Dylan Brock is still a hybrid human-symbiote. I think he can freely bond with any symbiote as well as exert control over them. The stronger the symbiote's will, the less effective this would be. Like Toxin and Sleeper would let him puppet them around (the latter with reluctance) but Carnage would repel him with malice (with practice and effort, he could probably hold him down for a couple of seconds). Venom and Eddie are adamant about him getting an education, but compared to his hero antics, he can't sit still in class and finds it a bummer which makes him a target for bullies. He won't fight back unless they really get under his skin (same anger issues as Venom). He doesn't like to talk about it though because he doesn't want to trouble his parents. He and Sleeper are like siblings, working together but also arguing over the dumbest stuff. Since Dylan is still learning to manifest Codex on his own, Sleeper helps him out. He can form Codex with any symbiote. Whoever forms with him influences the appearance. On his own, he'd have the signature red and black look. He gets along well with Bren and Andi. He's polite to Flash but may give him some snark on Eddie's behalf. He's trying to convince Eddie and Venom to let him go on missions with his own team. It's not that they don't trust him; they just want him safe.
Sleeper (and Toxin) are unlike any other Kylntar because they have no connection to the hive, probably due to the nature of their births. Sleeper tried to solve this sense of loneliness by exploring the cosmos using Tel-Kar's corpse but eventually realized its place was with its family. It can be conceited and, despite being the youngest, flaunt an intelligence that comes with being independent from an early age, but at its heart, it cares deeply for its family and friends. Like Venom, Sleeper can form independent of a host; though, unlike Venom, it can keep this up indefinitely. Gets along best with Toxin. Keeps the braincell unless Toxin is involved. Spoils Dylan even though its younger than him. Loves Eddie and Venom a lot but will never say it aloud (it's embarrassing). If it has to have a babysitter, would prefer Dr. Stevens.
Andi Benton is Flash's surrogate daughter. Made her Asian-American and trans, just for funsies. Debating on whether to give her the hell-mark or not. Wasn't a huge fan of the plotline, and I don't remember/know if anything ever came of it. If no hell-mark, Flash took the marked symbiote (Mania) from her and cleansed it, removing it from her. She bonds with Scream which when combined with anti-venom, becomes Silence. Lowkey holds a grudge against Flash for abandoning her on earth. Slowly healing from it as she sees him doing his best to be a better dad for her. Still calls him "Coach." First time she calls him Dad, they both cry. Was unable to graduate high school because of antics. Flash helped her get her G.E.D. Punk clothing is a ward to keep people away; is actually one of the sweetest, most caring people you'll ever meet. Is a great babysitter. Hilla loves her! Knows how to keep Dylan, Bren, and Sleeper in line. Will go out on missions with them and stick up for them if it feels like the adults are being too overprotective. Gets along great with Silence but they can argue about mundane things. Silence likes her silence, and Andi loves loud punk rock. Andi is finding more hobbies for Silence to enjoy.
Bren Waters has a rockier relationship with his dad. Oskar is a stricter, more militant "my house, my rules" and "spoke until spoken to," sort of dad. Worse, he works for Alchemax with extreme prejudice towards aliens, esp symbiotes. Bren doesn't want to leave his dad alone but breathes easier whenever the old man isn't around. Likes being around Eddie and Flash (Toxin prefers Flash). Fueled by a need to do good, almost like he has to make up for his dad's bad. Dad issues are another reason he gets along well with Toxin. In a rush to grow up. Prefers working in a team than solo. Gets over excited about going into space. Gets into shenanigans with Dylan; they take turns starting shit.
Toxin is like a cross between a young adult and a teenager. He's on the older side but gets along great with his younger friends. He likes to have fun and get into trouble (as long as no one gets hurt). Still has trouble with morality at times i.e. doing wrong things for the right reasons. Very much a "the happiest people you know are the saddest." Uses humor to deflect from how much he feels like a loser/failure. Blames himself for Patrick's death. Piles all of his failures and shortcomings onto his shoulders like a tacky coat. Carnage can feed these feelings like a wildfire; Toxin needs friends around to fight his dad though eventually he'd be able to fight him back solo. Complicated relationship with Venom. His grandfather feels regret and wants to mend their relationship, but Toxin finds it hard to trust him despite seeing his sincerity.
I like the idea of the symbiote void mentioned (introduced?) in the Extreme Carnage books. Because of Toxin and Sleeper's natures, they were not born into the Kylntar hivemind, so their voids are noticeably empty. I think over time, maybe all of them learn to connect and create their own hivemind, more like connected mind palaces. It would allow them to sense and communicate with each other over long distances (not earth to space long distance).
Finally Miles. Again, not important to this but gotta mention him. Another huge shoutout to @yotakuboi. Your spider-man designs are legendary to me. I like how a lot of Miles's struggles are mental. He has trouble balancing his work and life which results in anxiety and paranoia. He's constantly worried about his friends and family getting hurt because of him. He pushes himself to get stronger which only makes his anxiety worse. Enter special guest teacher Peter Parker who turns out to be, gasp, Spider-Man. Also, he wants to help mentor Miles and get him balanced! One of my least favorite things about Miles is how he is constantly having to prove himself worthy of the Spider-Man name which is why I was first drawn to yotakuboi's designs where he was allowed to just be Prowler, if a spider-themed version. It's a neat compromise. I imagine the gloves amplify his venom powers. Debating whether I want him to take the gear from his uncle after finding out his identity or if his uncle passed it on to him asking him to do some good with it. Leaning towards the latter. Maybe Aaron gave him combat training. The gymnastics happen after Peter takes over role of mentor. I don't think Peter would teach at Brooklyn Visions. So instead he probably covers their outings as tutoring sessions since Miles could use the extra help. His parents known his secret but can't actually understand what he's going through, so they're thankful to Peter. He's always invited to family dinner. He tries to teach advanced science to baby Billie no matter how much Miles tries to get him to wait.
THE VENOM OF THE WIDOW! After the birth of an all-new symbiote, what familiar face will cross its path and become its first host?! And will that host be able to resist the symbiote’s corrupting and violent influence? Perhaps the bigger question: Will the symbiote be able to survive THEIRS?!
LEGACY #227
Written by: Torunn Grønbekk
Art by: Julius Ohta, Frank D’Armata
Cover by: Cafu
Page Count: 28 Pages
Release Date: November 1, 2023
