{"product_id":"what-if-dark-venom-1-2023","title":"What If...? Dark: Venom # 1 2023 NM-","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat If...? Dark: Venom # 1\u003c\/b\u003e (2023) is a one-shot comic from Marvel Comics released on August 2, 2023. Part of the \"What If...? Dark\" series, it explores a grim alternate reality where a classic story takes a tragic turn: \"What if Ben Grimm became Venom?\". \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eCreative Team\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eWriter: Stephanie Phillips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eArtist: Jethro Morales\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eColorist: Israel Silva\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eLetterer: Joe Sabino \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eStory \u0026amp; Plot Details\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe issue merges two key post-Secret Wars moments: the Thing's return from Battleworld and the symbiote's captivity at the Baxter Building. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThe Transformation: After returning to Earth, Ben Grimm discovers the symbiote trapped in Reed Richards' lab. The alien preys on Ben’s long-standing insecurities about his appearance and his hidden resentment toward Reed for his transformation into the Thing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThe Lizard's Role: The Lizard (Curt Connors) appears as a secondary antagonist. Feeling similar anger at being a \"monster,\" he manipulates Ben into giving him the symbiote.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eA Dark Turn: The situation turns brutal when the Venomized Lizard attacks the Fantastic Four, resulting in the deaths of Reed Richards and Sue Storm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThe Outcome: Ben eventually reclaims the symbiote and kills the Lizard, ultimately embracing his new identity as a monstrous version of Venom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BattleBuddyComics.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48084530856036,"sku":"BR413","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/7606\/4868\/files\/IMG_2026_03_22_15_08_49_350.jpg?v=1774210371","url":"https:\/\/battlebuddycomics.com\/products\/what-if-dark-venom-1-2023","provider":"BattleBuddyComics.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}