Marvel Heroes (UK Magazine) #18 (Story 2)
Background
This backup story is a tie-in to the lead story from Marvel Heroes (UK Magazine) #18. The Cobra attempted a prison breakout using stolen Pym Particles to shrink himself and his part-time partner-in-crime Mr. Hyde. The escape attempt failed, but not before top-security prisoner Cletus Kasady (aka Carnage) managed to acquire a canister of super-growth Pym Particles abandoned in the process.
Story 'Growing Pains'
Marvel Heroes (UK Magazine) #18 (Story 2)
| Publisher: | Panini Magazines |
| Writer: | Ferg Handley |
| Pencils: | John Charles |
| Inker: | Julien Hugonnard-Bert |
| Reprinted In: | Marvel Heroes Annual (UK) 2015 |
What's worse than a psychotic symbiote on the rampage? Perhaps a 100-foot version of the same?
Yep, super-sized Carnage is out and about in the streets of Manhattan, and even the combined efforts of Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Giant Man, Thor, Wasp and Hawkeye are having trouble dealing with this particular problem.
The heroes fight a losing battle at first. Then Pym suggest that Thor summon a fire demon from Muspelheim (the Norse world of fire). Thor's not sure that's such a good idea, but he comes up with a workable modification on the plan.
Thor twirls his hammer to open a portal to the aforementioned fire-world. Giant Man Pym grows to match Carnage's height, and shoves Carnage over until he is pushed partly through the inter-dimensional gateway. The fire burns Carnage, and forces the symbiote into submission. Giant Man then puts out Cletus's lights, courtesy of a good old-fashioned giant-sized punch to the jaw.
Score one more for the good guys.
General Comments
Nothing new here, really. Bad guy is too powerful for the heroes, so they beat him by being smarter.
There's also a couple of open questions to be resolved. Firstly, how did Carnage escape? Last time we saw him, he was still wearing a power-restraining collar, and there's no indication about how he got free of the collar and/or free of Rykers prison. Secondly, who was the mysterious, shadowy trouble-maker who gave Carnage the particles? Being as how this comic series has absolutely no continuity, you can just bet these two little plot holes will never be resolved.
Overall Rating 
On the positive side. Artist John Charles clearly put in some overtime with some great detail in his background inks. But it's not really enough to compensate for an otherwise run-of-the-mill plot.
Nice try. Big name villain, pretty art. Still only two webs.