Dustin Gebel
New York really can’t catch a break. After Wilson Fisk using the Purple Man powes tried to steal elections, then a demonic invasion that spared no Christmas tree, the city that never sleeps now has to deal with the third major symbiote attack in five years, thanks to the upcoming Carnage Reigns crossover.
Miles Morales is about to swing into his darkest battle yet as he finds himself prey to the most terrifying villain in the Marvel Universe: CARNAGE! Original Carnage host Cletus Kasady is back and more powerful and bloodthirsty than ever before! And he has a score to settle with Miles—and with all of New York City!
Comic Watch Review: Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4: Trial By Spider Part 4
The crossover, which Marvel has released a checklist and series of covers for, will pit the titular serial killer symbiote and Miles Morales’s Spider-Man against one another. The story is part of the larger Summer of Symbiotes storyline, which promises plenty of symbiote chaos across the Marvel multiverse. Along with Miles and Carnage, Normie Osborn’s Red Goblin will also be roped into the battle.
In an interview with Bloody Disgusting, Paknadel had this to say about the event:
“Carnage Reigns is an old-fashioned David and Goliath story pitting a greener Spider-Man against the most sadistic monster in the Marvel Universe—Cletus Kasady! Miles has only been this out of his depth on a handful of occasions, which is a gift from a storytelling perspective. I’ve really enjoyed crafting this tale with Cody Ziglar, and we’ve developed a really fun, really productive working shorthand and that fun is present on the page! We know this story will satisfy fans of both characters in their FIRST-EVER CROSSOVER!”
The core conflict of the story sees a bloodthirsty, powered-up Carnage seeking revenge with Miles and New York City after the events of Absolute Carnage and King in Black. What’s curious is Venom, Spider-characters and the other symbiotes are missing from this crossover. The press release teases more information about Summer of Symbiotes will be shared next week, which may provide more clues on the overarching plot of this symbiote era of the comics.
The storyline spins out of Alex Paknadel current Carnage and Red Goblin runs and Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Cody Ziglar, and features art from Julius Ohta, Jan Bazaldua, Federico Vicentini and Francesco Manna. Like many of Marvel’s current events, the crossover will kickoff with an alpha issue, Carnage Reigns Alpha #1, on May 3. From there, the story unfolds over 6 issues, Carnage #13-14, Miles Morales Spider-Man #6-7, Red Goblin #5, and ending with Carnage Reigns Omega #1.
Marvel has included in the press release synopses and covers for each issue, along with a checklist for the crossover, all of which can be seen below.
CARNAGE REIGNS ALPHA #1– “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 1
CARNAGE REIGNS ALPHA #1
- Written by ALEX PAKNADEL & CODY ZIGLAR
- Art by JULIUS OHTA AND MORE!
- Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
- On Sale May 3, 2023
— —
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #6 – “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 2!
- Written by CODY ZIGLAR
- Art by FEDERICO VICENTINI
- Cover by DIKE RUAN
- On Sale May 17, 2023
— —
CARNAGE #13 – “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 3!
- Written by CODY ZIGLAR
- Art by FEDERICO VICENTINI
- Cover by DIKE RUAN
- On Sale May 17, 2023
— —
RED GOBLIN #5 – “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 4
RED GOBLIN #5,
Normie Osborn is the new Red Goblin, and he’s trying to escape his family legacy by proving himself as a hero. But when that eagerness puts him on a collision course with Carnage, Normie and his symbiote will emerge from this issue forever changed!
- Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
- Art by JAN BAZALDUA
- Cover by INHYUK LEE
- On Sale June 7, 2023
— —
CARNAGE #14 – “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 5
CARNAGE #14,
Cletus Kasady’s hunger has grown beyond limitation, and so has his ambition. With his soul trapped within the Extrembiote Armor created by Tony Stark during King in Black, Cletus has the means to level an untold amount of chaos on the entire Marvel Universe, and he may just leave a certain wall-crawling hero dead in his wake.
- Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
- Art by FRANCESCO MANNA
- Cover by KENDRICK “kunkka” LIM
- On Sale June 14, 2012
— —
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #7 – “CARNAGE REIGNS” PART 6
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #7
Cletus Kasady has unleashed maximum carnage upon New York City with the awesome power of his new Extrembiote, and the only one left standing in his way is Miles Morales, who may have stumbled upon Cletus’ one weakness – which means Cletus will stop at nothing to put Miles down for good. To have a chance at stopping him, Miles will need help from the most unexpected allies…Cletus got an upgrade – why can’t Miles?!
- Written by CODY ZIGLAR
- Art by FEDERICO VICENTINI
- Cover by DIKE RUAN
- On Sale June 21, 2023
— —
CARNAGE REIGNS OMEGA #1
CARNAGE REIGNS OMEGA #1
Cletus Kasady finally gets what he’s been after and unlocks new and terrifying possibilities with his Extrembiote armor, setting the stage for the next VENOM epic! Miles Morales can call in all the backup he wants – but he and his allies will learn the hard way that CARNAGE RULES!
- Written by CODY ZIGLAR
- Art by JULIUS OHTA
- Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
- On Sale June 28, 2023
The Carnage Reigns event begins May 3, 2023 and continues through June. Make sure to follow Comic Watch for more information about Carnage Reign and the upcoming Summer of Symbiotes. And remember, Carnage Rules.
