves aspiring actress Mary Jane Watson, who he later runs into on University Campus and befriends. In the final confrontation, Spider-Man defeats Venom and attempts to reason with Eddie, acknowledging his own role in creating Venom and offering him a chance at redemption. Eddie hesitates—but the symbiote overwhelms him, and Venom escapes into the city.
