Comic Book Review - Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1...

So far Extreme Carnage has been heavy on getting the family back together, while Carnage continues to do whatever it is he's doing. Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1 is no different. While Carnage continues to reach out to its Life Foundation siblings, Flash Thompson has to deal with the aftermath of Andi Benton's separation from her Symbiote - Scream. A fact that would be made easier if Phage wasn't rampaging through the Alchemax facilities.

Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1 picks off right where Phage #1 left off. Andi has been fatally stabbed by the Symbiote, as she lays dying Flash faces the choice of saving his friend or stopping Phage. As Flash attempts to save Andi by bringing her to Doctor Steven, Phage continues his slaughter of the Alchemax Guardsmen. It's a pretty bloody fight as Phage maimed everyone that stands in his way. 

Meanwhile across the city, Lasher seeks a host as Carnage attempts to lure the Symbiote to him. Lasher soon bonds with a frail old man, and as the Symbiote attempts to escape Carnage's lure, his host is slowly seduced by Carnage's promises. Now fully in control of Lasher, the host heads towards the centre of the city - whilst slaughtering everything within its way. If this wasn't enough Bren Waters sees on TV the "carnage" happening over at Alchemax and as such enters the fray as Toxin. 

If the introduction to two other Symbiotes wasn't enough, we're introduced to one more. In a desperate measure to save Andi's life, Doctor Steven splices the remains of Scream with the D.N.A. of Anti-Venom and as such creates the Symbiote - Silence. 

Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1 takes the family reunion a little too far. As we're still dealing with the fallout from Phage, introducing both Lasher and Toxin is one thing, but to then throw us Silence feels a bit overkill. Even with five Symbiotes in the mix, the story flies by at an incredible pace. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing I would have preferred to either spend more time exploring Lasher. Failing that an all-action issue of Anti-Venom, Silence, and Phage would have done. 

By introducing a new Symbiote you get two characters for the price of one. With Lasher, we also get his host, who's teased to have a much wider game to play than he does. Also on the other hand the creation of Silence is a little strange too. Yes, we've already seen that Doctor Steven is a "good guy" but just what game is he playing with creating Silence. Especially when the Symbiote seems to be fully in control of Andi. I'm hoping it's one plot thread that writer, Clay McLeod Chapman doesn't leave hanging for too long. 

As always the action within the issue is top-notch. Both Chris Mooneyham and Danilo S. Beyruth quite literally bring the carnage to life as the Alchemax siege rumbles on. The duo seems to have a tonne of fun as Phage tears through everyone and everything. There's plenty of strong line work which does a great job in bringing a fast pace to the action.

As a new Symbiote, Silence looks great and has taken on the likeness of both Anti-Venom and Scream. Andi's bonding to the Silence Symbiote is an incredible scene, and is arguably the best page in the comic!

Meanwhile, Marcio Menyz and Jim Campbell bring plenty of colours that bring everything to life. There's a lot of chaos unfolding and we're given plenty of colours that draws your focus into everything.

Even as a Symbiote heavy issue Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1 is pretty good. There's plenty of action that highlights most of the Symbiotes in all their horrific glory. The inclusion of Toxin could have waited for another issue, but it's here now and adds yet another variable into the mix. With Riot next on the list, it can't be long before this dysfunctional family comes together for one climactic reunion. 

Rating 8/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev