The Good
AXIS: CARNAGE #1 was really funny. Watching Carnage -- one of the most heartless and violent villains in the Marvel Universe -- fight his desire to slaughter innocents and instead force himself to do the right thing -- or at least try to -- was consistently entertaining and hilarious. But can that same joke still deliver laughs in the second chapter? Thankfully, the answer is a very clear yes. AXIS: CARNAGE #2 is just as fun as the debut issue and had me cracking up a handful of times.
There's so much goofiness to enjoy and a few gags made me burst into laughter. From reworking his origin story so it's more fitting for a hero to the way he interacts with others, observing this new Carnage is such a twisted and good time. Two bits that gave me especially big laughs were Carnage's handling of a bank robbery ("Taking a victory lap, babe!") and the clever handling of the cliffhanger. Carnage as a villain tends to be hit or miss, but Carnage attempting to be a hero? It's such a good time when Rick Spears is writing.
Artist German Peralta and colorist Rain Beredo's work is consistently polished and does a fine job balancing the violence and the comedy. When Carnage unleashes against an innocent old man, they make sure it doesn't feel cruel and over-the-top; it's executed in a way that reminds us this is a comedy and makes it okay to laugh at it. That said, they can more than handle the darker material, too. The reveal of Emil Gregg is harsh and the messed up opening hits you with plenty of the emotion -- you can see the craziness in Cletus' eyes -- before making you laugh. The first close up of Carnage is haunting, too. Even though this is a comedy, that one panel reminds you of who he truly is. That said, they also do a terrific job making Carnage appear more likable and even silly in the funnier situations. Having him make a promise, while being upside down and having his tongue out, was really amusing, especially since it's immediately after such a violent panel.
The Bad
When a scene revolves around Carnage, it's great stuff. But if the focus isn't on Carnage, it's just not as engaging or interesting. The plot with this new Sin-Eater is slowly unraveling and it just isn't as gripping or entertaining as the rest of the issue. Obviously it doesn't need to be all comedy all the time, but the terrific writing with Cletus just makes the rest of the material feel way less interesting and will leave you anxious to return to the psychotic symbiote. As for the plot, you shouldn't really go in expecting anything other than pure fun. The insight into Cletus is cool, but there isn't really anything compelling -- the focus is clearly just on keeping readers smiling.
Minor gripe: He couldn't use a tendril to grab onto the car in the final scene?
The Verdict
AXIS: CARNAGE is legitimately hilarious and so much fun. Yes, the plot isn't anything special and the time away from Carnage makes you wish you never left the maniacal symbiote's side, but when we are observing Carnage, it's such a good time and full of amazing silliness. This may not have the level of the blood and darkness you'd expect from a Carnage story, but it more than makes up for that with some excellent comedy as we watch Carnage put in one very awkward situation after another. When all is said and done, you know Carnage will eventually go back to his old ways, but this limited series sure is making me wish that won't happen any time soon.