Venom Lore's 6 New Colors of Symbiote Explained. All Unique Powers and Origins
By Published May 12, 2026, 11:01 AM EDT Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.
Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.
Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno. follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
The symbiote lore surrounding Marvel's just underwent a major revamp, with new color-coded 'Symbiote Legions' who are about to be a big deal as Marvel heads into .
Here's everything you need to know about the new legions, as well as the latest upgrade to Venom, who'll be pivotal in protecting Earth as part of Marvel's new Symbiote Alliance team.
We're covering the designs and unique powers of each new type of symbiote, as well as which heroes are likely to face them in the Queen in Black event and its spin-offs.
Hela's Symbiote Legions Explained
In the recent Venom War, Eddie Brock was cut off from the galactic symbiote hive. That officially ended his reign as the King in Black, reverting the title and powers back to Knull, the original creator of all symbiotes.
Or... that's what should have happened. Instead, Knull found himself imprisoned by Hela, the Asgardian goddess of death. While Knull escaped and set out to gain light-based powers, Hela conquered various planets, swelling her ranks until her powers equaled Knull at his prime. Now, Al Ewing, Iban Coello, GURU-eFX and Clayton Cowles' 'Queen in Black' preview from Amazing Spider-Man 1000/Queen in Black CGD 2026 #1 reveals her army.
Crucially, Hela is working with Tyr, the Asgardian god of war, to make her symbiote legions more effective than ever before. As part of that plan, Hela has recruited members of various alien species, turning them into color-coded symbiote legions with specific power sets and special abilities.
Queen in Black will see Hela's symbiote legions take on , with Earth as their battleground. Marvel's heroes will be caught in the middle, as color-coded symbiote legions stage an invasion all across the planet.
Venom #205 implied that the aliens in Hela's legions are all willing allies, though it's unclear if that remains true or whether it was simply the first stage of her takeover.
Symbiote Legion Red - Chitauri Symbiotes
Made famous by the MCU, the insectoid Chitauri are Venom lore's new Symbiote Legion Red. Their greatest strength is in numbers, making them effective ground troops, though the comic lists their specialty as "communication and co-ordination."
Their symbiote forms are shown with red markings, forming sharp armor and bladed gauntlets alongside the traditional fangs and sharp teeth. Chitauri already traditionally take their orders from a centralized 'Queen' - a fact which allows them to act as an incredibly well-coordinated army, but also means they can usually be taken out by defeating their designated leader.
Area of Attack: Symbiote Legion Red are currently attacking the UK, making it likely they'll face off with MI13, the Black Knight or some version of the X-Men's Excalibur spin-off team.
Symbiote Legion Orange - Mentelleronite Symbiotes
The new Symbiote Legion Orange are Mentelleronites - rocky giants with a high intelligence levels. Hela values them most for their potential to cause "mass destruction," suggesting they're considered as the heavies of her symbiote army. In symbiote form, they're shown to have a shark-like facial structure.
Marvel's most famous Mentelleronite is Orrgo, who debuted in 1961, shortly before the introduction of the Fantastic Four. Orrgo has powerful mental abilities including telekinesis and hypnosis, though it's unclear whether these are unique abilities or whether other Mentelleronites possess them.
The Mentelleronites have been relatively little-explored in Marvel lore, but they do have a history of conquering other planets, initially sending Orrgo to Earth to quell any resistance.
Area of Attack: Symbiote Legion Orange are attacking Japan, making it likely that they'll face off against Big Hero 6 or the Agents of Atlas.
Symbiote Legion Green - Rigellian Symbiotes
Hela's Symbiote Legion Green are the Rigellian symbiotes. In Marvel lore, the Rigellians are a genius alien civilization with powerful psionic abilities and genius intellects.
Hela is using them for their technological expertise, however there's also a sinister reference to their "terraforming" abilities, suggesting they may be focused on transforming Earth into a new symbiote homeworld.
Rigellian symbiotes are shown manning Hela's space fleet in droves, suggesting that they're directly in control of the armada. Alongside specialized symbiote legions, this is an element that Earth's heroes didn't face .
Area of Attack: Symbiote Legion Green are attacking Egypt. They may face resistance from Moon Knight or Storm, who both have ties to the area.
Symbiote Legion Blue - Kree Symbiotes
One of Marvel's most iconic alien species, the Kree are a militaristic society of expert soldiers, with enhanced physiology compared to humans. They have significant experience with planetary invasion and their own superhumans including Captain Glory and Ronan the Accuser.
The Kree are traditionally ruled over by the Supreme Intelligence, and Hela seemingly has some version of this hyper-intelligent entity under her control. Solicit information for Queen in Black #2 confirms the "Symbiote Intelligence" will be unleashed against the Fantastic Four.
Queen in Black's Kree symbiotes are shown with large headfins similar to traditional Kree helmets, and advanced energy weapons. They also reference a mysterious "All-Purpose Power Tool" that has yet to be revealed. Hela notes that they specialize in "shock and awe" tactics.
Area of Attack: Symbiote Legion Blue are attacking America. They're shown facing Spider-Man's Symbiote Alliance, which includes Black Cat, Agent Anti-Venom, She-Hulk and Rick Jones' Captain Spider. Captain Marvel is also likely to take an interest, given her own connections to the Kree Empire.
Symbiote Legion Purple - Skrull Symbiotes
Marvel's other most iconic alien species are the Skrulls. Amazing Spider-Man 1000/Queen in Black CGD 2026 #1 gives their symbiote specialty as "infiltration and espionage," referring to their ability to shapeshift. This ability is likely to be heightened by a symbiote connection, making their bodies even more malleable than before.
The Skrulls also have their own superhuman soldiers, known as Super-Skrulls, genetically enhanced to possess multiple superpowers from Earth-based heroes. Super-Skrulls like Kl'rt could operate as the Queen in Black's most powerful soldiers, and would likely be deployed against traditional foes like the Fantastic Four by Tyr.
The Skrulls are currently considered villains by the entire galaxy following the events of Imperial, which saw them framed for a series of high-profile assassinations. It's ironic that Hela's symbiote alliance combines Skrull and Kree, given the two species just officially ended a history-making alliance and returned to their traditionally hostile relationship.
In Venom #250, Skrull hero Captain R'gars discovered a cult of symbiotes who answer to Hela. He tried to reach Earth and warn Venom, but seemingly died in the attempt. However, his death wasn't explicitly shown and the character may return.
Area of Attack: Symbiote Legion Purple are attacking Italy. They'll likely face Euroforce.
Gold Venom - Anti-Carnage Upgrade
Not revealed in Amazing Spider-Man 1000/Queen in Black CGD 2026, but still a relatively new addition to Marvel lore, the current "All-New Venom" is Mary Jane Watson, who bonded with the symbiote after both were injured in the Venom War event.
As Venom, MJ has a golden symbol and eyes, seemingly referring to the symbiote being bonded to Eganrac during Venom War - an artificial substance which is considered the "Anti-Carnage." The substance is toxic to red symbiotes and impervious to any weapons created from red symbiote matter.
The that Eddie Brock's classic version didn't - not because of new powers, but simply because MJ Watson thinks differently as a host. MJ has been making the most of Venom's malleable body, creating new shapes like a submarine, and remaining aware that the symbiote's humanoid form isn't fixed - for example, having Venom manifest a new mouth from its stomach when its limbs were restrained, or growing new muscles to increase its physical strength.
Previews of Queen in Black have confirmed that MJ's Venom will work alongside the Avengers to try and defeat Knull and Hela, and may even be enhanced by Scarlet Witch's magic.
Meanwhile, Amazing Spider-Man 1000/Queen in Black CGD 2026 shows her as a major member of Spider-Man's Symbiote Alliance, suggesting she'll be at the heart of this event.
Marvel is delving deep into Venom lore for the upcoming Queen in Black event, including new color-coded symbiote legions which weaponize several of the publisher's classic alien species.
Amazing Spider-Man 1000/Queen in Black CGD 2026 #1 digital edition is available free now from Marvel Comics.
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