In 2018, for the first time since Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, Eddie Brock as Venom showed up on the big screen, but this time, it was in his own self-titled movie with Tom Hardy taking over where Topher Grace left off. Despite not featuring long-time archrival Spider-Man, the movie grossed $856,085,151 at the box office worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.

Related: Venom 2: 10 Symbiote Storylines The Sequel Could Set Up

Because it was such a mega-hit at the box office, Venom naturally was going to get a sequel. And naturally, the sequel - Venom: Let There Be Carnage - is going to showcase Venom's other archrival, Carnage, played by Woody Harrelson in the character's big-screen debut.

10 Maximum Carnage Is The Character's Debut

Venom Maximum Carnage

Cletus Kasady made his in-panel debut - albeit a brief one - in Amazing Spider-Man #344 by David Michelinie and Erik Larsen, introduced in just a couple of panels as Eddie Brock's cellmate at Ryker's Island. Within a few issues, Cletus bonds with Carnage, the Venom symbiote's offspring, and then subsequently he stars in his own series as the lead antagonist: Maximum Carnage.

This 14-part series was enough to ignite a worldwide interest and, for some, even love for the character throughout the comic community. Without this series, it's hard to imagine Carnage becoming as popular as he is now.

9 Family Feud Brought Him Back From Comics Purgatory

cover art for carnage family feud

If Maximum Carnage is what first sparked interest in the character from fans, Carnage: Family Feud (by Zab Wells) is what renewed it. Prior to the Family Feud, not only was the character's presence stagnant to the point of non-existent in modern comics, the character himself was literally dead.

Related: 10 Times Spider-Man Comics Got A Little Too Serious

In a story that features both Spider-Man and Iron Man, Tony Stark's business foil Michael Hall comes up with a scheme that he's certain will one-up the billionaire, kicking off the production of his own Iron Man suits - called Iron Rangers -powered by symbiotes. Miraculously, this manages to resurrect the murderous Carnage, and, surprise surprise, carnage ensues.

8 Carnage U.S.A. Is A Truly Diabolical Story

Carnage The Avengers Carnage USA

Taking place sometime after the events of Family Feud, Carnage, U.S.A (by Zeb Wells) presents the title character's most diabolical plot to date. Because Carnage is just too good to hold for one person at a time, Carnage is set on a path to turn everyone into Carnage. This includes an unsuspecting small town in the state of Colorado and even the entire Avengers squad, all possessed by the Carnage symbiote.

This story really highlighted the potential of how wide and deadly a symbiote can spread across the world

7 Red Goblin Combines Spidey's Two Most Dangerous Foes

Norman Osborn Carnage Red Goblin Amazing Spider-Man

Both the Green Goblin and Carnage have played fickle, sinister thorns in Peter Parker's life in different ways, but the only thing more dangerous than the two of them respectively is the two of their forces combined.

Kicking off in Red Goblin: Red Death (by Rob Fee), Cletus Kasady is separated from his signature Carnage symbiote, Norman Osborn uses his infinite power and money to acquire it for himself. By combining the Carnage symbiote with his Green Goblin serum, he creates a Super-Symbiote, using it to become the Red Goblin.

6 Venom Vs. Carnage Likely Inspired The Movie Sequel

Venom Fights Carnage On The Cover Of Venom Vs. Carnage

This is probably the most important source of material on this reading list seeing as it appears to be the largest sour of inspiration for the making of Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Like the sequel, the four-part series Venom vs. Carnage by Peter Milligan and Clayton Crain pit the titular villains against each other.

Related: 10 Reasons Carnage Deserves His Own Movie

Although, they do manage to eventually fall on the same side when they share a common goal to defeat Carnage's offspring, Toxin in the new symbiote's debut. Toxin possesses the body of one Detective Patrick Mulligan. Interestingly enough, the movie trailer teased the debut of a law enforcement officer named Mulligan, played by Stephen Graham.

5 Carnage's Self-Titled Piece Is Terrifying

panel from carnage 2015

Most of the series featured on this list showcase Carnage as a dangerous, but cool character. His personality and antics are unhinged in the same entertaining way that made the character so popular, to begin with. However, 2015's Carnage by Gerry Conway and Mike Perkins takes the character and sheds him of any source of likability.

Instead, the series is far more interested in taking him back to Cletus Kasady's roots as a truly terrifying homicidal maniac as he picks off FBI agents one by one as the bureau struggles to end him once and for all.

4 Absolute Carnage Is Among Marvel's Best Crossover Events

Weapon H Carnage Absolute Carnage Weapon Plus

Absolute Carnage is just as much a series about Carnage as it is about the Marvel Universe in general. In fact, it's the ultimate crossover event featuring everyone ranging from Reed Richards as The Maker to Deadpool to Iron Fist to the Hulk, and of course Spider-Man and Venom.

It's a who's-who of Marvel's supporting and lead cast members, all with good reasons and roles to play as Carnage resurfaces after a year with an ambitious plot to hunt down and murder every person and superhero who has ever worn a symbiote.

3 It's A Wonderful Life Is Deceptively Funny And Gory

carnage it's a wonderful life

When readers hear that Carnage is starring in a one-shot called It's A Wonderful Life, by David Quinn and Kyle Hotz, it might be safe to assume that this would be one of the more lighthearted entries into the Carnage chronicles. To some extent, that assumption is true as Carnage does get to showcase his sense of humor.

However, more than anything, the story is one of the most shockingly gory comics to ever get the Marvel stamp of approval. Most of the story takes a peek into the mind of Carnage, courtesy of two guards at Ravencroft Asylum trying to drug him, only to wind up literally inside of his head.

2 Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales Offers Carnage A Fresh Opponent

carnage vs miles morales

The majority of the stories on this list feature Carnage being an antagonist to Peter Parker's Spider-Man and because he is so familiar with symbiotes in general (having bonded to one before Eddie Brock even became Venom), Parker at least has an idea for who he's dealing with.

Related: 10 MCU Heroes Venom Could Defeat

The same is not the case for the younger, less experienced Miles Morales in this spiritual Absolute Carnage sequel. Upon meeting Carnage, Miles admits he has no idea what it is but knows he must be stopped. That proves to be easier said than done, especially when Miles bonds to the symbiote himself. A new Spider-Man opponent is enough to make this story feel fresh and serves as proof that Carnage can have interesting, fun squabbles with other people who aren't named Parker or Brock.

1 Deadpool Vs Carnage Is Another Fun Match-Up

Deadpool vs Carnage in the comics

Speaking of antagonists not named Eddie Brock or Peter Parker, Deadpool falls into that same boat when he takes on the serial killer symbiote in the Deadpool vs. Carnage series. The story is simple. As per usual, Cletus Kasady escapes out of prison via his Carnage symbiote and unleashes carnage on the world around him until someone goes after him. That someone is Deadpool.

Since he is the protagonist, this is more of a Deadpool story than a Carnage story, but it's fun enough to recommend to fans of either character.

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