Warning: contains spoilers for Venom #30!
The decades-long rivalry between Venom and Carnage has just changed forever, thanks to one heart-breaking death. The two have been bitter adversaries since the early 1990s, and while Venom has in time drifted to anti-hero status, Carnage remains unredeemable. With Venom’s ascent to the role of King in Black, it was only a matter of time before Carnage reared his head, and their rivalry changes forever in Venom #30.
Venom #30 is written by Al Ewing and drawn by Cafu and Rafael Pimentel. After slaughtering Meridius, Carnage fights Venom and other symbiotes in the Garden of Time. Carnage boasts how “anti-climatic” the battle is, then alluding to killing a “brat.” Carnage laments he spent years on “the wrong Brock,” which catches Venom’s attention.
Carnage clarifies, saying he killed Dylan–and Venom is next. Carnage then assumes a defiant pose, challenging Venom to attack him.
Carnage and Venom Have Always Been at Odds With Each Other
Yet Venom Has Become More Heroic While Carnage Remains Evil
Given the intense hatred that exists between Venom and Carnage, it might come as a surprise that the former sired the latter. Both Eddie Brock and Cletus Kasady served time together, and during their internment, Cletus bonded with a sliver of Brock’s symbiote, which turned him into Carnage. Whereas Venom had depth and nuance, Carnage killed simply because he liked it. Over time, Venom largely redeemed himself, becoming more heroic, and a good deal of it is thanks to his son Dylan. Introduced during Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s seminal run, Dylan is as powerful as his father.
Dylan Brock provided Venom with a stabilizing factor in his life, one that allowed him to work through his anger and other personal issues. By letting Dylan into his life, Venom signified he was ready for more, to progress beyond being a “Lethal Protector.” Shortly after Dylan came into Venom’s life, Knull, the King in Black, attacked Earth, and Venom was crucial in his defeat. After Knull’s death, Venom becomes the new King in Black. In a dark twist to Venom’s journey, Carnage too has been on the rise, killing his way to becoming a god.
Killing Dylan Brock Might Have Been Carnage’s Biggest Mistake
Venom Will Stop At Nothing to Avenge His Son
And Carnage’s path took him right to Dylan Brock, who he promptly killed. While Carnage thinks he may have gotten one over on Venom, Cletus may have underestimated him. Venom went to insane lengths for his son during Knull’s attack, and if Carnage has really killed Dylan, it might be the last time he does. Venom will seek retribution for Dylan, and without his son to anchor him, Venom could cross a line, namely killing Carnage. Carnage may have flipped the script on their dynamic, but he may have also sealed his fate.
Venom #30 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!
Venom #30 (2024) | |
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