Just when you thought the Marvel Universe was safe from the primordial darkness, the King in Black is back. Marvel Comics has officially announced the return of Knull, the terrifying God of the Symbiotes, in a brand-new solo limited series launching in January 2026. This five-issue epic, simply titled KNULL, promises to be a can’t-miss event for fans of cosmic horror and symbiote action.
The series will be penned by current Venom scribe Al Ewing and Tom Waltz, known for his work on Wolverine: Blood Hunt and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with art by symbiote superstar Juanan Ramirez (Eddie Brock: Carnage). The announcement comes on the heels of Knull’s shocking return in the milestone Venom #250, which saw the dark deity in a more vulnerable state than ever before.
Caption: The official cover for KNULL #1, featuring the King in Black himself.
Credit: Cover art by Ryan Stegman
Source: Marvel Comics
Who is Knull, the God of the Symbiotes?
For those who might be new to the reign of the King in Black, Knull is a being of immense power who has existed since before the current iteration of the Marvel Multiverse. As the creator of the symbiotes, he commands a vast army of these parasitic creatures and seeks to plunge all of reality into eternal darkness. His first full appearance was in Venom (2018) #4, where creators Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman established him as a major threat to the Marvel Universe.
Knull’s backstory is a chilling tale of cosmic horror. He was summoned by the Celestials as they remade reality and was offered the title of the King in Black, a being who would oversee their creations from within the universe. However, Knull rejected this offer and instead waged a one-man war against the light, even managing to decapitate a Celestial with his powerful Necrosword, the All-Black. This ancient weapon, forged from his first symbiote and the cosmic energies of the fallen Celestial, is capable of killing gods and absorbing the souls of its victims.
Knull’s reign of terror was eventually brought to an end when his own symbiote creations rebelled against him, imprisoning him within a planet made of their own bodies. He remained dormant for centuries, slowly gathering power until he was finally unleashed upon the universe in the epic King in Black crossover event in 2020. It took the combined might of Earth’s greatest heroes, and a cosmically-powered Eddie Brock as the new Captain Universe, to defeat him.
The Shocking Twist in Venom #250: Enter the Queen in Black
Just when it seemed Knull was defeated for good, he made a shocking return in Venom #250. However, this was not the triumphant return many expected. Instead, readers found the King in Black weakened and imprisoned by an unexpected usurper: Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death. Now calling herself the Queen in Black, Hela has seized Knull’s throne and taken control of the symbiote hive.
Caption: The cover of VENOM #250, where Hela’s shocking takeover was revealed.
Credit: Cover art for Venom #250
Source: Marvel Comics
This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for the upcoming KNULL series, which will see the God of the Void attempting to escape his new prison and reclaim his throne. The conflict between these two powerful villains is sure to have major repercussions for the entire Marvel Universe, and it’s all leading up to a massive storyline in 2026, which Marvel is teasing as the Queen in Black event.
What to Expect from the New ‘Knull’ Solo Series
The KNULL limited series will explore the King in Black’s struggle to regain his power and take his revenge on Hela. The official solicitation for the first issue reads:
Weakened from his last death, trapped by the enemy he never expected, the God of the Void waits in a cage once again. His captor thinks Knull has nothing to fight back with — but in Knull’s hands, nothing is a weapon. And there’s a greater weapon out there, waiting for the King in Black to take it… and take his revenge.
This tantalizing description hints at a desperate and brutal fight for survival for Knull, and the possibility of him wielding a new, even more powerful weapon. With the creative team of Al Ewing, Tom Waltz, and Juanan Ramirez at the helm, fans can expect a dark and action-packed story that delves deep into the twisted psyche of one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains. The series is set to launch on January 14, 2026.
The “Knullified” Variant Covers: A Dark Twist on Your Favorite Heroes
To celebrate the return of the King in Black, Marvel is releasing a series of 20 “Knullified” variant covers in December 2025. These stunning covers, created by some of the industry’s top artists, will feature twisted, symbiote-infected versions of beloved Marvel heroes. From Spider-Man to the Avengers, no one is safe from Knull’s corrupting influence.
Caption: A collection of the “Knullified” variant covers, showcasing the dark transformations of Marvel’s heroes.
Credit: Various artists
Source: Marvel Comics
The variant covers will be released throughout December on a variety of titles, including Doctor Strange, Amazing Spider-Man, Infernal Hulk, and Thor. These covers are sure to be a must-have for collectors and fans of Knull’s dark aesthetic.
The Future of Symbiotes in the Marvel Universe
The return of Knull and the rise of the Queen in Black signal a dark new chapter for the symbiotes of the Marvel Universe. With Hela in control of the hive and Knull on a path of revenge, the future of characters like Venom and Carnage is more uncertain than ever. The upcoming KNULL series and the subsequent Queen in Black event are sure to have a lasting impact on the cosmic landscape of Marvel Comics.
For more on the history of symbiotes, check out our article on the Marvel symbiote family tree. And for a deeper dive into the world of comic book events, explore our look at the best Marvel and DC crossover events.
Resources
- Marvel.com: Celebrate the King in Black’s Return with New Knullified Variant Covers (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/knullified-variant-covers-celebrate-the-king-in-black-return)
- Marvel.com: The Queen in Black’s Reign Begins (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-queen-in-black-reign-begins-venom-250-knull-hela)
- AIPT Comics: Marvel unleashes the King in Black’s return, and 20 terrifying Knullified heroes revealed! (https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/24/marvel-the-king-in-blacks-knullified-heroes/)
