Absolute Carnage (Comics) | Review

Crossover events have always been a gamble for Marvel between spectacular storytelling and overwhelming confusion. With the comic-book landscape saturated by multiverse-shaking events that promise to "change everything forever," readers often find themselves questioning whether another major crossover deserves their attention.

Enter "Absolute Carnage," a symbiote-centered event that manages to cut through the noise with razor-sharp focus and visceral intensity by writer Donny Cates (Doctor Strange: City of Sin, Thanos: Thanos Wins) and artist Ryan Stegman (Inhuman: AXIS, Venom: Rex).

What sets this event apart from typical Marvel spectacle is its intimate scope wrapped in cosmic horror. Rather than juggling dozens of heroes across multiple dimensions, Absolute Carnage zeroes in on the dark legacy of symbiotes.

The event doesn't just promise carnage— it delivers it with surgical precision, making every splash of crimson feel earned. Each violent moment serves the story's larger purpose, avoiding the empty spectacle that often plagues modern crossover events.

The foundation of Absolute Carnage rests on a brilliantly simple yet terrifying concept: what if the most dangerous symbiote in Marvel history returned with a divine purpose? Cletus Kasady, the serial killer who bonded with the Carnage symbiote, has undergone a transformation that elevates him from neighborhood psychopath to cosmic threat.

His new mission involves hunting down anyone who has ever bonded with a symbiote, seeking to harvest the symbiotic codex that remains in their spinal cord even after separation. This biological remnant becomes the key to Carnage's apocalyptic plan.

The premise creates terrible a scenario where past encounters with symbiotes become death sentences, transforming Marvel's symbiote history into a haunting liability. Characters who moved beyond their symbiotic experiences suddenly find themselves marked for death.

This premise immediately raises the stakes beyond typical villain-of-the-month storytelling. It systematically targets characters like Spider-Man, who first encountered the alien costume that became Venom, creating a sense of vulnerability throughout the Marvel universe.

The genius lies in how the story transforms every previous symbiote encounter into a potential death sentence, retroactively adding dramatic weight and newfound significance to decades of established Marvel continuity and character development.

The mythology behind Carnage's ascension connects to cosmic horror elements that feel fresh in superhero genre. Revelation of Knull, the primordial god of symbiotes, adds ancient terror that makes Carnage's rampage feel like religious zealotry rather than random violence.

The cosmic mythology feels grounded in character relationships rather than abstract concepts, making the larger-than-life elements emotionally resonant and personally meaningful to both longtime fans and newcomers to the symbiote saga.

This cosmic backdrop of the event transforms what could have been a straightforward slasher story into something approaching genuine Lovecraftian dread, complete with some ancient mythology and existential horror elements to back it up.

Perhaps most importantly, the event maintains focus on the psychological horror of symbiotic possession. The body horror elements aren't just visual spectacle— they represent genuine character development for both hosts and symbiotes.

The story explores complex themes of identity, parasitism and the fine line between protection and consumption that makes symbiote characters so compelling, delving into the psychological cost of such intimate relationships with an alien entity.

The pacing throughout the main series builds methodically from personal stakes to universe-threatening consequences. Each issue escalates the threat while maintaining character-driven storytelling, avoiding the pitfall of sacrificing development for explosive action.

Donny Cates demonstrates why he's become one of Marvel's most trusted voices for cosmic horror storytelling. His approach builds naturally from his acclaimed run on Venom, creating seamless continuity that rewards long-term readers.

Cates excels at balancing visceral action with character introspection, ensuring that even the most violent sequences serve the larger narrative purpose and contribute meaningfully to character development rather than existing as empty spectacle.

The writer's greatest strength lies in his ability to make symbiotes feel genuinely alien while maintaining their emotional connections to human hosts. Cates carefully treats the symbiotes as complex entities with their own motivations that don't always align with their hosts.

His dialogue captures the distinct voice of each symbiote-host relationship, from Venom's protective instincts to Carnage's nihilistic glee. Each conversation between host and symbiote feels authentic to their unique bond, whether it's the uneasy partnership between Eddie Brock and Venom or the twisted harmony of Cletus Kasady and Carnage.

Ryan Stegman's artwork perfectly complements Cates' vision, delivering some of the most dynamic and disturbing symbiote art in Marvel's history. His design work on symbiote forms showcases incredible creativity, making each creature feel unique and threatening.

The way he renders symbiote transformations emphasizes the body horror aspects while maintaining the superhero aesthetic that makes these characters iconic, creating a perfect balance between disturbing and heroic visual elements.

Stegman's panel layouts deserve special recognition for their kinetic energy and storytelling clarity. Action sequences flow seamlessly from page to page, creating a sense of momentum that mirrors the relentless nature of Carnage's assault.

His use of negative space and shadow work adds atmospheric tension to quieter moments, proving that his skills extend far beyond spectacular action scenes and into the realm of sophisticated visual storytelling.

The collaborative relationship between Cates and Stegman elevates both creators' individual strengths. Their shared vision for symbiote mythology creates a cohesive aesthetic that makes Absolute Carnage feel like a definitive statement on these characters.

The artwork serves the story rather than overwhelming it, maintaining focus on character development while delivering the visual spectacle readers expect from a major Marvel event, striking an ideal balance between substance and style.

Absolute Carnage succeeds where many crossover events fail by maintaining laser focus on its core concept while delivering genuine consequences. The event proves that good storytelling doesn't require reality-shaking scope— sometimes the most impactful stories come from exploring familiar characters in terrifying new circumstances.

The event's greatest achievement lies in its ability to enhance rather than complicate Marvel's symbiote mythology. Rather than retconning existing continuity, Absolute Carnage builds upon decades of storytelling to create something that feels both fresh and inevitable.

The ramifications extend beyond the main series, setting up future storylines while providing a resolution to long-running plot threads. The event's conclusion fundamentally alters symbiote hierarchy and introduces new characters who continue to influence Marvel's cosmic landscape.

For readers seeking a horror-like Marvel superhero experience that delivers on its promises, Absolute Carnage stands as essential reading. The event demonstrates that Marvel's best crossovers come from creative teams with clear vision and editorial support.

In an era of endless multiverse complications and reality-rewriting events, Absolute Carnage offers the rare pleasure of a story that knows exactly what it wants to be and achieves those goals in the end with ruthless efficiency.

You can dive into Absolute Carnage through collected editions available as a hardcover or trade paperback at Amazon or at your local comic shop. Digital readers can find it on ComiXology and Marvel Unlimited, with each tie‑in and main issue available for online reading.