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Absolute Carnage
Absolute Carnage Omnibus
The lethal killer Cletus Kasady casts his symbiotic tendrils across the Marvel Universe as the blockbuster epic ABSOLUTE CARNAGE is collected in one gigantic hardcover! Carnage is targeting everyone who has ever worn a symbiote - and that's a lot of potential victims, even for him! Naturally, Kasady's new reign of terror spells misery for Spider-Man and Venom - but the devastation is felt by Miles Morales, the Avengers, Deadpool, Ghost Rider, the Immortal Hulk and more! But what is Kasady's horrific endgame? Experience a new level of crazy as Carnage runs wild! COLLECTING: ABSOLUTE CARNAGE (2019) 1-5, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE VS. DEADPOOL (2019) 1-3, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: CAPTAIN MARVEL (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: IMMORTAL HULK (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SYMBIOTE OF VENGEANCE (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: LETHAL PROTECTORS (2019) 1-3, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: AVENGERS (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: MILES MORALES (2019) 1-3, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: WEAPON PLUS (2019) 1, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SCREAM (2019) 1-3, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: SEPARATION ANXIETY (2019) 1, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) 29-31, VENOM (2018) 16-20, AND ABSOLUTE CARNAGE STINGER PAGES
880 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2020
14 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 1, 2020
Personally, I really liked the main story event. Absolute carnage 1-5. Def worth the read. Although this whole event is one big set up for the next upcoming event. So dont go into this expecting a complete story. But it is rather good regardless. The venom issues are also good and worth reading.
But...
The crossover mini series and one shots? I wouldnt call them bad, but if you didnt read then, you wouldnt be missing much. The only one that I kinda liked was "lethal protectors". That includes alot from the "maximum carnage" storyline from years ago. So that was kinda cool. It was basically the reunion of most of the heroes that fought carnage together during maximum carnage. It even had Carnage's old team going him again and becoming his chief enforcers. But beyond that one? Most can be skipped.
The omnibus is played out in order of series. So nothing is in chronological order. So you are jumping all over the place storywise. I will never understand why they do this. Put it in as the issues were released. That's how it was meant to be read in the first place, but that's just me.
But...
The crossover mini series and one shots? I wouldnt call them bad, but if you didnt read then, you wouldnt be missing much. The only one that I kinda liked was "lethal protectors". That includes alot from the "maximum carnage" storyline from years ago. So that was kinda cool. It was basically the reunion of most of the heroes that fought carnage together during maximum carnage. It even had Carnage's old team going him again and becoming his chief enforcers. But beyond that one? Most can be skipped.
The omnibus is played out in order of series. So nothing is in chronological order. So you are jumping all over the place storywise. I will never understand why they do this. Put it in as the issues were released. That's how it was meant to be read in the first place, but that's just me.
June 10, 2021
Main arc and venom issues are very good. 5 stars. However tie-ins are , in their majority, boring as hell. Marvel did not help it either, with a lousy mapping. First the main series and then all the tie ins. Personally I would prefer chronological order or even release date.
June 26, 2025
Reviewing Absolute Carnage as an omnibus is a unique challenge. Let me start by saying that the actual event of Absolute Carnage is one of my favorite comic events ever. It's dramatic, edgy, and super fucking fun—probably one of the most enjoyable events I've ever read. It manages to feel both big-scale and small-scale at the same time.
For those unfamiliar, Absolute Carnage centers around Carnage attempting to collect "codexes" from individuals who have previously worn symbiote suits. This involves him literally ripping out spines to extract these codexes. Simultaneously, Venom is desperately trying to stop him, as Carnage's actions threaten to awaken Knull, a "mega God" and one of the most powerful beings ever, who actually created the symbiotes. During this event, Venom even seeks help from Peter Parker, and they essentially team up to stop Carnage, who is incredibly souped-up and powerful throughout the storyline.
That's the basic premise of Absolute Carnage, and it's a blast!
Now, let's talk about the tie-ins. On the positive side, the Miles Morales tie-in is actually pretty fun, with good art and some solid fight sequences. I genuinely enjoyed this one. The tie-in featuring Misty Knight getting kidnapped isn't too bad either; it's surprisingly entertaining overall. The best tie-in, however, is undoubtedly the Venom series, which is strongly connected to Absolute Carnage because it's by the same writer, Donny Cates. This tie-in serves as a great companion piece to the main event. There are also a couple of decent one-shots, like the Symbiote and Immortal Hulk issues.
On the flip side, some tie-ins are just okay. The Scream one, for example, isn't great but is passable. Unfortunately, there are also some pretty bad one-shots that really go nowhere. And the Deadpool vs. Carnage tie-in is absolutely ridiculous; its humor often falls flat, even if it has one or two good gags.
One major quirk is the omnibus's mapping. You get the entire Absolute Carnage event right at the beginning, followed by all the tie-ins. This means you already know how the main event concludes before you read the connected stories, which can be frustrating if you prefer to read things in chronological order for big events to fully connect. It makes you wonder, "Are they fucking with me, Marvel?"
Despite that, Absolute Carnage is a very fun and quick read. I finished it in two days. The main event itself is almost a 5 out of 5 for how much fun it delivers. Overall, I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5. It's definitely worth reading for Carnage and Venom fans, and I think you'll have a lot of fun with the main event, if nothing else.
For those unfamiliar, Absolute Carnage centers around Carnage attempting to collect "codexes" from individuals who have previously worn symbiote suits. This involves him literally ripping out spines to extract these codexes. Simultaneously, Venom is desperately trying to stop him, as Carnage's actions threaten to awaken Knull, a "mega God" and one of the most powerful beings ever, who actually created the symbiotes. During this event, Venom even seeks help from Peter Parker, and they essentially team up to stop Carnage, who is incredibly souped-up and powerful throughout the storyline.
That's the basic premise of Absolute Carnage, and it's a blast!
Now, let's talk about the tie-ins. On the positive side, the Miles Morales tie-in is actually pretty fun, with good art and some solid fight sequences. I genuinely enjoyed this one. The tie-in featuring Misty Knight getting kidnapped isn't too bad either; it's surprisingly entertaining overall. The best tie-in, however, is undoubtedly the Venom series, which is strongly connected to Absolute Carnage because it's by the same writer, Donny Cates. This tie-in serves as a great companion piece to the main event. There are also a couple of decent one-shots, like the Symbiote and Immortal Hulk issues.
On the flip side, some tie-ins are just okay. The Scream one, for example, isn't great but is passable. Unfortunately, there are also some pretty bad one-shots that really go nowhere. And the Deadpool vs. Carnage tie-in is absolutely ridiculous; its humor often falls flat, even if it has one or two good gags.
One major quirk is the omnibus's mapping. You get the entire Absolute Carnage event right at the beginning, followed by all the tie-ins. This means you already know how the main event concludes before you read the connected stories, which can be frustrating if you prefer to read things in chronological order for big events to fully connect. It makes you wonder, "Are they fucking with me, Marvel?"
Despite that, Absolute Carnage is a very fun and quick read. I finished it in two days. The main event itself is almost a 5 out of 5 for how much fun it delivers. Overall, I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5. It's definitely worth reading for Carnage and Venom fans, and I think you'll have a lot of fun with the main event, if nothing else.
November 28, 2020
The absolute standout stories are Venom and Absolute Carnage both written by Cates and Immortal Hulk written by Al Ewing. Some of the other tie-in stories are pretty predictable, but overall this was fun.
July 5, 2025
I typically don’t read Marvel Comics that often. I’ve read Daredevil born again back when I was in High school, and I stay up to date with the MCU and Marvel video games. But I wouldn’t really consider myself a Marvel comic reader. So when my brother offered to lend me his omnibus of the Absolute Carnage line of comic books I thought it would be a good chance for me to explore a side of Marvel that I really haven’t had the opportunity to
The book kicks off right away with the Absolute Carnage Volumes #1-5 and right off the bat Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, and Frank Martin all need to get there credit where credit is due. These panels of comics are gorgeous, there’s a certain ambiance that I could actually feel coming off of the pages and for many of the action shots I would take time after reading it just to admire how beautifully drawn these were. Donny Crates also needs a shoutout, it was clear to me from the very first pages how much love and attention to detail there was to not only Marvel history, but to the very characters that make up the universe. It’s definitely not the best comic book story that I have ever read, it suffers from the force awakens effect where the story has a lot of clear plot holes that can only really be filled by reading more side comics. Plus (spoilers*) the ending is left off on a massive cliffhanger setting up the King in Black series, this isn’t inherently a bad thing however I definitely felt like this book was more of a appetizer rather than a main course (spoilers over*).
Speaking of the force awakens effect we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Despite being an Omnibus and having the full archive of the Absolute Carnage series, this book is not in chronological order. After I finished Absolute Carnage #1-5 I was thrown into Venom #16-20……and then more comics…….and more…….and EVEN MORE. For some True Believers this is the preferred method of reading comic book omnibuses/series. Going through old comic books and finding out why certain things happen, or finding cool Easter eggs that tie into the main series. However for me, reading these comics felt like I was stuck in a seemingly never ending loop of chores. These comics don’t really add much outside of some cool narrative thrillers and some answers to my questions from the main story arc. My favorites (outside of the main story and Venom 16-20) were probably Absolute Carnage Miles Morales, Lethal Protectors, Deadpool, and Symbiote Spiderman, every other comic that I read felt unnecessary and were time killers for me.
I don’t know if this is standard industry practice, truthfully this is the first ever comic omnibus that I have ever read. However honestly, I would’ve loved it if the book was more accessible to those who want to read this book in as close to chronological order as they possibly can. I feel like that way, the Marvel characters would be more integrated into the actual story instead of feeling like an unimportant side story that you have to read to get through to the end of the book. And if there really was no way to change the order of the comic books, then the least that they could’ve done was put the original release date on each of the comic books so readers who do want to have that experience can read the books in the way that they were released in the market.
Despite its flaws, this truly is the best that Venom and Carnage have ever been and it’s not even close. I enjoyed my time reading through this story and I am excited to see where this storyline will go in future books and what is the next for Marvel.
3/5⭐️
The book kicks off right away with the Absolute Carnage Volumes #1-5 and right off the bat Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, and Frank Martin all need to get there credit where credit is due. These panels of comics are gorgeous, there’s a certain ambiance that I could actually feel coming off of the pages and for many of the action shots I would take time after reading it just to admire how beautifully drawn these were. Donny Crates also needs a shoutout, it was clear to me from the very first pages how much love and attention to detail there was to not only Marvel history, but to the very characters that make up the universe. It’s definitely not the best comic book story that I have ever read, it suffers from the force awakens effect where the story has a lot of clear plot holes that can only really be filled by reading more side comics. Plus (spoilers*) the ending is left off on a massive cliffhanger setting up the King in Black series, this isn’t inherently a bad thing however I definitely felt like this book was more of a appetizer rather than a main course (spoilers over*).
Speaking of the force awakens effect we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Despite being an Omnibus and having the full archive of the Absolute Carnage series, this book is not in chronological order. After I finished Absolute Carnage #1-5 I was thrown into Venom #16-20……and then more comics…….and more…….and EVEN MORE. For some True Believers this is the preferred method of reading comic book omnibuses/series. Going through old comic books and finding out why certain things happen, or finding cool Easter eggs that tie into the main series. However for me, reading these comics felt like I was stuck in a seemingly never ending loop of chores. These comics don’t really add much outside of some cool narrative thrillers and some answers to my questions from the main story arc. My favorites (outside of the main story and Venom 16-20) were probably Absolute Carnage Miles Morales, Lethal Protectors, Deadpool, and Symbiote Spiderman, every other comic that I read felt unnecessary and were time killers for me.
I don’t know if this is standard industry practice, truthfully this is the first ever comic omnibus that I have ever read. However honestly, I would’ve loved it if the book was more accessible to those who want to read this book in as close to chronological order as they possibly can. I feel like that way, the Marvel characters would be more integrated into the actual story instead of feeling like an unimportant side story that you have to read to get through to the end of the book. And if there really was no way to change the order of the comic books, then the least that they could’ve done was put the original release date on each of the comic books so readers who do want to have that experience can read the books in the way that they were released in the market.
Despite its flaws, this truly is the best that Venom and Carnage have ever been and it’s not even close. I enjoyed my time reading through this story and I am excited to see where this storyline will go in future books and what is the next for Marvel.
3/5⭐️
March 6, 2021
I decided to do a trial month of Marvel Unlimited, which gave me access to this beefy event and all its tie-ins in one conveniently organized in chronological order. I wish the bound editions all had the same thought put into them!
In short, this is a lot of Carnage. I’ve always enjoyed Venom, but Carnage has always been so over the top for me that it’s off putting. Cates ties this in with the Knull mythology he’s been building and turns Carnage into a cosmic prophet of sticky symbiote doom.
Just okay as far as events go. Marvel Unlimited is boss though!
In short, this is a lot of Carnage. I’ve always enjoyed Venom, but Carnage has always been so over the top for me that it’s off putting. Cates ties this in with the Knull mythology he’s been building and turns Carnage into a cosmic prophet of sticky symbiote doom.
Just okay as far as events go. Marvel Unlimited is boss though!
August 13, 2024
Absolutely amazing. Stegman art is top notch, love every panel he made. The main book is consistently good, high stakes, good action, great story and interactions. The tie-ins are the ones holding this back from the 5 stars. Venom and ASM ones are very good, the Miles one is good but makes no sense in the main story continuity, they failed to incorporate it correctly, Deadpool is fun but also kind of its own thing, Avengers is fine, the Ghost Rider one a beautiful introduction, Scream and Lethal Protectors are meh.
January 4, 2023
Hodnotím omnibus a jeho zpracování ne příběh:
- žádný reading order, nejdřív event pak Venom a pak hovna kolem
- žádný reading order, nejdřív event pak Venom a pak hovna kolem
May 27, 2021
Another absolutely bloated modern comic book event. The majority of the tie ins for this event seem to primarily exist to shoe horn in as many Maximum Carnage and Lethal Protector references/call backs as possible. Absolute Carnage fails in the same way many modern comic book events fail, it’s sole purpose seems to be the setting up of another event, and often at the cost of the current story.
With a title like “Absolute Carnage” you would not expect the character of Carnage to feel like a third or fourth string character. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. For the majority of this event Carnage feels like little more than a faceless presence, almost a secondary macguffin. In fact if you replace Carnage with basically any other symbiote, even a new one created for the event, it would have little impact on the overall story (other than the Maximum Carnage references). The one true glimpse we see of classic Carnage/Cletus Kasady comes in the Amazing Spider-Man tieins. However, it isn’t Cletus at all, but Norman Osbourne brainwashed by the symbiote to think he’s Cletus.
For all its shortcomings, if you are a Spider-Man and/or Venom fan this event is still at least worth a read, especially if you have been a fan of Donny Cates’ work on Venom leading up to this event. In fact one of the few ways this book actually works for me is a couple of character moments/developments with Eddie Brock/Venom.
With a title like “Absolute Carnage” you would not expect the character of Carnage to feel like a third or fourth string character. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. For the majority of this event Carnage feels like little more than a faceless presence, almost a secondary macguffin. In fact if you replace Carnage with basically any other symbiote, even a new one created for the event, it would have little impact on the overall story (other than the Maximum Carnage references). The one true glimpse we see of classic Carnage/Cletus Kasady comes in the Amazing Spider-Man tieins. However, it isn’t Cletus at all, but Norman Osbourne brainwashed by the symbiote to think he’s Cletus.
For all its shortcomings, if you are a Spider-Man and/or Venom fan this event is still at least worth a read, especially if you have been a fan of Donny Cates’ work on Venom leading up to this event. In fact one of the few ways this book actually works for me is a couple of character moments/developments with Eddie Brock/Venom.
September 7, 2023
After being disappointed by the incredibly 1990s, and stuffed full of dragged out, redundant material (the entire thing could and should have listed six issues) 'Maximum Carnage' run I was unsure about tackling this one but, on a friend's recommendation, decided to give it a try. It's a big improvement. At 30+ issues, this entire event may seem like a hefty one but I read the roughly 100 issue Secret Invasion late last year and earlier this year and in comparison, this one felt more than manageable.
While the main event - the five issue Absolute Carnage story is the highlight there's a lot of other entertaining, quality runs in here as well. The Venom issues are mostly great, as are the pace-and-tone varying Deadpool ones. Some of the one-shots don't work as well, though the Immortal Hulk one is very good, showcasing the wildly imaginative nature of Al Ewing's series. But overall, the quality is consistently high. The artwork, of course varies greatly but all the artists drawing Carnage, whatever their styles, capture the the menacing madness of the character and, as he goes on his spine-scoffing rampage through New York and beyond, his ever-increasing powers.
Considering all this exists to set up another, bigger event in King in Black, and so doesn't really have a strong or decisive ending, this is still an ambitious, addictive and violent horror-tinged story that's well worth a look.
While the main event - the five issue Absolute Carnage story is the highlight there's a lot of other entertaining, quality runs in here as well. The Venom issues are mostly great, as are the pace-and-tone varying Deadpool ones. Some of the one-shots don't work as well, though the Immortal Hulk one is very good, showcasing the wildly imaginative nature of Al Ewing's series. But overall, the quality is consistently high. The artwork, of course varies greatly but all the artists drawing Carnage, whatever their styles, capture the the menacing madness of the character and, as he goes on his spine-scoffing rampage through New York and beyond, his ever-increasing powers.
Considering all this exists to set up another, bigger event in King in Black, and so doesn't really have a strong or decisive ending, this is still an ambitious, addictive and violent horror-tinged story that's well worth a look.
September 28, 2023
If there are any fans of this crossover disappointed by my low ranking, don’t be. Two stars is far more reflective of how I feel about the presentation in this omnibus than the story itself.
I actually enjoyed this quite a bit.
However…
I had to constantly flip back and forth reading this because other Marvel omnibuses reprinting crossovers from this era had taught me that it’s best to look up a reading order guide first. And thank Knull, I did! Because if I read this in the order it was printed in, it’d be a one star review.
Do NOT read this as it is. And Marvel needs to fire whoever is editing these major crossover storylines from the last 15-20 years in omnibus form. Lead-in pages from other comics at the end of the book? Events referenced over and over again that aren’t shown until just before the lead-ins? Someone got lazy and just put all the trade together AS IS and called it a day with no thought to those hardcore fans that actually read these like books!
For those wondering, I used marvelguides.com as my reference point. And this is definitely worth reading based on their order, including the arcs in related tie-in ongoing titles just before the even and epilogues after. Can’t recommend it enough.
But seriously, Marvel…hire a new editor for these omnibuses.
I actually enjoyed this quite a bit.
However…
I had to constantly flip back and forth reading this because other Marvel omnibuses reprinting crossovers from this era had taught me that it’s best to look up a reading order guide first. And thank Knull, I did! Because if I read this in the order it was printed in, it’d be a one star review.
Do NOT read this as it is. And Marvel needs to fire whoever is editing these major crossover storylines from the last 15-20 years in omnibus form. Lead-in pages from other comics at the end of the book? Events referenced over and over again that aren’t shown until just before the lead-ins? Someone got lazy and just put all the trade together AS IS and called it a day with no thought to those hardcore fans that actually read these like books!
For those wondering, I used marvelguides.com as my reference point. And this is definitely worth reading based on their order, including the arcs in related tie-in ongoing titles just before the even and epilogues after. Can’t recommend it enough.
But seriously, Marvel…hire a new editor for these omnibuses.
October 28, 2024
I had originally read the TPB for Absolute Carnage and enjoyed, so thought to indulge in the spinoffs with this. Unfortunately I found that they didn't add much, and the omnibus mapping was horrendous - with many of the official and unofficial reading orders being drastically wrong. It is weird as it seems like you should be able to chronologically order them with ease - though I haven't given it a go.
Overall, the main story is good but is not benefitted much by the extras. The art is stunning, and the dialogue is great too for most of it. The book itself is good-looking so that adds a lil something.
Good - 6/10
Overall, the main story is good but is not benefitted much by the extras. The art is stunning, and the dialogue is great too for most of it. The book itself is good-looking so that adds a lil something.
Good - 6/10
December 17, 2020
I've basically gone since the beginning ignoring Venom, Carnage and the whole symbiote thing. It always just seemed the worst of the 90s faux-gritty excess. However, Cates' Venom turned me on the character, and this continued that redemption. It's a fun miniseries, and there are some good tie-ins. It's not the complete success War of the Realms is, but there's an awful lot of good here.
I did find the mapping a issue. While I liked the approach in WotR, the main series here, standing on its own, feels very disjointed.
I did find the mapping a issue. While I liked the approach in WotR, the main series here, standing on its own, feels very disjointed.
April 4, 2021
Actionfyldt med ikke alt for mange tie-ins og dem der var, var næsten alle tiden og oplevelsen værd.
Forstår dog ikke hvordan Brock kan “symbiote up” med codex fra cap, wolverine, thing og hawkeye, Nu når de selv ikke har været påvirket af dem.
Men jeg var underholdt hele vejen igennem!
Nok tættere på 4,5* egentlig.
Forstår dog ikke hvordan Brock kan “symbiote up” med codex fra cap, wolverine, thing og hawkeye, Nu når de selv ikke har været påvirket af dem.
Men jeg var underholdt hele vejen igennem!
Nok tættere på 4,5* egentlig.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2022
The main event was an enjoyable read. Really good story and the art was incredible! Most of the tie-ins fell flat however there were some really good one shots added after the tie-ins!
If your deciding between this book and the King in Black omni or the Cates Venomnibus, go with the Venomnibus, the mapping will be better and the tie ins were not necessary to understand the story.
If your deciding between this book and the King in Black omni or the Cates Venomnibus, go with the Venomnibus, the mapping will be better and the tie ins were not necessary to understand the story.
March 14, 2021
The main Absolute Carnage story is a five star comic and the best event Marvel has released is a while. Cates Venom tie in issues are also pretty great.
The rest of the the tie-ins vary in quality and while most are quite entertaining none are essential to the main story.
The rest of the the tie-ins vary in quality and while most are quite entertaining none are essential to the main story.
December 29, 2021
Very much enjoyed the main book and the Venom issues. More than a few if the tie ins seemed unnecessary. And often seemed to contradict each other in terms of where a character is left off vs where they are when we see them again
January 9, 2021
I liked the main story a lot just some of the tie-ins weren't so great and some were even boring
January 15, 2021
Not every story is equally great, but it's a fun collection.
February 21, 2021
Wow, what a read this is. Great from page to page. Main story is brilliant and the tie ins are good as well.
November 26, 2021
The main story is good but structually the Omnibus was kind of a mess in my opinion. I would have prefered a chronological order with the tie-ins to the Absolute Carnage story line. 3 stars
March 4, 2023
Absolute nonsense, I loved it.
March 20, 2023
3.5
All over the place.
All over the place.
March 26, 2023
The story is good but the mapping on this is terrible check the reading order and get some post its because this is not mapped chronologically
August 26, 2025
Just buy the trade paperback of the event, the tie ins aren't that good and the mapping is horrible.
November 6, 2025
★★★★★ — 4.75/5
There’s something special about the way Absolute Carnage crawls under your skin—like the symbiote itself whispering in your ear, daring you to turn the next page. Donny Cates doesn’t just write horror; he infects it with heart, weaving a story that drips with chaos, violence, and an odd sense of purpose. This is a comic event that doesn’t just show Carnage—it summons him.
Carnage here isn’t just a villain. He’s the embodiment of unfiltered madness, pure hunger, a walking infection that believes pain is worship. Cletus Kasady, merged with the symbiote once more, is the kind of nightmare that doesn’t chase you—it smiles, waiting for you to slip. He’s horror incarnate, yet somehow magnetic, a figure who takes the worst of humanity and gives it a symbiotic shape.
And then there’s Venom—the mirror to all of it. Eddie Brock’s story in this omnibus runs deep, a father, a fighter, a flawed man trying to define his bond with the same alien power that once made him monstrous. Venom is redemption written in black ink, thick and heavy, standing against the darkness he used to embrace.
But above all this blood and darkness, there’s Spider-Man. Peter Parker, the everyman hero. Among gods and monsters, he’s still the one holding on to the idea that responsibility means something. While others drown in power or fear, Spidey still fights with heart, humor, and a weight that no symbiote could ever match. Cates writes him as the light barely keeping back the tide, the quiet strength that reminds you why we love this world in the first place.
Every villain in Spider-Man’s world brings something wild to the table—Goblin’s insanity, Octavius’ ego, the Lizard’s primal fear—but Carnage and Venom are on another level. They aren’t just evil; they tempt. They pull you toward them, promise strength, freedom, even purpose… and that’s what makes them truly terrifying.
Absolute Carnage is everything comic storytelling should be: relentless, stylish, dark, and full of soul. It’s a symbiotic fever dream of heroism and horror—and when it ends, you’re left wanting more, even though part of you knows you shouldn’t.
It’s not just a Spider-Man story. It’s a meditation on what happens when power stops being a gift and becomes an appetite.
There’s something special about the way Absolute Carnage crawls under your skin—like the symbiote itself whispering in your ear, daring you to turn the next page. Donny Cates doesn’t just write horror; he infects it with heart, weaving a story that drips with chaos, violence, and an odd sense of purpose. This is a comic event that doesn’t just show Carnage—it summons him.
Carnage here isn’t just a villain. He’s the embodiment of unfiltered madness, pure hunger, a walking infection that believes pain is worship. Cletus Kasady, merged with the symbiote once more, is the kind of nightmare that doesn’t chase you—it smiles, waiting for you to slip. He’s horror incarnate, yet somehow magnetic, a figure who takes the worst of humanity and gives it a symbiotic shape.
And then there’s Venom—the mirror to all of it. Eddie Brock’s story in this omnibus runs deep, a father, a fighter, a flawed man trying to define his bond with the same alien power that once made him monstrous. Venom is redemption written in black ink, thick and heavy, standing against the darkness he used to embrace.
But above all this blood and darkness, there’s Spider-Man. Peter Parker, the everyman hero. Among gods and monsters, he’s still the one holding on to the idea that responsibility means something. While others drown in power or fear, Spidey still fights with heart, humor, and a weight that no symbiote could ever match. Cates writes him as the light barely keeping back the tide, the quiet strength that reminds you why we love this world in the first place.
Every villain in Spider-Man’s world brings something wild to the table—Goblin’s insanity, Octavius’ ego, the Lizard’s primal fear—but Carnage and Venom are on another level. They aren’t just evil; they tempt. They pull you toward them, promise strength, freedom, even purpose… and that’s what makes them truly terrifying.
Absolute Carnage is everything comic storytelling should be: relentless, stylish, dark, and full of soul. It’s a symbiotic fever dream of heroism and horror—and when it ends, you’re left wanting more, even though part of you knows you shouldn’t.
It’s not just a Spider-Man story. It’s a meditation on what happens when power stops being a gift and becomes an appetite.
June 29, 2021
Quite liked it even though it’s clearly a pit stop event before King in Black. The tie-ins are a mixed bag but overall are quite good even when they barely connect firmly to the main story. Donny Cates’ Venom saga is progressing quite enjoyably. Can’t wait for the next hardcovers and omnibus volumes in his and Stegman’s (main story artist) run on Venom. It’s very good at doing what it aims to do and I anticipate what comes next.
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