Venom Symbiote

[Gnarth]

Hi, folks! I just found the RPF, this is both my first thread here and my first foray into costuming.

My concept is to portray the Venom symbiote overtaking its host, showing it mid-transformation. I had a hard time finding comic reference for exactly the look I had in mind, but here are some that hit close to the mark:


The below photos are from the first version of the costume, used for a Halloween party last year. I'm working on improvements, both in design and in implementation. I'm using liquid latex, applied directly to my skin, for the symbiote. I've seen some wonderful suits, but I want a more organic effect, something that evokes the same vision of Venom that I grew up imagining. The rest of this first version of the costume was a Venom tank top and black jeans, nothing special.

Eddie Brock has been known to put the white chest spider onto his normal clothes (see below for reference) so I don't think the shirt is too much of a stretch.


First Test (with comic reference):


First full-scale application

Video stills:


The removal process wasn't painful, but it did look shockingly appropriate for a symbiote.


I do have improvements planned, but I'd like some community feedback while it's in development. =D

 

[cha0tic]

That looks really awesome man, love the concept. Its original!

 

[Grampsee]

Nice! For your hand did you just wear some claw-like glove and paint with the latex over it?

 

[Gnarth]

Nice! For your hand did you just wear some claw-like glove and paint with the latex over it?

I found some "monster fingers" at a Halloween shop and cut them down to size, then covered them with latex along with my hand. This gave it a consistent look, and (mostly) covered the seams. Here's a detail shot from the initial hand-only test, it should help clarify things. =D



The fingers moved pretty well, but weren't comfortable after a few hours. It also prevented me from driving, I didn't trust my ability to handle the wheel with that hand. In the future I'd like to switch to fingertip claws instead of encasing my whole fingers.

 

[Gnarth]

Here's a mockup of one upgrade that I'm hoping to implement with the next version of the costume!



The details will change, and I haven't finished figuring out all of the technical aspects, but one white eye is absolutely going to happen. =D

 

[chazdragon]

i imagine it was no fun to remove all of that latex from your head. But it looks like it was worth it have you done any more with the next version... you have the artistic flair my friend. I am going to the August Comic-con in Chicago and taking my own rendition of the Venom symbiote overtaking its host, check out my link and let me know what you think. would love to meet another Venom fan at the Con.
http://www.therpf.com/f62/venom-suit-help-212708/

 

[Gnarth]

Your efforts are absolutely paying off, that looks amazing! The detail work and sculpting is wonderful, sir. =D

I've been putting a lot of work into the design again recently; I'll be suiting up tomorrow (Saturday) for a superhero-themed costume party, and then next weekend is Heroes Con here in Charlotte, NC.

I've completely changed the claws, they're now sculpted fingertip caps that are just latexed over with the rest of the hand.

I've been working on the logistics of actually covering my nose and eye with the latex, and have been really successful. I've done tests with different materials, and tonight I plan to try using one-way plastic with a newer, more aggressive eye pattern. There will be pictures of everything posted once I'm fully suited up, of course! =D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gnarth]

Here are some photos from the tests described above.

My new claws, by themselves and with a latex coating:


The two eye/nose cover tests that have been completed so far:

Test 1 was just latex, so it was completely opaque. Test 2 used a piece of the first fabric that I picked up for the purpose, and allowed about 10% visiblity. Not enough to allow for depth perception, murky shapes at the very best.

 

[Vox]

Man, with the way that peels off your skin, you should totally do a filmed version, recreating the (any) scene from the bell tower! I love the half-covered look of it all. Well done.

 

[chazdragon]

Did you fabricate a facial prosthetic for the eye/ fabric peace? or did you simply lay the fabric in place and work the latex around it. Ether way it looks great. And I agree with Vox the way the latex peels of would be awesome in a bell tower scene. Or a great effect on stage if you were to enter in a cosplay contest.

 

[thejakemoore]

I definitely like the cloth version better. Not a fan of the texture on the opaque one.

 

[Gnarth]

Thanks, everyone! =D

Did you fabricate a facial prosthetic for the eye/ fabric peace? or did you simply lay the fabric in place and work the latex around it.

Test 2 was a mix of both techniques. It was a one-time-use appliqué, made by painting latex in the proper shape onto a flat surface, then laying in the fabric and painting up around it. Once everything dried, I was able to peel it off and apply it. I liked the effect and look, but I wasn’t able to make it as taut as I feel it should be, so there was some waviness to the fabric.

I definitely like the cloth version better. Not a fan of the texture on the opaque one.

Yeah, the texture really killed the effect for that test. If I ever go back to a purely opaque version, I won’t be painting it on that same way.


After putting a lot of thought into the design, I decided that the look I've been achieving so far isn't aggressive enough. It's time to take it up a notch.

Reviewing some of the comic reference images that I had set aside, I noticed that the shape of the eyes was way too small and round. Here's a Photoshop mockup of the first version of the costume, altered to factor in a covered eye and nose, with the new shape:



With the new design decided, new claws, some one-way mirrored plastic fashioned into a giant lens, and a superhero-themed party to attend, it was time to try Mark 2.


Here's a shot of the biggest elements of the costume.


Facial/Neck Details


Hand/Claw Details

I was really happy with everything about how it turned out. It was a huge hit at the party, and I’m looking forward to giving it a second run at Heroes Con next weekend. =D

 

[fun4spidey]

Looking Gud

 

[Gnarth]

Here's a short video of the facial detail for Mark 2. =D

 

[Gnarth]

Yesterday I attended Heroes Con 2014, wearing the current version of the Symbiote. Photos! =D


Facial details! =D


I'm pretty happy with how much I was able to disguise my nose in the silhouette. It's taped off to the side, and the eye is built up to cover it really effectively. =D


With Zombie Hunter Velma and Mary Jane cosplayers. =D

 

[chazdragon]

looks like you had fun. liking the new look. Did you steel Red from Parker.. one for team venom

 

[AStylishJedi]

Are you able to see through the mirrored plastic? More so than with the fabric? I'm working on Venom and Carnage costumes for myself and my brother for NYCC, and haven't figure out the best way around the eye part yet.

 

[StaggzCosplay]

Dude, that looks fantastic!!!
I don't know if you addressed this yet, but have you ever thought of wearing fake sharp teeth with it? Similar to what was worn by Venom in Spider Man 3? That may look really cool.