Comic Book Review - Extreme Carnage: Riot #1

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Riot #1...

Marvel are back this week with part 5 of the Extreme Carnage summer event. This time around we're reintroduced to Riot as the Symbiote heeds the call of Carnage. Meanwhile Flash and Andi prepare themselves for their inevitable clash with Carnage. 

Considering this chapter is about Riot, the Symbiote doesn't feature that much. What we do get is more insight into Senator Krane/Carnage and some bonding between Flash and Andi. The opening with the Senator is both a great way to remind us that he's still a threat (as much as Carnage) and that he's seemingly onto Flash man on the inside - Hank. It's also this suspicion that introduces us to Riot...and what an introduction! 

Much like previous issues, Carnage uses the "void" to persuade Riot to take his seat at the table. This then causes quite a brutal bus journey as Riot attempts to find a new suitable host. Meanwhile back at Alchemax HQ Flash attempts to reason with the newly created Silence Symbiote to let him speak to Andi. It turns out - that for now Andi is still in control - and has been fully healed by her new Symbiote. She also seems to have a power that could prevent whatever Carnage is planing from coming to fruition. 

Turns out that Andi/Silence can cut a Symbiote off from their shared conscious, which Flash points out is what happened when Silence touched Lasher in the previous issue. This could essentially cut Carnage off from the Life Science Symbiotes and stop whatever it is that he's planning. But in true Marvel style, Andi finds herself cut off from the Hive which in turn brings both Flash and herself into contact with Toxin.

While Riot doesn't feature that much within this issue, writer Alyssa Wong brings plenty to the table. We get a fair few details given as to what Carnage is up to, but it just falls short of revealing everything. Wong also dives into the Symbiote's hive conscious to show just how Carnage is manipulating its brethren through it. 

Fran Galán brings plenty of incredible art to this issue. The scenes of Riot rampaging through the bus are a brilliant double-page spread of violence and gore, as Andi and Flash prepare themselves for Carnage at the bottom. It's very much mixed emotions thrown together with incredible effect. Jim Campbell's colours also serve to bring out the violence - and there's a lot of it. Campbell also does well in colouring the Void as we go from the darkness of Carnage to the emptiness of Silence as both utilise the void or their ends. 

When it's said and done Extreme Carnage: Riot takes a step back to explore its characters more. Considering these are characters that we've known for years, there's still plenty of depth to them. Seeing Andi readjust to life without Scream is a nice touch and I can't wait to see her battle Carnage as the newest Symbiote - Silence. 

Rating 8/10 

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