Edward "Eddie" Charles Allan Brock is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, making a cameo appearance in Web of Spider-Man #18, before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 as the most well-known host of the Venom symbiote. The character has since appeared in many Marvel Comics publications, including Venom. He has endured as one of Spider-Man's most prominent villains, and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. He later evolved into an antihero, slowly distancing himself from his initial goal to ruin Spider-Man's life to instead do good, even occasionally allying with Spider-Man.
Eddie Brock as Venom in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988) Art by Todd McFarlane
Eddie Brock's first appearance as Anti-Venom. Art by John Romita Jr.
Todd McFarlane is a Canadian comic book creator, best known for his work as the artist on The Amazing Spider-Man and as the creator, writer, and artist on the superhero horror-fantasy series Spawn, as well as being the current President and a co-founder of Image Comics.
McFarlane at the 2017 New York Comic Con
Prototype version of the character Spawn, which McFarlane drew in his teens
McFarlane's cover for DC's Batman No. 423 (Sept 1988)
McFarlane's cover for Marvel's Spider-Man No. 1 (August 1990)