Comic Review: Absolute Carnage (2019-) #2

Absolute Carnage (2019-) #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artist: Ryan Stegman

To borrow a line from the 2018 cinematic masterpiece Venom, “There’s gonna be carnage.” That’s how this Absolute Carnage event is shaping out to be. Carnage is back, this time with a power boost from the symbiote God Knull. He’s got an army of carnage-ized minions and he’s hunting down anybody that’s ever had a symbiote. Standing in his way is Venom and Spider-Man, both also notable wearers of symbiotes. But, so far, things aren’t going their way.

Absolute Carnage #2 continues from #1, with Venom and Spidey fighting their way out of the Ravencroft Institute, with Carnage and his army surrounding them. The duo escapes, and split up to search out anyone who is a target for Carnage. This leads Venom to Scorpion and Miles Morales, both fighting Carnage minions in the street. But things don’t turn out well for the heroes.

This issue feels short, but I know why. Issue #1 is 60-ish pages, and this one is the standard 22. Comparing the two, this one just chugs along at a relatively quick pace. But there’s a major development in the story in this one too. Knull and all this symbiote stuff is like Donny Cates’ baby, working towards this since his run on Venom started last year. And it’s cool to see it playing out. Spider-Man feels as in character as ever, same with Venom and Miles Morales. Carnage feels like a legitimate threat, which is usually one of my biggest concerns with any comic book event.

The art in this book is stunning. For as good as the story is (and I think highly of it so far) I think the art might be better. The first page of this issue is a headshot of Carnage and Cletus Kasady’s face split in six panels. It’s great to look at, but creepy in the way only Carnage can be. On top of it all, I think the colors really sell everything about the rest of the book. It’s a usual gray, rainy night in New York, but Carnage and his minions are a black/red that stands out. They all have a kind of literal glow going on. The whole art team just kills it in this issue.

This is a great issue, in what is looking to be a great comics event. My one problem with this issue, it feels a little too fast, is just a personal thing for me. There are some stakes going on in the story, and some developments happen that have an impact. The art is fantastic in every aspect. Venom and Carnage wouldn’t be in my top ten favorite characters, but even as a casual fan, I think everyone should be reading this comic. 

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