Because Venom was so nice before. It’s taken them half the crossover to get the weapons they know work on symbiotes, let’s see if that changes anything. This month, it’s Terry Kavanagh’s turn to write this title. This issue begins with recapping mercifully done in captions as JJJ and Ben Urich discuss the chaos, and then JJJ walks into a 2-page splash of the heroes from last issue in his office waiting for him.
The scariness of Cloak & Venom literally just standing their changes JJJ’s mind. Maybe there was a miscommunication on that panel. Firestar thinks she doesn’t like that they’re intimidating JJJ into doing their bidding like Carnage did, even tho, I mean, not even remotely the same situations. But at any rate, the next edition of The Bugle runs with a front page reading “Carnage Come Home,” and he sees it. Meanwhile, the elder Parkers arrive at Peter & MJ’s building, including Mary for a change, complaining about cab fare and worrying that they couldn’t get ahold of the kids, when a gang announcing itself as “The Bedrocks” tells them they own this street now (Hilarious as always), and then, out of absolutely nowhere…
The Molten Man who refuses to wear pants! That explanation for Flash being there seems pretty bad, but then, Felicia is always hanging out with Peter without him, which seems like it should be cause for concern, so I guess it’s ok. While they’re presumably making MJ come up with excuses for Peter’s absence, Evil Team has reached the abandoned orphanage, where Carnage is ready to flashback for everyone to say how it all began.
The writing on the baddies is inconsistent in every title. Well, anyway, the good guys reveal themselves as Spider-Man webs the hole in the wall to, I guess prevent them from leaving, as if this place isn’t a rickety ruin, but we cut away to Deathlok still being electrocuted from last issue, until a hand smashes through the sign to free him, as the latest D-lister to join Hero Team makes his entrance…
Iron Fist’s profile may have risen these days due to some really good comics and a really bad Netflix show, but into 1993, he was a real nobody. So he fits right into this story! Back at the ruin, Venom has just somehow blasted the entire Evil Team out of the building Spider-Man was trying to keep them in with the sonic gun that only hurts symbiotes and seems like it shouldn’t be able to hit that many people, and the battle is joined. Again. There’s a quick cut to let us know Morbius is taking a vampire nap, then back to the empty posing, where Black Cat really tells it like it is in panel one:
Carnage’s razor sharp tendrils slice Spider-Man to ribbons, and the fight is over. Just kidding. Even tho that’s easily what could have happened, for no obvious reason, Carnage reels Spider-Man in to kill with his clawed fingers, giving Firestar time to save him with a zap of her power. Venom joins in with the gun, which seems to be having zero effect, but then Firestar is back with her microwave power, which is making the, uh, not-symbiote melt right off Carnage.
Just… another… scoop… of face meat. What… even…?
Careful, guys, something almost happened this issue. Wouldn’t want anything of consequence to occur before the last chapter. Tune in next time for more fun in the sun.