but also consider this

whenever she needs the necrosword, Dylan starts taking it out then Hela pulls the rest out, but since she has a "touch of death" he dies afterwards

but when she's done with the necrosword, she puts it back in him and brings him back to life, since she has necromancy powers

AND AND AND listen to me.

Dylan imprints on her because even though she treats him like a sword sheath, she still brings him back to life afterwards, which is more than other people can say they've done to him

Venom was originally only supposed to be violent and malicious because of the trauma of being forcibly abandoned by its first host peter in its infancy and then bonded to someone with untreated depression who hated peter obsessively.

Carnage was bonded to a severely imbalanced, psychopathic serial killer, at birth. a klyntar imprints its personality from its earliest hosts. It is incapable of creativity it merely enhances the host.

There has since been a lot of retcon to make them more evil but i miss them being just like any other species, mostly just people. Remember when the species wasnt a synthetic living abyss necrosword created by the dark godthing "Knull The King In Black" in the void between the 6th an 7th dimension?

It was just a bunch of slimy little dudes who wanted a friend and in turn the friend's natural traits and impulses would be enhanced?

Gwen stacy has one you know.

I miss the possibility of cool klyntar who just eat chocolate and do heroic shit and arent killing anybody or doing any monster shit because KLYNTAR ARENT PREDATORS the HUMAN HOST IS.

their powers are well suited to nonlethal protection, they can do all the green lantern stuff with smaller range.

The Knull AP card I shared previously (from the Spider-man Renditions set) was actually my second attempt, where I tweaked a few things compared to this first one (see pics below for side-by-side comparisons)!

In Marvel’s cosmic pantheon, Knull stands as one of the darkest, most formidable deities to emerge in recent years. Known as the “God of the Symbiotes,” Knull was introduced in *Venom* (2018), created by writer Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman. As the ancient being who gave birth to the symbiote species, Knull's story expands the Marvel Universe’s lore in new, terrifying ways, adding layers of mythology to characters like Venom and Carnage. His story is one of darkness, chaos, and an unquenchable thirst for destruction, making Knull an imposing and memorable villain. This article explores Knull’s origin, powers, motivations, and impact on the Marvel Universe, revealing how this ancient god has become one of the most sinister figures in recent Marvel history.

1. Origin and Creation of Knull

Knull’s story begins at the dawn of time, before the creation of the universe itself. As Marvel lore tells it, Knull existed in a realm of complete darkness, a void predating even the birth of celestial beings. When the Celestials—the cosmic gods who shaped much of the Marvel Universe—began to create stars and planets, Knull viewed it as an act of invasion. To him, their light disrupted the primordial darkness that he had called home for eons. Infuriated by this intrusion, Knull lashed out against the Celestials, vowing to destroy all life that brought light into his beloved void.

To fight these cosmic beings, Knull fashioned a weapon that would become legendary in its own right: All-Black the Necrosword. Forged from living darkness, the sword became the universe’s first symbiotic weapon, a deadly blade capable of cutting through even the mightiest gods. With it, Knull waged a war against the Celestials, slaying several of them before he was ultimately overpowered and cast down into the void he once ruled.

Knull's defeat led him to a revelation: he could create life from the darkness itself. Channeling his rage and hatred, he forged the first symbiote from the abyss, bonding it to himself and becoming a being of unparalleled power. He created a vast army of symbiotes, dark creatures that he sent out across the universe to conquer worlds and spread his influence.

2. The Birth of the Symbiote Hive

Knull’s symbiotes were not merely individual organisms; they were connected to him through a hive mind, allowing him to control and influence them across vast distances. This hive mind became an extension of Knull’s consciousness, allowing him to spread his darkness through the universe. Each symbiote carried a part of Knull's essence, his hatred of the Celestials, and his longing to consume the light.

Over time, the symbiotes became increasingly independent, eventually rebelling against Knull’s control. Realizing the destructiveness of their creator, they imprisoned him within a planet-sized cage made of their combined mass. This prison-planet would become known as *Klyntar*—which, in the symbiote language, ironically means “cage.” While the symbiotes continued to exist, the bond with Knull was severed, leaving them free to pursue their individual instincts.

3. The Role of All-Black the Necrosword

All-Black the Necrosword, the first symbiotic weapon created by Knull, plays a critical role in Marvel’s cosmic history. After being separated from Knull, the sword found its way into the hands of Gorr the God Butcher, a character introduced in *Thor: God of Thunder* (2012) by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic. Gorr wielded the Necrosword in his quest to kill gods across the Marvel Universe, unaware that his weapon was born from Knull’s darkness. This connection between Knull, the Necrosword, and Gorr adds depth to the Marvel mythos, linking Knull’s influence to events far beyond the scope of the symbiote narrative.

The Necrosword became a symbol of godly destruction, passed from Knull to Gorr and then later to Thor himself. Each wielder carried a fragment of Knull’s hatred, unknowingly perpetuating his dark legacy. This cycle of death and destruction demonstrates how Knull’s influence permeates the Marvel Universe, even when he is not directly involved.

4. Return and Rise of Knull

Knull remained imprisoned within Klyntar for millennia, yet his influence persisted. Many symbiotes, such as Venom and Carnage, retained traces of Knull’s malevolent nature, unknowingly serving as conduits of his will. However, it wasn’t until recent events that Knull began to regain his power. In *Absolute Carnage* (2019), Carnage attempted to resurrect Knull by collecting the remnants of his essence embedded in the DNA of various symbiote hosts. His efforts brought Knull closer to liberation, sparking the events that would lead to Knull’s return.

In the *King in Black* storyline, Knull finally broke free from his prison, returning to the universe with a vengeance. Emerging as the supreme ruler of darkness, he unleashed his vast army of symbiotes upon Earth and other planets, declaring himself the “King in Black.” His arrival plunged the Marvel Universe into chaos, as he aimed to consume all light and life, transforming the cosmos back into the empty darkness he so cherished. Knull’s return signaled an existential threat, one that required the combined efforts of heroes, gods, and cosmic beings to combat.

5. Knull’s Powers and Abilities

Knull’s power is nearly godlike, placing him among Marvel’s most formidable villains. His abilities stem from his connection to the primordial darkness and his mastery over the symbiote hive. Key aspects of his power include:

Symbiote Control: As the creator of the symbiotes, Knull holds absolute control over the hive mind, able to manipulate any symbiote across the universe. He can take over symbiote hosts, use symbiotes as weapons, and even transform planets into extensions of his will. His control is so profound that he can sever a symbiote’s bond with its host, returning it to his influence.

Darkness Manipulation: Knull has the power to manipulate and weaponize darkness itself, creating constructs and weapons from living shadows. His power over darkness allows him to engulf entire worlds in blackness, rendering them lifeless and barren.

Superhuman Strength and Durability: Knull possesses immense strength and durability, allowing him to battle cosmic beings such as the Celestials. He has survived confrontations with some of Marvel’s most powerful entities, underscoring his status as a true cosmic powerhouse.

Immortality: As a primordial god, Knull is functionally immortal, existing beyond the constraints of time and space. He is immune to aging, disease, and conventional forms of death, making him a nearly unstoppable force.

Necrosword: With All-Black the Necrosword, Knull becomes even more formidable, capable of slaying gods and cosmic beings. The sword enhances his physical abilities and serves as an extension of his will, symbolizing his desire to eradicate all life.

6. Knull’s Philosophy and Motivations

Knull is driven by a deep-seated hatred of life and light, viewing creation as an affront to the primordial darkness he once ruled. Unlike some villains who seek power, domination, or revenge, Knull’s motivations are almost nihilistic. He desires to return the universe to its original state of darkness, where he alone reigns supreme. To Knull, the very existence of stars, planets, and living beings is an abomination, an invasion that disrupted his perfect void.

This perspective makes Knull a unique villain in the Marvel Universe, as he embodies the concept of pure, cosmic entropy. His ambitions go beyond typical conquest or domination; he seeks to erase creation itself. Knull’s hatred of light, life, and the Celestials reveals an unsettling philosophy that resonates with cosmic horror, painting him as a figure of existential dread.

7. Impact on the Marvel Universe

Knull’s return has had far-reaching consequences in the Marvel Universe, especially for characters associated with the symbiotes. The *King in Black* storyline saw Earth’s mightiest heroes, including the Avengers, the X-Men, and cosmic entities, united in their struggle against him. Knull’s invasion brought humanity to its knees, with symbiote dragons and corrupted heroes spreading his influence across the planet.

Perhaps the most significant impact of Knull’s return was on Eddie Brock, the host of Venom. Throughout the King in Black storyline, Eddie emerged as the primary counterforce against Knull. Empowered by the symbiote hive, Eddie eventually absorbed enough power to challenge Knull himself, using the Enigma Force (the power of Captain Universe) to finally defeat the dark god. In the aftermath of Knull’s defeat, Eddie assumed a new role as the King in Black, taking control of the symbiote hive and redefining its purpose from one of destruction to one of protection.

8. Legacy of Knull

Knull’s legacy endures in Marvel’s cosmic landscape. His creation of the symbiotes has left a permanent mark on the universe, with characters like Venom, Carnage, and countless others carrying his dark influence. While Knull himself was ultimately defeated, his philosophies and power continue to shape the Marvel Universe. Eddie Brock’s new role as the King in Black opens the door to stories where the symbiote hive becomes a force for good, representing the triumph of light over darkness.

Knull’s story also expanded Marvel’s mythos, connecting symbiotes to ancient cosmic forces and establishing a link between various characters and artifacts, such as All-Black the Necrosword. His tale added layers of horror, complexity, and tragedy to the symbiote lore, enriching characters like Venom and providing a deeper context for the symbiotes’ existence.

Conclusion

KING IN BLACK #1 

All-Black

From: Venom

Wielder: Gorr, Knull, Dylan Brock (as Codex)

All-Black is a Necrosword first forged by Knull, using his firstborn symbiote. Later, the sword was wielded by Gorr who used it to slay gods. It is now possessed by Dylan Brock, who uses it to sever symbiotes from the Hive Mind. All-Black grants its wielder superhuman abilities, such as extreme strength, durability, speed, and reflexes. It can also shapeshift and manipulate dark energy.

Musou Isshin

From: Genshin Impact

Wielder: Raiden Shogun

Originally under the possession of Raiden Makoto, the original Electro Archon, it was never used for battle but was a symbol of peace. After Makoto died, she passed the Musou Isshin along with the title of Electro Archon down to her younger twin sister, Ei, who now wields it in battle.