If you're diving into Marvel's darker corners, 'Absolute
carnage' is a wild ride, but maybe not the best starting point. It's like jumping into the deep end of a pool filled with symbiotes and bloodshed. The story builds on years of Eddie Brock/Venom lore, Cletus Kasady's history, and even touches on Donny Cates' broader cosmic horror themes in his Venom run. New readers might feel lost in the references to '
king in black' or older Carnage arcs. That said, the art by Ryan Stegman is chef’s kiss—visceral and chaotic in the best way. If you love horror-tinged superhero stories, you’ll enjoy the vibe, but I’d recommend at least skimming through Cates' 'Venom' (2018) first to appreciate the stakes.
On the flip side, if you’re just here for Carnage being Carnage—unhinged, sadistic, and gloriously over-the-top—you might still have fun. The event’s tie-ins are hit-or-miss, but the core miniseries delivers that signature 'nobody is safe' energy. Just brace yourself for body horror and a lot of teeth. Personally, I adored it as a longtime fan, but my friend who tried it blind spent half the time Googling who Dylan Brock was.