Carnage #7
Isaiah Hernandez
Recap
Surrounded by Darkforce, Flash Thompson was submerged in eternity, forced to relive his painful past through his memories. Meanwhile, having destroyed Meridius’ garden of time and the versions of Eddie Brock who inhabited it, the Carnage symbiote returned to Cletus Kasady. Although their reunification restores Cletus’ purpose, lingering feelings of hurt and betrayal remain in the wake of his symbiote’s solo victory. As Carnage returns to the Darkforce dimension to set his iniquitous plans in motion, a shattered Flash Thompson returns to reality…
Review
Carnage #7 wins first place for this month’s most entertaining opening, as Flash Thompson’s daring escape from Carnage’s pocket dimension plops both of them into the middle of a seedy death metal concert. It’s piercings, black clothes, and thrashing manes anywhere Flash looks, the gothic nature of the place serving as cruel irony considering the hell he just went through.
Artist Pere Perez paints a scene so rambunctious that music blaring from the stage’s speakers can almost be heard, transcending the mute medium of comics. Perez welcomes the smoky, grungy atmosphere of the setting, detailing every aspect of it with enough care to bring the scene to life. Even the unnamed band and boisterous crowd, on-page for a mere few panels, are granted individuality through design. The setting brings with it a grindhouse tone, complete with dark humor to liven things up.
Thompson attempts to warn the concertgoers about Carnage’s arrival, but they believe him to be part of the act. It all culminates in the symbiote cleaving the vocalist’s head in half with a barbed wire-covered cross, which should not be as chuckle-worthy as it is. The tussle bleeds out into the street with Flash holding out as long as he can until he has no choice but to use his symbiote in self-defense. This plays right into Carnage’s trap, as he builds up an immunity to the anti-venom until it is no more than a ticklish sting.
If there is one narrative fault, it is that Flash immediately resumes his role as the underdog in this battle, despite having overcome his demons and finding newfound strength in the void. It’s really former high school sweetheart-turned-CEO Liz Allen who saves the day this time, armed with her symbiote and an experimental Alchemax gun that blasts a hole through Carnage. It’s a nice twist ending: the series has a fondness for life-or-death cliffhangers, but this is the first time Carnage himself has been on the receiving end.
Final Thoughts
Carnage #7 comes out swinging with a fun action sequence that never lets up. Flash Thompson's sour luck doesn't change, but he does gain some new allies in this increasingly tense battle.
Carnage #7: Battle in the Mosh Pit
- Writing - 6/106/10
- Storyline - 6/106/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
I love Flash Thompson learning new move and power. I hope the writers can have Flash Thompson stories and new enemies for him to challenge. And he should get upgraded military Gears, armor and New Fire power guns. Like war Machine. Hopefully they will evolve Flash thompson and his symbiotes to even greater.
I hope Flash Thompson will have his story adventures and new enemies.
And Flash Thompson should get upgraded military gear and armor, and new fire guns. And new symbiote moves. To evolve Flash Thompson even greater.
And should team up with Liz allen, Andi Benton, and others.