Absolute Carnage Reading Order

Absolute Carnage was a 2019 crossover title which included many Marvel characters outside his usual sphere of Spider-man related characters. Written by Donny Cates and drawn by Ryan Stegman, Absolute Carnage merges with his other work at the time, specifically Venom and King in Black.

In terms of scope, absolute carnage is one the character’s biggest storylines ever in terms of scale, however as far as reading orders go it is relatively simple, but what it does do is it opens a can of worms for the reader who will find themselves needing to brush up on super villain Knull beforehand and then Venom/King in Black afterwards.

Absolute Carnage was reviewed very highly and was seen at the time as one of the finest moments in Carnage/Cletus Kasady.

Here’s the guide on how to read Absolute Carnage, in order, through both trade paperbacks and collecting loose issues.

Absolute Carnage Trade Reading Order

Absolute Carnage Omnibus

The easiest way is to buy the Absolute Carnage omnibus, it collects all of the issues you need from the main issues and the tie ins for one complete and coherent storyline. It’s rather expensive and hard to get a hold of.

The one issue with is for people who also want to get Donny Cate’s Venomnibus as the issues do repeat if you have both.

Collects: Absolute Carnage #1-#5, Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool (2019) #1-#3, Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel #1, Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider- Man #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Of Vengeance #1, Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors #1-#3, Absolute Carnage: Avengers #1, Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #1-#3, Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus #1, Absolute Carnage: Scream #1-#3, Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1, Amazing Spider-Man #29-#31, Venom #16-#20, and Absolute Carnage Stinger Pages.

But, wait. There’s a curve ball!

Venomnibus by Cates and Stegman

It’s true that the Absolute Carnage omnibus is perfect for that reading order, but for those who want to read AC and then the rest of Donny Cates work on Venom and King in Black there is a head scratcher. Getting AC omnibus and the Venomnibus means you get a couple of repeats (Venom #16-#20, Absolute Carnage #1-#5 so not too bad) BUT it does contain Absolute Carnage #1-5.

If you want the complete set and want to save money you’d need both but if you want the core AC experience but the full Donny Cates run then just stick with Venomnibus.

Collects Venom #1-#35, Venom Annual #1, Web of Venom: Ve’Nam #1, Web of Venom: Carnage Born #1, Web of Venom: Wraith #1, Absolute Carnage #1-5, King in Black #1-#5; material from Free Comic Book Day 2019 #1, Free Comic Book Day 2020 (Spider-Man/Venom) #1, Incoming #1, Carnage: Black, White & Blood #2.

Absolute Carnage Issue by Issue Reading Order

So, you’ve either got the omnibus or you want to get all the issues and read them in their intended chronological order. Here’s that order:

1. Absolute Carnage #1
2. Absolute Carnage: Ghost Rider #1
3. Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man #1
4. Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1
5. Absolute Carnage: Scream #1-3
6. Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #1-3
7. Venom #17
8. Absolute Carnage #2
9. Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #1-2
10. Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors #1-3
11. Absolute Carnage: Avengers #1
12. Venom #18
13. Venom #19
14. Absolute Carnage #3
15. Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3
16. Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk #1
17. Absolute Carnage #4
18. Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus #1
19. Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel #1
20. The Amazing Spider-Man #30-31
21. Absolute Carnage #5
22. Venom #20

That’s it, that’s the whole absolute carnage reading order. It’s not a long run at all but that’s because Carnage plays a smaller role in a much bigger picture which is detailed in Donny Cate’s Venom and King in Black crossover.

Last update on 2022-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API