Warning: SPOILERS for Venom #22
Eddie Brock is on a mission to kill Carnage once and for all, and finally return to the version of Venom fans know and love. The bad news? That means he has to kill Carnage all by himself. The worse news is that means he will now have to kill Carnage with just one hand.
The start of "Venom Island" promised a new kind of challenge for Eddie Brock, but the shocking events of Venom #22 have demonstrated how much is truly at stake. Considering Eddie Brock's life of late, that is really saying something. Having survived the Absolute Carnage event, and being forced to turn down an invitation to The Avengers due to the echoes of Carnage in his mind, Eddie is taking a stand. Traveling to an isolated island to let his Carnage-infected symbiote loose, Eddie is prepared for all-out war. Even if this minor nuisance seems to pale in comparison to the fact that Knull is coming, writer Donny Cates warned fans that "Venom Island" was not to be underestimated. And the story has more than delivered.
The story kicked off in Venom #21, with Eddie Brock crash landing on the island thanks to the Carnage symbiote breaking free of both him and his symbiote Other. So promising his Other that he would save it, and promising to burn Carnage off the face of the Earth, Eddie set his plan into motion. And almost immediately, was outplayed by Carnage.
It should be said that Eddie actually opened this encounter by offering Carnage a deal: stay on this island, and bond with as much of the wildlife as it likes, and he would leave in pace. But after writer Donny Cates promised fans that "Venom Island" would change Eddie Brock forever, both the readers and the Carnage symbiote knew a peaceful resolution wasn't really in the cards. Thankfully, fire proves more than effective against almost any Carnage-ized animal. But it can't keep Carnage out of the ground itself.
Bursting free of the soil and coiling itself around Eddie Brock's left hand, the Carnage symbiote demonstrates why it is the kind of evil heroes have to kill. Promising to take control of Eddie and make him watch as it spreads horror across the world, the reality of the situation is hard to ignore. Carnage must die, meaning Eddie must kill it, no matter the cost. And as Eddie locks eyes with the symbiote, and clasps his machete in his right hand, readers only have a moment to prepare for the change Cates warned was coming...
With Venom: The End confirming that Venom would do anything to save Eddie Brock, it's nice to get a clear example of just how much Eddie is willing to sacrifice to save his symbiote Other. Even if it means allowing the Carnage symbiote to claim it a little while longer, there's no questioning Eddie's resolve. For those wondering about the healing abilities of symbiotes, it would be safe to assume that Eddie's symbiote could artificially replace his hand when merged... but with Cates' own description of this lasting impact, it's safe to say that from here on out, Eddie Brock is minus a hand. Here's hoping that's all he has to give up before "Venom Island" comes to an end.
- VENOM #22
- Written by: Donny Cates
- Art by: Mark Bagley, Andy Owens, Frank Martin & Erick Arciniega
- Cover Art by: Mark Bagley, Andy Owens, Jason Keith
- "VENOM ISLAND" PART II. Donny Cates' VENOM epic continues in grand fashion after ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, joined by industry legend and celebrated VENOM artist Mark Bagley. That's all you're getting out of us for this one, True Believers! After all, ABSOLUTE CARNAGE isn't quite over yet...
Venom #22 is available now from your local comic book shop.