Geek Culture Reviews

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Omega #1... For the majority, Extreme Carnage has been a fairly decent story arc. We've seen multiple writers contribute to the series which has focused a great deal on the Life Foundation Symbiotes. Much like anything the story has to come to an end and Extreme Carnage: Omega is that ending. Sadly, it's not a definitive ending as Philip Kennedy Johnson uses Omega to set up potential plotlines to Al Ewing 's upcoming Venom #1. For the last few weeks, we've seen Carnage manipulate the Symbiote Void into coercing the Life Foundation Symbiotes into joining his latest plan. This "plan" has all revolved around Senator Krane and his "Friends of Humanity". Hot on Carnage's tail has been Flash Thompson. Thompson has since teamed up with both Toxin and the new Symbiote Silence, and have been at a disadvantage to Carnage throughout.  Now thanks to Thompson's friend Hank - who's working with Senator Krane - ...

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Agony #1... Marvel's Extreme Carnage arc has so far been pretty good. It's certainly had its weaker issues, but overall the story has been consistent throughout. This week sees Carnage one step closer to "winning" as we not only head into Symbiote's endgame, we also catch up with the last Life Foundation Symbiote - Agony.  The issue kicks off with a look at the life of Gemma Shin. Shin just happens to be the communication director for Senator Krane. She's underappreciated and is constantly degraded by the Senator's male staff. But away from this, Gemma hides a dark secret, she's also bonded to the Agony Symbiote.  As the penultimate part in this 8-part series, Alyssa Wong starts to bring the plot threads together for their ultimate conclusion. Wong brings a much slower pace to proceedings as we learn about Gemma and what her connection to Carnage is, as well as Carnage's ultimate plan. On the other side of...

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Toxin #1... Plans are starting to come to fruition for Marvel's Extreme Carnage arc. Carnage, who's currently bonded to Senator Krane is planning an attack during the Senators "For Humanity Rally". Out to stop him is the ragtag team of Flash Thompson (Anti-Venom), Andi Benton (Silence), Iron-Man, and their newest recruit - Bren Waters (Toxin).  Yes, as the title suggests this one is all about Toxin, and unlike the others in the series, it's a bit subdued. Where previous parts have seen Carnage manipulate its target Symbiote into causing a massacre, Extreme Carnage: Toxin slows the story down to a somewhat intimate affair set mostly within the Symbiotes shared space - the void. It's here where Carnage attempts to convince Toxin that he's a waste of space and that he should join "the family". It's very much a father and son story as Carnage and Toxin's interactions mirror both Bren Waters and his fa...

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 atte...

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....

Previewing Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1... WITNESS THE BIRTH OF A NEW SYMBIOTE! Four issues into the Carnage event of the summer and the bodies just keep piling up – including some of the Venomaniacs the Mighty Marveldom know and love! But now is not a time to mourn for fallen heroes (or their symbiotes). CARNAGE is on the loose, and he’s building an army… Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1 is heading to stores this coming Wednesday (4th August, 2021) Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Previewing Extreme Carnage: Phage #1... ' FLASH THOMPSON IS BACK! After the shocking revelations of EXTREME CARNAGE: SCREAM, Carnage sets its sights on the PHAGE symbiote. Carnage isn’t the only familiar face on the board though! After a rendezvous with his student, Andi Benton, FLASH THOMPSON is back and ready for a fight!' Extreme Carnage: Phage #1 is heading to stores on 21st July, 2021.  Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Scream #1... The Extreme Carnage storyline has gotten off to quite the start. Last time out in Extreme Carnage Alpha we got to see Venom's bastard child roam the seas to then end up in New York. Worse still the Symbiote is now bonded with alien-hating politician Peter Krane. As Flash Thompson and Iron-Man head off to "protect" Krane from Carnage - it is them who ultimately need protecting from Krane.  This time around we're in the capable hands of Clay Mcleod Chapman as both Andi and Scream return to the spotlight. Chapman is somewhat revered by Scream fans as the writer had phenomenal success with both Scream Volume 1 & 2 . So for anyone to tell a story about Andi and her Symbiote it's best coming from the person who knows the two characters the best.  Extreme Carnage: Scream #1 kicks off with Alchemax who are hunting one of their failed experiments - a somewhat mutated Spider-Man. In chasing this monster...

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage Alpha #1... With Knull finally defeated and the Marvel Universe back into a sense of normality it's not a question of if - but when the next "crisis" is going to arrive.  Thankfully we don't have to wait long as Carnage has made its gruesome return. With the Symbiote world in a state of flux, just how will they react to Carnage's return?  Part political thriller, part horror Extreme Carnage gets off to a brilliant start. Straight from the opening page writer Philip Kennedy Johnson deals with the aftermath of Knull's unsuccessful invasion as Senator Peter Krane has a plan to rid the Earth of every alien - both good and bad. While the Senator with the help of both Alchemax and the Friends of Humanity stir the pot on the surface, a much larger threat is stirring beneath the waves. Our first glimpse of the Carnage Symbiote is deep in the ocean as it goes from host to host as it moves up the marine food chain. It's not lo...