The first issue of Absolute Carnage introduced the concept of a blockbuster event series tied to a horror theme, and by the time the final issue arrives in stores this November, the horror will come full circle with the death of a major Marvel character.
Today, Marvel released the cover to November's Absolute Carnage #5, and a description of the finale pits Venom against Carnage in a fight to the death.
The Absolute Carnage #5 cover by Ryan Stegman features the uneasy alliance of Venom and Spider-Man squaring off against the resurrected Cletus Kasady. Underneath them is a swarm of Carnage-controlled symbiotes brandishing the symbol of the symbiote God, Knull, on the center of their foreheads. Some of the assembled Marvel heroes fighting for their lives include Miles Morales, The Thing, Captain America and Wolverine.
Something that does stick out is the sight of Venom grasping a black sword in his right hand. The Venom symbiote has a history with swords, after the Dark Elf Malekith forced the alien to bond with Black Knight's Ebony Blade in War of the Realms. We also learned in Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman's Venom run in the lead-up to Absolute Carnage that Gorr the God Butcher's Necrosword comes from Knull. Though it remains to be seen whether the Necrosword will make its return during the event series.
The cover and solicitation text for November's Absolute Carnage #5 can be found below:
ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #5 (of 5)
- Written by DONNY CATES
- Art by RYAN STEGMAN
- Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
- VENOM AND CARNAGE – TO THE DEATH!