Most Marvel Comics fans know that before the Venom symbiote found a host in Eddie Brock, it was worn for a time by Spider-Man, who discovered the black suit during Secret Wars. But believe it or not, Spider-Man wasn’t the first to wear the symbiote, either - that honor actually belongs to Deadpool.
Secret Wars by Jim Shooter is one of brand-new black suit that seemingly enhances his powers. In addition, the new suit gives Spidey an unlimited supply of stronger, organic webs, meaning he is no longer at risk of running out of fluid for his web shooters. Spider-Man decides to keep the suit even after the Secret Wars come to an end, but the suit eventually starts messing with his head, making him more aggressive. After realizing the suit is a living symbiote, Spider-Man tries to get rid of it, but it eventually falls into the hands of Eddie Brock, who subsequently becomes Venom.
There were many superheroes involved in Secret Wars - including the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and Spider-Man - but Deadpool was not one of them, largely because the Merc with a Mouth wouldn’t make his debut in Marvel Comics until the ‘90s. However, the series Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars by Cullen Bunn would rectify the Merc's absence. This limited series published in 2015 is essentially a retelling of Secret Wars from the perspective of Deadpool, who insists that his of the event is the more accurate version. As it turns out, Wade was instrumental in helping the heroes win the war, but that’s not all he had a hand in.
In Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars #3, Thor and Hulk direct Wade to a machine that can create him a new costume. Deadpool uses the device and suddenly finds himself clad in the Venom symbiote, which creates a black-and-white version of Deadpool’s costume that even he its is pretty cool-looking. At first, Deadpool seems to really enjoy wearing the symbiote since it can take virtually any form, making the customization options for his costume limitless. However, Deadpool quickly realizes that the suit is not what it seems. “I can feel it…like a living thing feeding on my own thoughts,” Deadpool says, “and that’s just not fair to do to a sentient life-form.” Deadpool promptly takes the symbyote off, saying, "I hope communicating with my brain doesn’t mess this thing up! Whatever it is…I’d hate to think my twisted psyche might have driven it nuts or something!” Too little, too late.
The reason Venom has very similar abilities to Spider-Man is because the symbiote copied all of Spidey’s abilities. Similarly, it seems Wade wore the suit just long enough for it to copy his “twisted psyche,” which would explain why the suit makes all its hosts after Deadpool more aggressive. In short, Deadpool is seemingly indirectly responsible for creating Venom - or at least, for making him crazy and violent. Thanks a lot, Wade.
