Phillip Creary / March 12, 2025
Eddie Brock has been known by many names: Venom, Anti-Venom, and even King in Black. But his latest symbiote pairing might be his darkest yet—he’s bonded with Carnage! Can Eddie keep Carnage’s insatiable bloodlust in check? Or will he succumb to the madness and carnage?
Let’s find out!
To be honest, my Venom knowledge is rooted in the ’90s, back when he was Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis. Things have certainly changed. Venom’s evolved far beyond his original storyline, and frankly, my understanding of him hasn’t kept pace. The same goes for Carnage, though I’ve always been drawn to his design. So, with the new #1 issue, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to jump back in—and I’m glad I did! Charles Soule and Jesus Saiz, the creative team behind Carnage, swiftly return with a sort of reset in Eddy Brock: Carnage #1. While some backstory might be helpful, new readers can easily jump right in. We’re reintroduced to Eddie, a man who’s clearly been through the wringer. Facing death, he made a desperate deal with the devil—Carnage. Jesus Saiz’s dark and gritty art creates a palpable tension in every panel. While Matt Hollingsworth’s rich, blood-soaked colors amplify the danger on each page.
High above the clouds, Eddie Brock is hot on the trail of a serial killer. Carnage’s voice echoes in his mind, a cacophony of disturbing thoughts. Eddie only has a vague description of his target, but he’s armed with Carnage’s unique abilities. Tendrils snake out, probing the confines of the aircraft in a grotesque search. Eddie’s journalistic instincts kick in as he uses his sharp eye for detail to narrow down the killer’s possible location. Using Carnage’s tendrils, he taps into the minds of the passengers, a disturbing invasion of privacy, sifting through their memories for any hint of the murderer. The killer is finally identified, and as Eddie moves to apprehend them, chaos erupts—the plane is going down! But the surprises don’t end there. It becomes clear that Carnage isn’t just along for the ride; he has his own agenda, and Eddie might not be in control after all.
Charles Soule immediately establishes the story’s tone, making it clear this isn’t a buddy cop dynamic but a hostage situation—and a multifaceted one at that. My Carnage knowledge is admittedly limited to his reputation as an ultra-violent symbiote. While he certainly lives up to that here, he’s also surprisingly funny. I can’t imagine putting up with his constant chatter like Eddie does. The premise—finding a serial killer on a plane—is simple, but the execution is anything but. Soule clearly lays out Eddie and Carnage’s motivations from the start, no prior knowledge required (though I might finally dive into the “King in Black” event after this). Jesus Saiz’s art, as always, is a treat. I’m a sucker for darkly shaded, hyper-realistic comics, and his work has a real weight to it. The panel with Carnage’s tendrils snaking into people’s mouths and noses was absolutely chilling! Matt Hollingsworth’s colors are phenomenal. His use of red is foreboding, creepy, and utterly captivating—it’s impossible to look away (in the best way). And Joe Sabino’s “Krrrrslsh” sound effect perfectly punctuates Saiz’s first full-body Carnage reveal.
After nearly a decade, and a continuous run since the 2016 “Rebirth” initiative, Batman is getting a new #1. This relaunch is a powerful reflection of his enduring legacy, the creative magnetism he possesses, and the timeless resonance of his war on crime. I’m genuinely pumped for this new beginning, and honestly, the new costume is pretty cool.
This new Eddie Brock Carnage #1 comic serves as a great jumping-on point for readers, even those with limited Carnage knowledge. The story follows Eddie Brock as he hunts a serial killer on a plane, complicated by the fact that he’s bonded to Carnage, who has his own sinister agenda. The creative team delivers a compelling narrative with striking, gritty art and intense colors, making for a thrilling and disturbing read.
Review Infographic Area:
Rating: 10/10 KABOOM!
This new Eddie Brock Carnage #1 comic serves as a great jumping-on point for readers, even those with limited Carnage knowledge. The story follows Eddie Brock as he hunts a serial killer on a plane, complicated by the fact that he’s bonded to Carnage, who has his own sinister agenda. The creative team delivers a compelling narrative with striking, gritty art and intense colors, making for a thrilling and disturbing read.