10 Reboots That Changed Comic Books Forever

Sometimes, a reboot isn't about an entire universe, it can focus on a single character. There have certainly been enough reboots of characters over the years, like the time the Punisher became an avenging angel. That wasn't a great move for Marvel, but changing Venom from the evil symbiote of his past into a superhero was a move the publisher hasn't looked back on with regret.

Venom was attached to Flash Thompson (Spider-Man's biggest fan) after he lost his legs fighting in the War on Terror. The Symbiote not only gave him legs, they boosted him to superhero levels. Initially, he had trouble controlling Venom, but the two eventually bonded into a superhero who would go on to join up with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Agent Venom quickly became a huge seller for Marvel after it premiered in 2011, but the way the character has been interwoven with other superheroes and villains including the Red Hulk, Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, and X-23 (among others) has solidified him within the Marvel Universe.

Agent Venom was a way for Marvel to continue using the Venom symbiote, but move it beyond its origins. The character has evolved considerably and offers the prospect of further change. That's a good recipe for a successful product that could last for decades.