God is coming. And God? God is Carnage.
That twisted religious mantra has been building in the pages of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s Venom, all building to their 2019 event, Absolute Carnage.
Related Reading Orders:
Amazing Spider-Man reading order
Marvel Fresh Start reading order
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The event centered around the return of Cletus Kasady promises that Carnage is set on a murderous fanatical rampage for every Marvel character who has ever been connected to symbiote.
You can get to know the monstrous villain’s 90’s origins through Carnage Classic
Otherwise, below you’ll find a guide to the comics that set up Absolute Carnage, followed by the event and tie-in issues.
Road To Absolute Carnage
The 2000’s Carnage Suite
Carnage has had a fairly strange 2000’s. Whereas it’s true that in both the 90’s and 2000’s, death follows Carnage, in the 90’s it was the death of innocents, and in the 2000’s it’s frequently been the savage symbiote himself.
While there are more appearances, the below three stories are the most frequently referenced throughout the ensuing build to Absolute Carnage in the pages of Venom. As you’d expect, only Carnage U.S.A. is a focused Carnage story, whereas 2004’s “Breakout” is a small supporting role, and Venomized is a supporting role.
New Avengers: Breakout
Update – September 2019
Spider-Man: The Many Hosts of Carnage
Collects: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 361, 410, 431; Spider-Man (1990) 67; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 233; Carnage (2010) 3; Carnage USA 1-5; Superior Carnage 3-5, Annual 1; Amazing Spider-Man (2015) 798-800
This is Marvel’s 2019 attempt to provide a “Road To” reference guide of Carnage’s actions across the Marvel Universe. Having read the first three issues of Absolute Carnage, I can confirm it’s a relevant, succinct explanation of a lot of the continuity at play in the main event!
Venom by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman
Even when Carnage isn’t present in the story, the entire 2018 Venom series (launching with Marvel Fresh Start) is building story elements that will play a role in Absolute Carnage. If you read nothing else prior to the event, it should be these issues of Venom, in the below order.
Venom Vol. 1 by Stegman & Cates
Venom #1-5
Web Of Venom: Ve’Nam #1
Venom Annual #1
Venom #6-8
Web Of Venom: Carnage Born #1
Venom #9
Web Of Venom: Unleashed #1
Venom #10 to #12
Web of Venom: Cult of Carnage #1
Free Comic Book Day (2019): Spider-Man
I’d call this Thor-centric Marvel Universe event 1) a real good time and 2) peripherally relevant to Absolute Carnage. There are three Venom tie-ins (issues #13 to #15 – not by Donny Cates or Ryan Stegman) that I’d call inessential. Oddly, the main event issues play more with the Venom symbiote and do set the stage for Venom #16. Ultimately, I’d say it’s for absolute completists only, unless you just want to check out he event, which I’d recommend!
Venom #16
Web of Venom: Funeral Pyre #1
Absolute Carnage Trade Reading Order:
Collects: Absolute Carnage #1 to #5
Collects: Venom #17 to #20, Web of Venom: Funeral Pyre #1
Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors
Collects: Lethal Protectors #1 to #3, Absolute Carnage: Avengers #1
Collects: Scream #1 to #3, Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1
Collects: Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #1 to #3,
Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales
Collects: AC: Miles Morales #1 to #3, AC: Immortal Hulk #1
Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk and Other Tales
Collects: Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk #1 Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spiderman #1 And Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Of Vengeance #1
Absolute Carnage Comics Checklist
Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man #1
Recommended Tie-In? Only for huge fans of Spectacular Spider-Man #99 to #100!
Although published after main event issue #2, there’s really no reason to read this after the event kicks off. 99% of the issue is flashback material riffing on the original appearance of the symbiote suit, and the time Spider-Man left it in the care of Reed Richards… and the symbiote escaped!
Absolute Carnage: Ghost Rider – Symbiote of Vengeance #1
Recommended Tie-In? Definitely if you’re a fan of Ghost Rider!
There’s a whole lot of Ghost Rider history nicely packaged in this issue. Carnage hunts riders and all hell breaks loose! This is more of a tease for upcoming Ghost Rider stories, but honestly, it’s a pretty fun sign of things to come.
Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus #1
Recommended Tie-In? Inessential, but not bad.
If you’ve been reading Venom (and you should be for this event!), the Weapon Plus tie-in will make more sense. Same goes for some familiarity with the surprisingly fun Weapon H
Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1
Recommended Tie-Ins? For symbiote superfans!
The first Absolute Carnage tie-ins connect back to the 5 symbiotes created by the Life Foundation way back in Venom: Lethal Protector
Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #1
Recommended Tie-In? Kinda, but definitely for Deadpool fans.
While I thought this was a disappointingly cliched comic, there are some clear post Absolute Carnage #1 details that actively connect to the core plot. Plus, Deadpool’s history with symbiotes could have larger implications on Carnage’s master plan!
Absolute Carnage Miles Morales #1
Absolute Carnage Miles Morales #2
Recommended Tie-In? Yes.
Goes into more detail about Miles’ role in Absolute Carnage #2. The majority of the first issue takes place prior to the main event, but then crosses over and overlaps with issue two’s conclusion. The second Miles tie-in is entirely after Absolute Carnage #2.
Recommended Tie-In? Yes!
As expected, the Cates written Venom is a must-read extension of the core event, focusing here on Dylan and The Maker. There’s a case to be made for this issue read prior to Absolute Carnage #2, but we’ll know for sure with Venom #18.
Absolute Carnage Lethal Protectors #1
Recommended Tie-In? Meh.
You know a pet peeve of mine? Comic book covers starring characters that never appear in the issue! “Lethal Protectors” #1 goes hard on this cardinal sin, then delivers a follow-up to the events of Web of Venom: Cult of Carnage #1. If you’re digging the Carnage, it’s in lockstep with the rest of the event, but personally I’d consider it passable for those strapped for time.
Absolute Carnage Lethal Protectors #2
Recommended Tie-In? Yeah.
Better than issue #1, and ties all the way back to Maximum Carnage!
Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #2
Recommended Tie-In? Yes.
Issue two is a clear improvement over the first, and there are a ton of major Absolute Carnage players showing up in this tie-in series. Plus, Deadpool makes a “Boom Goes the Dynamite” joke, and I’m always down for that.
Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #3
Recommended Tie-In? If you’ve enjoyed so far.
Deadpool / Spider-Man team-up!
September 2019
Recommended Tie-In? Yes!
Weirdly, there’s a note in Absolute Carnage #3 that says you should read Venom #19 first, so there’s a good chance you’re meant to read both Venom #18 and Venom #19 before moving on. This is of course impossible per actual comics release dates (Venom #19 will come out well after main event issue #3). Comics!
Recommended Tie-In? *Shrugs Shoulders*
The Avengers one-shot explains the Avengers role in the Absolute Carnage chaos, and sets the stage for Absolute Carnage #3 (even though, yet again, the issue was released after main event issue #4). Good for fans of the Fraction/Aja Hawkeye
Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk #1
Recommended Tie-In? Hell Yeah!
Immortal Hulk is my favorite Marvel Comic of 2018, and was holding the top spot in 2019 until House of X came along, so it should be little surprise that the Al Ewing written Absolute Carnage tie-in is similarly top notch.
Be forewarned that although this tie-in is an effective follow-up to Absolute Carnage #3, it functions more as a continuation of Immortal Hulk (particularly the events of issue #20). There’s enough exposition here that you’ll be fine just for the Absolute Carnage ride, but it’s always a good time to recommend reading all of Immortal Hulk!
Recommended Tie-In? Yes.
This is a tricky one – I’m open to arguments placing this slightly earlier in the guide. For me, the references to the Immortal Hulk tie-in land Venom right after Absolute Carnage #3 with some detail fill-in potential.
Absolute Carnage Miles Morales #3
Recommended Tie-In? Yes.
Likely important set up for the rest of the main event.
October 2019
Recommended Tie-In? Yeah.
Doesn’t connect as thoroughly as I thought it might, instead reflecting on Spidey’s relationship with the current Red Goblin, and forever Norman Osborn.
I initially had these issues after Absolute Carnage #3 (more in line with release dates), but after reading Absolute Carnage #4, I’ve moved them here.
Absolute Carnage Lethal Protectors #3
Recommended Tie-In? Meh, if you’ve enjoyed so far.
Could pretty easily be read earlier after issue #2 in the series, but does tease a connection to the upcoming Absolute Carnage #5.
Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel #1
Epilogue:
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What about Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel?
It’s one of the few issues listed under the November cycle, right before Absolute Carnage #5 and Venom #20.
What are the chances we get one big book instead of all these individual trades?
Highly likely… but in 20 years when this becomes nostalgia like the second clone saga that spanned 3 years or Age of Apocalypse.
Who knew heh
Is there any chance the infographic/check list could be re uploaded as a HD image? Can’t really see it when I click on it
https://www.comicbookherald.com/comicbookherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CBH-Absolute-Carnage-RO-WEB.jpg – is better
Perfect, thank you 😊
how to view in hd
For venom 1-5 is it the same comics from vol 1 by stegman and cates or are they from a different year and volume?
New Avengers was a waste of time
Hey, will the list be updated when the absolute carnage trades come out. Just seen a fair few for pre order on amazon and have no clue where to start aha
You in the readinf order were it says that free comic book day vol venom is before the war of the realms thing is not right, sitch out the free comic book day to Web Of Venom: Funeral Pyre since it takes place beforw free comic book day vol 2019 venom and befoore the war of the rwlms event, then place free comic book day vol 2019 venom after venom 16, instead of web of venom funeral pyre then place absolute carnage 1 after that
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Suck on a goat.