In a video during today’s retailer panel at C2E2 in Chicago, acclaimed writer Donny Cates announced Marvel’s latest epic summer event, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE…
Beginning with Free Comic Book Day’s Spider-Man/Venom #1 (out May 5), the blockbuster event starts in August and re-teams Cates with Venom‘s Ryan Stegman and colorist Frank Martin for Marvel’s next deadliest story.
“Cletus Kasady is back, and he is deadlier than he’s ever been,” Cates teases in the video announcement. “ABSOLUTE CARNAGE encompasses every single character who has ever worn a symbiote and every symbiote that has ever been, going all the way back to when Peter found the black suit. Going from there to MAXIMUM CARNAGE to VENOMIZED to everything…everyone is a target.”
@nayrdrof
By this point, if you’re not aware of who Peter Parker is and a general understanding of his backstory, get out from whatever rock you’re living under and experience this new thing called life. Then, for a quick recap, go pick up Spider-Man: Life Story. It’s like being bit by a retrospective spider, without any of the itching. Written by Chip Zdarsky, this issues flashes back to the swinging ’60s, right at the height of the conflict in Vietnam. Using this as the backdrop, Zdarsky masterfully imbues questions of morality, responsibility and great power, all from the perspective of you friendly neighborhood web-slinger.
Likewise, the supporting cast is more than on point. From the Green Goblin to Captain America to Gwen Stacy to Flash Thompson, each play an integral part in driving the plot, regardless of their screen time. What’s more, for those familiar with comic book cannon, the seeds of Civil War have been sewn. Correspondingly, the art team is firing on all cylinders. With pencils by Mark Bagley, ink by John Dell, colors by Frank D’Armata, and letters by Travis Lanham, the feel of the book is like a war documentary that has been colorized which, given the tone set by the script, is fantastic. Even the character design pays homage to greats like Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr. while still creating an individually unique stylization.
Long story short, this is one of the best “Spidey-sodes” in years. Save some scratch if you have to, but definitely put this saga on your pull list. 5/5 Bibles.
-Ryan Ford (your next Mr. Fantastic)