Carnage #1

Un Cómic Más

Torunn achieves an intense narrative, where extreme violence justifies the reasons and return of Carnage, adding Mythological touches. Art is very detailed and successfully achieves bloody scenes, very visceral.

Nerd Initiative

A fresh new idea for a familiar character had to go hard in a big way and the team brings to life a terrifying new version of Carnage. They do a great job introducing Flash as Anti-Venom building up to a showdown between the two. I didn’t think they would be able to pass a scene where Nathaniel Jones is boiled alive in front of the masses but, those types of risks add to the frightening nature of Kasady and Carnage. This story has my attention.

AIPT

If you like your villains sick and sadistic, Carnage is for you. This issue sets Carnage on a new path of discovery and growth as he attempts to find a following the only way he knows how: Killing with creativity. There’s a good setup here with Anti-Venom on Carnage’s trail, but the issue left me wanting more action and more confrontation in its opening salvo.

Comic Watch

Carnage #1 brings the titular character back to his roots with the return of Cletus Kassidy while putting an inventive spin on the duo to push them in a horror-inspired direction.

Multiversity Comics

”Carnage” #1 is an impressive debut that finds a compelling hook for its protagonist.

ComicBook.com

The issue raises some interesting questions but seems unsure about how to answer them. Casting Carnage in his godhood as a reflection of those fascinated by what he represents is a high concept worth exploring. Grønbekk, Pérez, and Arciniega seem to be recasting Carnage as a 21st-century Corinthian, which is a bold move. However, this issue gets too caught up in the sensational aspects of Carnage's bloodlust, losing sight of that overarching theme. Carnage #1 is on the cusp of something worthwhile but hasn't fully invested.

Derby Comics

I was intrigued when it was announced this new Carnage run from Torunn Grønbekk was receiving a Parental Advisory warning, and the initial setup of the issue asking who would worship a god like Carnage offered a fascinating thesis. However, the issue fails to adequately begin answering that question and instead focuses on the gruesomeness of Carnage’s murderous march to godhood. Some of the most obscene panels veered towards Saw-style torture porn that was off-putting. Pepe Pérez art felt like a traditional Spider-Man comic, but Erck Arciniega’s color palette was too subtle and washed-out to match the tone of the book. There’s plenty of room to craft an interesting story here if the creative team can come together and focus on telling us an interesting story rather than trying to shock us with showing the limitless bounds to Carnage’s brutality.