For all of us getting the Venom by Stern, I welcome you to the symbiote’s club

I’ll be posting official lore and pics in here once we confirm all included characters.

What is the Venom pin by Stern?

Stern Pinball, Inc. and Marvel are collaborating to debut an all-new line of pinball games featuring one of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex, and iconic characters, Venom – who’s ready to wreak havoc. Venom pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

Venom, an alien symbiote that bonds with various hosts, including former Spider-Man antagonist Eddie Brock, first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man comic book series in the ’80s. The symbiote gives its host superhuman strength and agility, providing creative and versatile powers out of its material. With its unique and visually striking appearance, Venom quickly became one of Marvel’s most recognizable and popular characters. Venom has been an inspiration for numerous products including: action figures, apparel, collectibles, and now pinball – cementing its continual influence on popular culture in game rooms and entertainment locations worldwide.

Stern’s Venom pinball games will immerse players into the mayhem of this antihero’s Marvel Universe, featuring more than 20 characters including: Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker, Black Suit Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Riot, Agony, Lasher, Phage, Doppelganger, Venomized Hulk, Venomized Wolverine and Venomized Captain America. Venom’s arch enemy Carnage is collecting Codices to awaken Knull, the God of the symbiotes. Venom must stop Carnage by battling through his army of symbiotes and the Infected to prevent him from taking over the world.

Playing as Venom, gamers will select a host to bond with at the start of each game, altering the entire gaming experience both physically and digitally. Vertical pinball lock symbiote containment vessels located on both sides of the playfield lock and quickly release balls for constant frenetic action as players explore shots through the mechanically changing Agro-Lab and Life Foundation pathways. Players will bash an interactive, custom sculpted Carnage captive ball back into Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane. Additionally, a surprise Doppelganger attack can swing into action at a moment’s notice, unveiling three uplift targets wreaking chaos.

Canvassing the Venom pinball game experience is a collection of hand-drawn comic book style artwork by renowned artist, Jeremy Packer (AKA Zombie Yeti). Depending on which host you choose, players will hear a variety of different styles of music throughout gameplay, including over a dozen music tracks from GRAMMY Award-winning musician Mark Tremonti.

Venom pinball games include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways. Through Insider Connected, players will be able to save their game progress through connectivity persistence, allowing anyone to become a (anti)hero as you advance through the game to reach the final wizard mode at the end, no matter how many tries it might take.

In addition, Insider Connected allows players to track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the games. Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com.

Limited to 1,000 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes a Venom vs. Carnage inspired full-color mirrored backglass, full color high definition reflective foil decal cabinet artwork, custom high gloss Venom-inspired “goo” powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern President & CEO Seth Davis.

“Collaborating with Marvel has given us an opportunity to create this truly unique, engaging and dynamic pinball experience inspired by Venom,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO, Stern Pinball. “The artwork and animations pop. The music rocks. And we can’t wait for fans to sink their teeth into this game changing pinball experience and get connected today.”

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.

Pro Edition: $US 6,999

Premium Edition: $US 9,699

Limited Edition: $US 12,999

Venom pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

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*reserved for Venom lore*

Who is Venom?

Venom first debuted in issue "300" of the Amazing Spider-Man series. Below is a brief history of the two foes/partners.

The relationship between Venom and Spider-Man in Marvel Comics has been complex and dynamic, with a storyline that has evolved over the years.

1. The Origin: Venom's story begins when the symbiote, originally discovered by Spider-Man during the "Secret Wars" event, bonds with Peter Parker. At first, Peter enjoys the enhanced abilities granted by the symbiote but eventually realizes its corrupting influence and rejects it.

2. Eddie Brock: After Peter rejects the symbiote, it finds a new host in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist seeking revenge on Spider-Man. The symbiote's intense hatred for Spider-Man aligns with Eddie's own animosity towards Peter, leading to the creation of Venom.

3. The Lethal Protector: Venom emerges as a powerful and relentless adversary for Spider-Man. He becomes known for his brutal tactics, desire to expose Spider-Man's identity, and the constant threat he poses to both Peter Parker and his loved ones.

4. Anti-Heroic Phase: Over time, Venom's character evolves. He transitions from a pure villain to an anti-hero, often finding himself in morally ambiguous situations. Eddie Brock's desire to protect innocents and his complex relationship with the symbiote influence Venom's actions.

5. Team-ups and Conflicts: While Venom continues to clash with Spider-Man, they occasionally find themselves on the same side, teaming up to face greater threats. Their interactions have been marked by a mix of cooperation, conflict, and mutual understanding.

6. Legacy and New Hosts: Beyond Eddie Brock, the Venom symbiote has bonded with other hosts over the years, including characters like Mac Gargan (Scorpion), Flash Thompson, and even Peter Parker himself in certain storylines. Each host brings their own unique dynamic to the Venom and Spider-Man relationship.

The story between Venom and Spider-Man encompasses themes of duality, personal struggle, and the fine line between hero and villain. It explores the dark mirror image aspect of Venom as a twisted reflection of Spider-Man's powers and responsibilities.

Who is Venom's main enemy?

One of the main antagonists for Venom has always been Carnage who has his own offspring and apparently will have Carnage “drones” as enemies according to lead coder, Dwight Sullivan.

Carnage, also known as Cletus Kasady, is an extremely dangerous and psychopathic serial killer who becomes the host of the Carnage symbiote.

As the offspring of the Venom symbiote, Carnage possesses similar powers but with even greater levels of aggression and chaos. Carnage has a deep hatred for both Venom and Spider-Man and has engaged in numerous violent clashes with them over the years.

Carnage's unpredictable nature and brutal tendencies make him a formidable adversary for Venom, often pushing Venom to his limits both physically and mentally. The ongoing conflict between Venom and Carnage has been a central element of their respective storylines and has provided intense and dramatic confrontations throughout the Marvel Comics continuity.

Who are the other Carnage looking symbiotes I see on this pin?

There are five Life Foundation symbiotes who were “forced to be born” from the Venom symbiote. They are essentially his “children” and look to be part of Stern’s new pin (rightfully so since they show up in the 2018 Sony Venom film with Riot being the main antagonist).

Here is a breakdown of each of their individual powers. Think of them like Symbiote Power Rangers.

Remember, each were born after Venom was forced to create spawn after the Life Foundation captured Eddie Brock/Venom. They wanted these symbiotes to be their protectors as the Life Foundation tried to create their own version of paradise.

Riot:

Superhuman Strength: Riot grants its host immense physical strength, allowing them to overpower regular humans and engage in formidable combat.
Shape-Shifting: Riot can reshape its host's body into various weapons, such as bladed limbs or hammers, for offensive purposes.
Enhanced Durability: Riot enhances the host's durability, making them highly resistant to physical damage.
Regenerative Healing: The symbiote enables its host to heal rapidly from injuries, recovering at an accelerated rate.

Agony:

Biomolecular Constructs: Agony has the unique ability to form flexible and lethal weapons, such as whips or tendrils, out of its host's symbiote-covered body.
Enhanced Strength: Agony enhances the host's strength, making them more powerful in combat.
Acidic Touch: Agony can secrete a corrosive acid, allowing its host to melt through various materials or harm enemies.
Sensory Manipulation: Agony can alter the host's sensory perception, potentially causing hallucinations or disorienting opponents.

Phage:

Organic Tentacles: Phage grants its host the ability to create multiple elongated tentacles from its symbiote, which can be used for offensive purposes or to traverse across surfaces.
Enhanced Strength and Agility: Phage enhances the host's physical attributes, providing increased strength and agility.
Acidic Projectiles: Phage can generate and launch acidic projectiles from its symbiote-covered fingertips, capable of melting through objects or attacking foes.
Limited Camouflage: Phage can partially blend in with its surroundings, making it more difficult to spot its host.

Lasher:

Symbiote Constructs: Lasher enables its host to generate and manipulate long tendrils or constructs made of the symbiote substance, which can be used as versatile weapons or for grasping objects.
Enhanced Strength and Reflexes: Lasher enhances the host's physical capabilities, granting increased strength, speed, and agility.
Protective Shielding: Lasher can form a defensive barrier around its host, offering enhanced protection against attacks.
Genetic Memory Sensing: Lasher possesses the ability to sense and access the genetic memories of others, potentially providing valuable information.

Scream:

Sonic Scream: Scream possesses a unique sonic-based power, allowing its host to emit extremely powerful sonic screams capable of shattering objects, disorienting enemies, or causing widespread destruction.
Enhanced Strength and Speed: Scream enhances the host's physical attributes, including strength, speed, and reflexes.
Limited Camouflage: Scream can partially camouflage its host, blending them into the environment to some extent.
Wall-Crawling: Scream grants its host the ability to cling to and crawl on walls and other surfaces.

Who is the final boss, Knull?

Understanding Venom means you should also understand the overarching lord of the symbiotes, Knull.

Plain and simple, Knull is insanely badass.

He is an ancient and immensely powerful being who represents the embodiment of darkness and the primordial void that predates the universe. Knull is often depicted as the original and first symbiote, the alien species to which Venom and other notable characters like Carnage belong.

According to Marvel lore, Knull existed before the creation of the universe and controlled a living abyss known as the Void. He forged the All-Black, the first symbiote, from the darkness, giving him control over the living abyss and the ability to create more symbiotes.

Knull possesses god-like abilities, including superhuman strength, speed, durability, and shape-shifting. He can manipulate and control the symbiotes and even create weapons and constructs from the darkness.

Knull's power is further enhanced by his connection to the Symbiote Hive, a collective consciousness of all symbiotes, allowing him to command and communicate with symbiotes across the universe. He can corrupt and dominate other symbiotes, including those bonded to other beings. Knull also wields a massive symbiote-dragon called Grendel, which serves as his mount and weapon.

The reason for Knull's incredible power lies in his origins as a primordial being associated with darkness and the Void. As the first symbiote and the ruler of the Symbiote Hive, he has accumulated immense power and influence over time, making him one of the most formidable and dangerous adversaries in the Marvel Universe.

Below are images of Knull as the King in Black and then in his original symbiote armor.

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*reserved post for media*

Official Rulesheet: https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Venom-Rulesheet.pdf

Official Teaser:

Official Reveal Trailer:

Animation Premiere:

Official In Depth Preview with CEO Seth Davis:

San Diego Comic-Con Recap:

Dead Flip SDCC Venom Premium Gameplay Premiere with Brian Eddy:

Flip N' Out Post Reveal Deep Dive:

Southern Fried Gaming Expo Interview with Brian Eddy (Lead Designer) and Dwight Sullivan (Lead Programmer/Coder):

Absolute Carnage Story Detailed Explanation (the main plot behind the Venom pin):

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Congrats! Looks like we have a few LE owners in there already including myself (paid in full).

Just about a month away!

I’m glad you like the setup! Although I am not a distro, just a Venom superfan

Probably my favorite art section on the playfield. Really well done center drain section.

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