How Venom’s Deadliest Carnage Got Stronger Through Politics
Venom # 2 reveals that Marvel’s deadliest symbiote, Carnage, has grown in power and reached an almost untouchable position.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Venom # 2, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Since taking the throne of King in Black, Eddie Brock is more powerful than ever. Sadly, he’s not the only symbiote to have undergone such a remarkable transformation. Carnage has also made its way to the top of the food chain, at least in the world of politics. Not only did the vile symbiote make its way to the Senate, but it also made a place for itself in the hearts and minds of people across the land, as seen in Venom # 2 (by Ram V, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair and Clayton Cowles of VC).
In the months since Knull’s invasion of the Marvel Universe ended, humanity lived alongside a number of symbiotes who found themselves stranded on Earth. While Eddie Brock has done all he can to help as King in Black, the ensuing attack by Carnage and his brethren of the Life Foundation has left the general population in fear of his kind. Like his father before him, Arthur Krane has continued to use his place in politics to stoke these fears, mobilizing support for his own impending Congressional candidacy on the back of an anti-alien platform. As the world watches, Krane delivers a rousing speech, announcing his new mission to fight the Symbiote threat. If there’s anyone who knows the situation best, it’s Arthur Krane, especially since he’s now secretly the host of the Carnage symbiote.
It may seem counterintuitive for Carnage to lead a movement against his own, but it all works better than he could have hoped for. From this point of view, the evil symbiote is able to coordinate its efforts as it sees fit, sending harm to Venom while allowing its agents to operate unnoticed.
Carnage has also managed to make powerful new allies who share his values. He previously worked closely with Alchemax scientists, though such special efforts were dismissed by Flash Thompson and his symbiont allies. The Life Foundation also noticed Krane and the organization offered its support in the war against the symbiotes. With so many resources at her disposal, it seems like there’s no end within Carnage’s grasp.
Carnage isn’t the first Marvel villain to turn to politics when he needed to stay ahead of the competition. Norman Osborn and Wilson Fisk both made their names in the political arena, with Fisk still serving as New York’s mayor.
Considering how far he’s already come, there’s little chance that Carnage’s master plan will be undermined, at least until he makes his move. With so many other organizations now working under his responsibility, Arthur Krane may not have to give up his family-friendly image at all, leaving the Carnage symbiote free to wreak havoc at will.
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