I have previously mentioned that Marvel Comics have paid a big tribute to the Symbiote revolution during 2019. Absolute Carnage: Scream #1 is smack dab right in the middle of the whole mess. Written by Cullen Bunn, this piece of the puzzle also received assistance from Gerardo Sandoval (penciler), Victor Nava (inker) and Erick Arciniega (color artist).
In order to understand this whole Symbiote catastrophe, we must understand part of the backstory. The Life Foundation has made it their goal to destroy Spider-Man. In order to achieve this, they decided to trap the Venom Symbiote. With this alien parasite in their possession, they decided to make Venom create offsprings. This led to the creation of Scream, Lasher, Riot, Agony and Phage. As with any scientific experiment, things don't go as smoothly as the creative geniuses would hope. After all, genius does border insanity on the spectrum!
This issue focuses on Scream, whose host was Donna Diego. Unfortunately, Diego was murdered by Eddie Brock. While her body was in the ground, the Scream Symbiote found a way to escape. Although this parasite rescued a mother with two children from other Symbiotes, Scream really wanted the mother for its own host. However, Scream thought she was still hearing the voice of the dead Diego. Can a corpse play host to a Symbiote? Even more so, Scream started believing that they were on a mission from God.
Patricia Robertson, whose body played host to Venom for a very short period, decides to come out of hiding and fight. Another previous host, Andi Benton, appears with what appears to be a death-wish without fear. This story ends with Scream realizing that the mission includes doing away with Benton. Meanwhile, not a single soul is safe from the increasing threat from an army of Symbiotes.
