Numerous characters present in theMarvel Cinematic Universehave faced the terrifying Knull, who will have his cinematic debut inVenom: The Last Dance.With the expansion ofthe MCU’s timelineto incorporate other franchises followingDeadpool & WolverineandSpider-Man: No Way Home, the MCU hero line-up has swelled notably. As such, many MCU characters have faced the villain presented in thetrailer forVenom: Let There Be Dance, the terrifying Knull.
Knull in Marvel Comicsis the ancient primordial deity who created the symbiotes, the alien race most notably linked to Venom. He is the embodiment of darkness and chaos, having existed before the birth of the universe itself. Knull’s origins date back to the early days of creation, when the Celestials, godlike beings, began forming the cosmos. After being briefly imprisoned, Knull waged war on Earth, encountering numerous heroes now associated with the MCU. Among these was Sentry, who has beencast in the MCU’sThunderbolts* and will therefore join the MCU imminently.
13Venom, AKA Eddie Brock
Venom Vol. 4 #3
Venom has perhaps the deepest connection to Knull among all Marvel characters, being a direct creation of the symbiote god. Eddie Brock’s symbiote wasborn from the same primordial darknessthat Knull used to forge the symbiote race. Their confrontations culminated inKing in Black,a massive crossover event in which Knull descended upon Earth to reclaim control over all symbiotes.
Venom stood as Knull’s primary adversary, eventually becoming the cosmic figure who would vanquish him. Eddie, equipped with the Enigma Force and transformed into the ultimate version of Venom,delivered the final blow to Knull, freeing the universe from his tyrannical grip. Venom’s victory over Knull marked a pivotal turning point, redefining Eddie Brock’s role within the Marvel universe as a cosmic-level hero.
12Thor Odinson
King in Black #3
Thor, the God of Thunder, faced Knull duringKing in Blackwhen Knull invaded Earth with his army of symbiote dragons. Thor’s immense powermade him one of the few beings capable of going head-to-head with Knull. Thor’s lightning and enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, were instrumental in holding off Knull’s forces.
In one significant battle, Thor clashed directly with Knull, using his divine powers to try and sever Knull’s control over the symbiotes. However, Knull’s power was overwhelming, forcing Thor to team up with other heroes like Venom and the Avengers. Thor’s valor and divine strength werecrucial in weakening Knull’s forces, showing that even the gods of Asgard could be tested by the dark god of the symbiotes.
How Powerful Is Knull Compared To Thanos And Kang?
Knull is getting a live-action adaptation in Venom: The Last Dance, but how powerful is this villain when compared to the big bads of the MCU?
11The Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer: Black
The Silver Surfer’s battle against Knull occurred long before the events ofKing in Black, during Knull’s early days as a cosmic tyrant. Knull encountered the Silver Surfer inSilver Surfer: Black, where the Surferfound himself in Knull’s territory of endless darkness. The Surfer, wielding the Power Cosmic, was one of the few beings strong enough to challenge Knull directly.
Despite his formidable abilities, Knull’s connection to the symbiotes and his control over darkness itself made hima terrifying foe for the Surfer. The Surfer fought valiantly, even momentarily staving off Knull’s complete domination. However, Knull’s overwhelming power forced the Surfer into a desperate situation where he had to tap into new, uncharted powers. The Silver Surfer’s resistance against Knull would later prove instrumental in weakening Knull’s plans and laid the groundwork for future confrontations.
10Spider-Man, AKA Peter Parker
King in Black: Spider-Man
Spider-Man’s connection to Knull isrooted in his relationship with the symbiotes, particularly Venom. While Peter Parker didn’t have a direct one-on-one confrontation with Knull, he played a key role during theKing in Blackevent. As Knull launched his invasion of Earth, Peter found himself battling the symbiotes in New York City.
Spider-Man’s agility, quick thinking, and combat skills allowed him to fend off the overwhelming forces that Knull unleashed on New York City. Spider-Man also supported Eddie Brock in his eventual rise to defeat Knull, offering tactical assistance during the battle. Peter’s personal history with the Venom symbiote also gave himunique insight into Knull’s powers and vulnerabilities, making him an essential player in the larger fight.
9Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers
King in Black: Avengers
Captain America, the symbol of hope and resistance, was another hero who fought against Knull during theKing in Blackinvasion. As Knull descended upon Earth with his symbiote army, Captain America was on the frontlines,rallying both heroes and soldiers to stand against the dark forces. Cap’s leadership proved invaluable as he organized the resistance efforts in a world where most of humanity was overwhelmed by Knull’s symbiote takeover.
Armed with his indestructible shield and tactical genius, Captain America led numerous rescue missions and stood tall against Knull’s lieutenants. Though Cap wasn’t powerful enough to face Knull directly in a physical battle,his presence as a leader was crucial. His role was to inspire hope when all seemed lost, ensuring that the world’s remaining heroes could band together for one last stand against Knull’s overwhelming might.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
8Iron Man, AKA Tony Stark
Tony Stark faced the symbiote god duringKing in Blackas Knull’s forces invaded Earth. Always the strategist, Iron Man sought a technological solution to the problem, evendeveloping advanced symbiote-resistant armor to battle Knull’s hordes. Stark’s intelligence and quick thinking allowed him to counter several of Knull’s symbiote dragons, using his technological innovations to disrupt their biological control.
At one point, Stark even attempted to hijack one of Knull’s symbiotes,infusing it into his armor to gain a tactical advantage. While this risky move provided temporary success, Knull’s power was far beyond anything Stark could handle alone. Despite this, Iron Man’s contributions to the battle helped weaken Knull’s forces and allowed the other heroes to focus on taking down the dark god.
7She-Hulk, AKA Jennifer Walters
She-Hulk’s involvement in the battle against Knull came duringKing in Black, where she fought alongside the Avengers to fend off Knull’s symbiote army. She-Hulk’s raw power made her a valuable asset in confronting the overwhelming hordes of symbiotes. Jennifer Walterstook on multiple symbiote dragons, using her strength and gamma-enhanced abilities to hold back Knull’s forces from overtaking key locations.
While She-Hulk didn’t confront Knull directly, her role was critical in protecting the Avengers and civilians during the invasion. Her sheer forceallowed the Avengers to launch coordinated counterattacks, buying time for heroes like Thor and Venom to face Knull head-on. She-Hulk’s ability to stay grounded and resilient, even in the face of overwhelming odds, made her an essential part of the defensive efforts against Knull’s onslaught.
6Captain Marvel, AKA Carol Danvers
As one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe, Captain Marvel was a key figure in the battle against Knull during theKing in Blackevent. Carol Danvers’ cosmic abilities made her uniquely suited to face the symbiote god’s army of dragons and symbiote-controlled heroes. Captain Marveltook the fight to the skies, using her energy blasts and superhuman strength to take down Knull’s forces across multiple battlefronts.
Captain Marvel also helped protect Earth’s space defenses,preventing Knull’s symbiote armies from overwhelming the planetfrom orbit. Though Captain Marvel did not directly fight Knull one-on-one, her contributions were critical in holding off the dark god’s forces. Captain Marvel helped buy enough time for Eddie Brock to gain the power to defeat Knull.
5Black Knight, AKA Dane Whitman
King in Black: Black Knight
Dane Whitman, the wielder of the Ebony Blade asBlack Knight, was introduced to the MCU inEternals. He had an important role in the fight against Knull inKing in Black. The Ebony Blade, a mystical weapon of immense power, provedone of the few weapons capable of inflicting significant damageon Knull’s symbiote forces.
Whitman tore through the battlefield, using the blade to cut through Knull’s symbiotes with ease. The sword’s dark, cursed nature allowed it to stand up to Knull’s cosmic power, and Black Knight’s combat expertise was crucial. While Whitman didn’t directly face Knull, hecombated the symbiote dragons and assisted the Avengersin holding back the tide.
4Namor, Ruler Of Atlantis
King in Black: Namor
As the King of Atlantis, Namor faced Knull’s invasion when the symbiote god attempted to take over the oceans as part of his planetary conquest inKing in Black. Namor,fiercely protective of his underwater kingdom, fought back against Knull’s forces with his Atlantean army. Namor’s strength, along with his ability to command the sea, made him a formidable opponent for Knull’s symbiotes, particularly those that had adapted to aquatic environments.
Despite his best efforts, however, Namor wasoverwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Knull’s invasion. His kingdom of Atlantis became a key battleground, and he was not able to single-handedly stop the dark god. Nevertheless, his leadership and power helped protect his people from total annihilation.
Venom 3 Revealing Knull Has Me Concerned About Sony’s Plans For The Thanos-Level Marvel Villain
The trailer for Venom 3 revealed Knull as the villain. While this is exciting, I’m worried about how the Thanos-level villain will be handled.
