If you are a fan of Marvel comics, movies, or memes, you might have seen an image of Venom, the anti-hero symbiote, dunking on Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood superhero, with a basketball. This image has become a viral meme that has been used in various ways, from bait-and-switch jokes to mic drop moments. But where did this image come from, and how did it become so popular? In this blog post, we will explore the origin and evolution of the Venom dunking on Spider-Man meme.
The Source of the Image
The image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man was originally created by comic artist Kael Ngu as a variant cover for Venom #35, the 200th issue of the series that was released in June 2021. The cover was commissioned by Frankie’s Comics and Golden Apple Comics as an exclusive edition. Ngu posted the image on his Twitter account on March 4th, 2021, and it received over 4,400 likes and 1,180 retweets in a year.
The image shows Venom, who is usually portrayed as a villain or an anti-hero in the Marvel universe, dominating Spider-Man, who is one of the most popular and beloved superheroes, in a basketball game. The image is a homage to the famous slam dunk contest between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988. The image also references the fact that Venom and Spider-Man have a long and complicated history, as Venom was originally Spider-Man’s black suit that he acquired during the Secret Wars storyline, but later turned out to be an alien parasite that bonded with his host and amplified their emotions.
The Rise of the Meme
The image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man did not become a meme until late 2021, when it was used in a trend called “This Pic Goes Hard, Feel Free To Screenshot” on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. The trend involved posting an image that was considered cool or impressive, followed by the caption “This pic goes hard, feel free to screenshot” or a variation of it. The image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man was one of the most popular choices for this trend, as it showed a powerful and dynamic scene that appealed to many comic fans and meme lovers.
The meme reached its peak in mid-2022, when it went viral on TikTok in bait-and-switch memes and skits. The format involved setting up a scenario or a question that seemed unrelated to the image, and then revealing the image as a punchline or a response. For example, one of the earliest and most popular examples was posted by TikToker dxrkvsthewrld on July 1st, 2022. The video showed him asking his friend what brand his shoes were, and then showing the image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man when his friend said “Puma”. The video used the song “Goodwill Pants Section” by Misery as the background music, which became the standard audio for most of the memes using this format. The video received over 3.7 million likes and 14.6 million views in six months.
The meme spread quickly on TikTok with others attempting to use it as a revival of bait-and-switch jokes such as Deez Nuts jokes or seeing who they could get using the same setup but with a different picture as the punchline. Some of the variations included using other comic characters such as Batman or Thanos instead of Venom or Spider-Man, or using other images such as Shrek or Spongebob. Due to the overuse of the meme in early July 2022, many began to get annoyed by the trend, leading to a counter-meme in which people made responses and skits to the backlash the meme received.
The Evolution of the Meme
As the meme continued spreading on TikTok, many users began creating parodies and variations that broke away from the original format. Some of these included:
- Using the image as a mic drop moment or a comeback to dismiss what someone else said or did. For example, one video posted by TikToker iheartjocelyn_ on July 4th, 2022, showed her reacting to her boyfriend saying he wanted to break up with her by showing him the image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man.
- Using the image as an unexpected twist or a reveal to shock or surprise someone. For example, one video posted by TikToker joshuadun21pilots on July 5th, 2022, showed him pretending to be pregnant and then showing his boyfriend the image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man when he asked who the father was.
- Using the image as an anti-meme or a non-sequitur to create a random or absurd statement. For example, one video posted by TikToker jaydenmccoy on July 6th, 2022, showed him saying “I fucked your father” and then showing the image of Venom dunking on Spider-Man.
The meme also spread to other platforms such as YouTube, Reddit, and Twitter, where it was used in similar ways or as a reaction image. The meme also inspired fan art, remixes, and edits of the image, such as adding different backgrounds, effects, or captions.
The Impact of the Meme
The meme of Venom dunking on Spider-Man has become one of the most popular and recognizable memes of 2022. It has also become a cultural phenomenon that has generated a lot of attention and discussion among comic fans, meme enthusiasts, and internet users. The meme has also increased the popularity and visibility of the Venom character and franchise, especially ahead of the release of the Venom: Let There Be Carnage movie in September 2022. The meme has also shown the creativity and humor of the online community, as well as the potential of comic art to become a source of viral content.
