Carnage U.S.A. #3

Background

Carnage overtook the town of Doverton, Colorado, and took control of the Thing, Captain America, Hawkeye and Wolverine. Spider-Man escaped Doverton with the help of locals, who took him to a private zoo as a hideout. Meanwhile the federal government set forth a plan, using a special forces group called Mercury Team, to retake Doverton. The group was bonded to the Life Foundation symbiotes and warned to pacify the town before sunrise, or else stealth bombers would attack with napalm. Carnage sent Hannah and her children to kill Eric at the zoo and bring back his head.

Story 'Part Three: Die Free or Live!'

At the Ralsby Meat Packing Plant, Doppelganger was eating leftover corpses. It was suddenly attacked by the Lasher symbiote-dog and chased out of the plant. Mercury Team allowed the monster to leave, knowing that it would lead them to Carnage.

At the Last Chance Church, a pastor (under Carnage's control) preached forgiveness and love to the congregation. Then he laughed and said they were actually gathered for a communal sacrifice and their Lord deserved something in return. Pliers were passed out and as the congregants began to pull their own teeth, Captain America tried to fight Carnage's influence. He said that he was going to put Carnage down, and Carnage scoffed that this wasn't like last time in New York. There was only darkness and hate in Doverton, and he just sent a mother and children to kill her husband. He told Cap to pray that he wouldn't be sent to help them.

At the Ralsby Family Estate, Spider-Man was woken from a nap. Sheriff Eric wanted to leave the compound after seeing that Hannah and the kids were on the other side of the fence. When he wasn't allowed to leave, he smashed through the gate with a pickup truck and when he spoke with Hannah, she said she had to say goodbye. She changed to Carnage and said this was the only way to keep the kids safe. She ripped the door off of the truck and lunged at Eric but was tackled by Spider-Man, who was attacked by the kids. As Spider-Man dealt with "Carnage kids," Hannah told Eric that she had to kill him to protect their children. Eric told her to do it. Hannah's refusal angered the symbiote and made her and the kids return to Doverton, saying Carnage would eat them. Spider-Man promised that his family would be safe.

In Doverton, Mercury Team came across a woman bonded to Carnage that warned them to leave. Rico took a shot at the woman, saying he hadn't intentionally fired the gun. He believed that his symbiote had done it, assuming that symbiotes naturally hated each other. They were swarmed by a mob of civilians bonded to Carnage.

In the church, Kasady taunted Cap as he decided which hostages he would have Captain America kill. Cap broke free of Carnage's influence long enough to call for backup, code named 4563. Back under Carnage's control, Kasady demanded to know who Cap had called for.

At an unknown location, a shadowy agent confirmed the code and placed a call. The man at the other end was eager to take a shot at Kasady, saying he should have been taken out years ago. As he loaded his weapon, Agent Venom looked forward to the job.

General Comments

An issue ago, General Duggan claimed that Venom was awol but in this issue Agent Venom was on speed dial. That's either a very careless continuity error or the general was lying. The options are equally possible.

Spider-Man is supposedly the hero of the story but is absent for most of it. In fact, when we catch up with him, he's asleep. He's facing a situation with one of his most dangerous enemies and he's getting some rest. He's been through more grueling battles than he's faced so far in this series without taking a nap.

This story is all about Carnage, he's the hero and villain of the story. The heroes are under his control and are nonentities. The story focuses on his sadism, from patricide to making people rip out their own teeth. I'm not opposed to dark stories but this feels like torture porn.

Overall Rating

Still not bad but there isn't much story moving forward.