REVIEW: ‘Carnage,’ Issue #4

Carnage #4 is written by Ram V, illustrated by Francesco Manna, colored by Dijjo Lima, and lettered by VC’s Joe Sabino. Marvel Comics publishes it. “A Wild Hunt” showcases the fallout from the previous issue as Jonathan Shayde, Kenneth Neely, and Carnage are pulled through the fabric of time and space. Carnage and Neely land in the realm of Svartalfheim – home to the Dark Elves – where Carnage announces its intent to hunt and kill the gods themselves. Meanwhile, floating through space with only the disembodied voice of Cletus Kasady to keep him company, Shayde encounters an unlikely ally.

Ever since the series began, the creative team has gone to great lengths to show that Carnage has been fundamentally changed by its time with Kasady, and nowhere is that made more apparent than in this issue. V’s script leaps beyond the confines of Earth to the far reaches of outer space, even touching upon the Thor mythos in the process, making Carnage #4 an engaging read from start to finish. Not only does this continue the series’ deep dive into cosmic horror, but its ties to the world of Thor also continue the groundwork that Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman laid down in their Venom run. If V is looking to do for Carnage what Cates did for Venom, I’m all for it.

Manna’s artwork continues to be another major draw, especially when it comes to the depiction of Svartalfheim. The Dark Elves’ home realm is a tangle of twisted trees and ancient runes, with shadows around every corner. And fret not horror fans; there’s still plenty of gore and chills to go around. Case in point: during a hunting ritual, one of the Dark Elves encounters Carnage and is impaled upon his own spear. That’s not even mentioning the sequences where Shayde is floating through space, which Manna depicts as the large and endless void it is in real life. Talk about your existential crises, huh?

Finally, Lima’s colors add an air of menace to the proceedings. Space and Svartalfheim are depicted as a vast collection of shadows, while the Dark Elves themselves have skin with a hue similar to blackberries. And, of course, red is a looming color, both in the case of Carnage, whose blood-red hue stands out like a sore thumb, and Kasaday’s narration which is peppered throughout the issue. In fact, Sabino gets the chance to play around with different fonts throughout the story, including Carnage’s twisted and bony letters as well as the archaic lettering that the Dark Elves, and everyone in the Thor comics, uses. This has the effect of giving everyone a distinct voice, which is the sign of great lettering.

Carnage #4 expands the series’ horizons as the sinister symbiote travels through time and space in search of new victims to hunt. With all the twists and turns this series is taking, it’s working its way onto the list of titles I routinely pick up at the comic book store. And, if I’m being honest, it should be on your list as well.

Carnage #4 is available wherever comics are sold.