Description

Venom vs. Carnage                        Trade Paperback
Eighth Printing
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Clayton Crain
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editors: Warren Simons, John Miesegaes, Axel Alonso & Joe Quesada
Cover by: Clayton Crain

Venom, or the Venom Symbiote, is a character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Spider-Man. Venom made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988). Venom was originally conceived as a supervillain, but has since become more of an antihero. Venom is a Symbiote, a sentient alien, with a gooey, almost liquid-like form. As with real-world symbiotes, it requires a host, usually human, to bond with for its survival. After bonding, the Symbiote endows its enhanced powers upon the host. When the Venom Symbiote bonds with a human, that new dual-life form refers to itself as “Venom”. The Venom Symbiote’s first known host was Spider-Man, who eventually separated himself from the creature when he discovered its true nature. The Symbiote went on to merge with other hosts, most notably Eddie Brock, its second and most infamous host, with whom it first became Venom and one of Spider-Man’s archenemies. According to S.H.I.E.L.D., it is considered one of the greatest threats to humanity, alongside Magneto, Doctor Doom, and Red Skull. Venom is widely considered one of the Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time!

Originally created to be a darker version of Venom, Carnage was once a serial killer known as Cletus Kasady who became the deadly killer symbiote after merging with the offspring of the alien symbiote called Venom during a prison breakout. Since the alien symbiote adapts to the host’s personality, the Carnage symbiote is affected by Kasady’s insane mind and lust for destruction… making it even more dangerous. Carnage is usually considered as a “main” enemy of Spider-Man. The character first appeared as Cletus Kasady in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (March 1991) and then as Carnage in The Amazing Spider-Man #360 (March 1992). Carnage was created by writer David Michelinie and artists Erik Larsen and Mark Bagley, based on elements of the precursor character Venom. Along with Venom, Carnage belongs to a race of amorphous extraterrestrial parasites known as the Symbiotes. Carnage is widely considered one of the Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time!

Now, Marvel Comics Presents, Venom vs. Carnage! First came Venom, then came Carnage, Now comes… Toxin, the Son of Carnage! What’s worse than one mayhem-producing symbiote? Two. What’s worse than that? Three. That’s right: Venom’s offspring, Carnage, is about to have a baby itself – a creature of indescribable power and appetites. Question is, who’s gonna bring up baby? Quick – someone call Spider-Man! Guest-starring Black Cat!

Story/Spoilers
In part #1, “A Child is Born, Part 1: Baby Please Don’t Go!”, Featuring the first appearance of Patrick Mulligan (aka the symbiote – Toxin). Venom pursues Carnage across the Manhattan skyline. Venom is not playing the role of hero, though. He cares little about Carnage’s psychotic blood-lust. It turns out that the Carnage symbiote is ready to reproduce asexually, and as Carnage’s not-so proud papa, it’s up to Venom to ensure that the new creature develops properly… especially since Carnage wants to slaughter the baby blob once it’s born. The slimy family feud crashes into the home of a New York City cop and his pregnant wife, which spells disaster for the couple. Fortunately, Spider-Man happens upon the scene.

Next in part #2, “Cops and Monsters”, Featuring the first appearance of Toxin (aka Patrick Mulligan). Venom and Carnage continue to tear into each other over the fate of the new symbiote that Carnage is about to spawn (Venom wants to protect it and Carnage wants to kill it). Little do they know that Carnage has already “delivered” his child and it has bonded with New York police officer Patrick Mulligan. Patrick finds out himself as he is confronting the Black Cat about a recent art theft and papa Cletus shows up, causing him to transform into Toxin.

Next in part #3, “The Monster Inside Me”, Toxin handily fights off Carnage but Patrick freaks out that he now has a monster living inside of him. He tries to juggle his life as a police officer and new father as he begins to come to grips with his current condition. Pat begins to use his Toxin symbiote in his police work but discovers that the creature has a desire to kill and is hard to control. Meanwhile, Venom has second thoughts about having a grandson that is a cop–a cop with powers stronger than his own. He decides to help Carnage bring their progeny down.

Finally in part #4, “Do the Right Thing”, Venom and Carnage show up to kill Toxin but are defeated thanks to a little assist from Spider-Man and the Black Cat. Realizing that his secret symbiotic life is far too dangerous for his wife and young baby, Pat leaves them behind to carry on alone.

Trade Paperback reprints/collects: Venom vs. Carnage (2004) Issues #1-4.  Marvel Comics

Trade Paperback is bagged & double boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

Eighth Printing
Publisher: Marvel Worldwide, Inc.
Publication Date: 2012
Format: FC, 96 pages, TPB, 10.25″ x 6.5″
ISBN-10: 0785115242
ISBN-13: 9780785115243

Collectible Entertainment note: Trade Paperback is in Very Fine condition.  Beautiful!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Venom, Carnage and/or Spider-Man collector / enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

Please read return policy.