Warning: contains spoilers for Carnage #6!Without his human host, Carnage is almost ready to ascend to godhood, proving symbiotes do not necessarily need a human host. Since his first appearance 30 years ago, Carnage has been bonded to human Cletus Kasady, but the two recently parted ways – and without his host, Carnage is more dangerous than ever, able to challenge and even beat the gods of Asgard. In Carnage #6, on sale now, the terrifying villain is closer than ever to godhood – a move that will spell certain doom for the Marvel Universe.
Carnage is the offspring of Venom; during a stint in prison, Eddie Brock was cellmates with Kasady, a notorious serial killer. During the course of his imprisonment, part of the Venom symbiote infected Kasady, creating a violent new symbiote named Carnage. He would embark on a reign of terror unlike the Marvel Universe had ever seen, using his symbiote-based powers to kill without mercy. Recently, Kasady rejected the symbiote, and Carnage has struck out on its own. Taking powers from other heroes for itself, Carnage has set his eyes on a big prize: the dark elf Malekith. Carnage traveled to Svartalfheim, Malekith’s domain, immediately possessing one of the elves’ sacred hounds, giving him the power he needs to challenge Malekith and the other gods of Asgard. Hela watches the mayhem from afar, and makes an interesting observation about Carnage.
The Carnage symbiote is now partnered (but not bonded) to serial killer Kenneth Neely. The two make their way through Svartalfheim, killing anyone and everything in their way, including the giant-bird-like Rosvelg, who Carnage murders in a gruesome fashion. Unbeknownst to Carnage and Neely, they are being watched by Hela, goddess of the underworld. One of Hela’s underlings is watching the scene, and when Hela learns what the underling saw, she is surprised. Hela recounts how gods love, fight and hate – but in the end their conflicts are petty. Carnage, on the other hand, is not a god, and Hela notes that it is moving “towards higher more existential purpose.” Hela sees an opportunity in Carnage, an opportunity to at last defeat the Gods of Asgard. The issue is written by Ram V, drawn by Rogê Antonio, colored by Erick Arciniega and lettered by Joe Sabino.
Carnage Is on a Quest for Godhood
The issue ends with Malekith’s strength returning, promising an epic showdown with Carnage, but Hela’s observation – that Carnage could be on his way to godhood – shows he no longer needs Cletus Kasady. The Carnage symbiote is pure evil, even without Kasady, and the ruthless method he used to dispatch Rosvelg – essentially overfeeding it on sin until it burst – is terrifying. Rosvelg, while not immortal, is quite powerful, existing on a plane of existence reserved for gods, and Carnage defeated it like it was nothing. As the symbiote’s power continues to grow, it will be able to not only challenge Malekith, but Odin, Thor and the rest of Asgard as well – and maybe even win. Watching the battle unfold, Hela believes she can use Carnage for her own schemes, but she may be biting off more than she can chew.
Carnage’s latest feats are incredibly impressive, but more importantly they’re far in excess of what any symbiote has proved capable of with a human host. While Kasady’s evil has no doubt infected the symbiote aspect of Carnage, it’s only without him that godhood beckons, suggesting a new era of symbiote supremacy is coming – one that makes their dependency on humans, and the limits that came with it, a thing of the past.
Carnage #6 is available now from Marvel Comics.
