History
The Xenophage is a ferocious feral alien species from an unnamed planet known for hunting Symbiotes, their favorite delicacy. The Xenophages particularly relish consuming the brains of symbiote hosts, which experience a significant increase in dopamine levels within the substantia nigra part of the brain due to their bond with the symbiote. The longer the host has been bonded with a symbiote, the higher these dopamine levels, making them more delectable to a Xenophage. If a Xenophage is particularly hungry, it will consume regular brains as well. Xenophages possess the ability to travel through space. Interestingly, they do not use any weaponry while hunting; instead, they rely on their natural adaptations to track, stalk, battle, and consume symbiotes.[1]
Hunting Symbiotes on Earth[]
A member of the species nicknamed Phage landed on Earth on the hunt for the symbiotes hiding there. Its actions came to light following a brutal murder outside the Lizard Lounge. N.Y.P.D. Detective Clark and Detective Steen investigated the case, suspecting Venom due to the nature of the attack—a victim with her brain eaten. However, Detective Clark was skeptical, noting Venom's typical hero complex, despite his violent tendencies.[2] Meanwhile, Eddie Brock was struggling with homelessness and was ejected from a theater after seeking refuge there. He visited the Daily Grind coffee shop and encountered Ben Reilly, who he recognized as Spider-Man. Brock resisted his urge to attack Reilly, staying true to a promise he had made to his ex-wife, Ann Weying. As the police continued their investigation, involving Dr. Ashley Kafka and Dr. Camille Pazzo, they expressed doubts about Venom's involvement in the murders. Despite this, the detectives persisted in their hunt for Venom. Brock, as Venom, went on a patrol, intent on protecting innocents, while the real killer, Phage, targeted another victim, Zeena Hodge. A host to a surviving symbiote from the Planet of the Symbiotes Event that Donna was helping and had her held up at her place. [2]
The police authorized the use of military-grade helicopters to capture Venom. As Venom evaded the police, he saved a skateboarder named Binky from an oncoming truck, which led him to disguise himself as a skateboarder to blend in. Meanwhile, After Zeena's death, Donna, George Strickland, a host to another surviving symbiote from the Symbiotes invasion that Donna was helping, returned to the apartment and discovered the presence of Phage, who killed George. Donna, sensing the danger, teamed up with Venom. As Venom won a skateboard competition to earn money, the detectives closed in on him. However, a call about another body at Zeena's apartment diverted their attention. Venom, disguised as a police officer, learned about the operation against him but was forced to reveal himself due to Operation: Decibel—a citywide sonic assault causing him immense pain.[3]
Weakened by the sonic attack, Venom was captured by the police. Phage, the true killer, attacked Venom, revealing his intent to consume symbiotes. As Venom battled Phage, Donna attempted to fight back but was incapacitated. The fight continued into a subway station and onto a train, where Venom tried to protect Donna and the skateboarders who followed them. Detective Clark discovered from Dr. Yao that the murder victims were symbiote hosts. The police chased the train, leading to a confrontation where Venom used a white-phosphorus grenade to trick Phage into consuming it. The grenade detonated inside Phage, killing him and ending the threat.[4]
Alternate Realities[]
Sony's Spider-Man Universe (Earth-688)[]
The Xenophages are creatures that serve and are created by Knull in order to hunt down all of his created symbiotes and kill them.[5]Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Metamorphs: Xenophages possessed metamorphic abilities similar to symbiotes, allowing them to change their shape, size, and texture. The Xenophage that stalked Venom convincingly disguised itself as a China cabinet, complete with dishes and glass. Additionally, it could hide the entire mass of an incapacitated Scream within its bulk.
- Exoskeleton: Xenophages also had an armored exoskeleton with no pain receptors, providing significant defense against most conventional weaponry. Beyond their enormous size and superior strength.[1]
- Neurotoxin: Xenophages had the ability to exhale a fiery neurotoxin that paralyzed symbiotes and "enhanced their flavor."[1]
- Symbiote Detection: Phage possessed an acute ability to sense and track symbiotes, allowing it to locate them with remarkable precision over great distances. This ability made it a relentless and efficient predator, capable of honing in on its targets even in densely populated urban environments or when the symbiotes attempted to conceal themselves. This tracking capability was a crucial aspect of Phage's hunting strategy, ensuring that no symbiote could escape its pursuit for long.[1]