Venom was born in May 1988 in Amazing Spider-Man #300 (Todd McFarlane cover), which trades around a €529 median on eBay (101 active listings, June 2026). This is the symbiote's modern era: the one with real, abundant data. Here are the key issues to know, from the 1988 origins to the recent keys of the Donny Cates run and the Knull era.
Unlike Silver Age heroes, Venom is a recent character: no false scarcity, no fanciful historical figures. His first issue dates to 1988 (Copper Age), and all the key material comes after. That's good news for collectors: values are traceable and the market is liquid.
This guide sticks to verifiable data: real-time eBay medians (via our estimator, limited to Amazing Spider-Man) and documented first-appearance facts. When a figure can't be verified as of today, we say so.
The foundational keys (1988-1992) and their real value
Three Amazing Spider-Man issues carry the entire origin story of the symbiote and its offspring. Values = median of active eBay listings, all editions and grades combined (our estimator, eBay.fr + eBay.com, June 2026):
| Issue | Significance | eBay median |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988) | First full Venom appearance, McFarlane cover | €529 · 101 listings |
| Amazing Spider-Man #316 (1989) | First full Venom cover | €208 · 100 listings |
| Amazing Spider-Man #361 (1992) | First Carnage appearance | €115 · 101 listings |
The price gap mirrors the narrative hierarchy exactly: the first full appearance (#300) leads, followed by the first solo cover (#316), then the birth of Carnage (#361). At a ~€115 median, #361 remains the most affordable way into the symbiote family. Note: the "all grades combined" median for #300 is pulled down by raw copies and lots: the estimator records a top listing of €3,680 and an average of €575, a sign that high-grade CGC copies sit well above the median.
The Donny Cates run (2018): the modern keys
In 2018, Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman relaunched the Venom series (volume 4). This run became the modern benchmark for the character and introduced the key concept of recent years: Knull, the god of the symbiotes.
- Venom (2018) #1: launch of the Cates/Stegman run. A highly sought first issue, but Knull does not appear yet.
- Venom (2018) #3 (August 2018):first full appearance of Knull. This is the true collecting key of the run.
- Venom (2018) #4: Knull introduces himself to Eddie Brock and tells his origin; this is where he is officially named.
These titles aren't indexed by our eBay estimator (limited to Amazing Spider-Man). The figures below therefore come from a third party: per GoCollect, Venom (2018) #3 in CGC 9.8 grade traded around $150 and up, and its third printing (considered Knull's first cover appearance) hit a documented record of $375 on April 28, 2020 (source: GoCollect). These readings date from 2020: check the live value before buying, since prices move.
Knull's "issue zero": Thor: God of Thunder #6
For first-appearance hunters, an earlier issue matters: Thor: God of Thunder #6 (March 2013, Jason Aaron) contains the first (cameo) appearance of Knull: a black-armored figure that stayed unnamed until Venom (2018) #4 identified him retroactively. The issue is also known for the origin of Gorr the God Butcher. Per GoCollect, this issue in CGC 9.8 showed an FMV of roughly $240 (2020 reading) (source: GoCollect).
Collector strategy (grounded in real data)
- #300 as the cornerstone. Maximum liquidity (~100 active listings at all times) and durable demand, regardless of the film schedule. This is THE issue to secure if budget allows.
- #361 (Carnage) as the affordable entry. At a ~€115 median, it's the most accessible key in the lineage.
- Venom (2018) #3 for the modern era. First full appearance of Knull, now central to the films and the comics: a recent key with strong narrative potential.
- Always check condition and value at the time of purchase. The medians are from June 2026 and the GoCollect readings from 2020; use the estimator for live value.
Own a Venom comic? Get a free valuation with our tool based on real eBay sales to find its low, median and high value.
Frequently asked questions
In Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988), the first full appearance of Venom, with a cover by Todd McFarlane. Venom is a recent, Copper Age character: all the key material postdates 1988.
Amazing Spider-Man #300 (first full appearance of Venom), #316 (1989, first full cover of Venom) and #361 (1992, first appearance of Carnage). The price order reflects the narrative hierarchy, and #361 remains the most affordable entry to the symbiote family.
Knull is the god of the symbiotes introduced by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman. Venom (2018) #3 (August 2018) contains his first full appearance, and #4 names him officially. Thor: God of Thunder #6 (March 2013) contains an earlier cameo, which stayed anonymous.
This March 2013 issue, by Jason Aaron, contains the first appearance, as a cameo, of a figure in black armor retroactively identified as Knull by Venom (2018) #4. It is also known for the origin of Gorr the God Butcher.
Secure Amazing Spider-Man #300 as the cornerstone, with maximum liquidity, take #361 as the affordable entry, add Venom (2018) #3 for the modern era, and always check condition and market value at the time of purchase.