REVIEW: Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1- Bringing That Hurt

Lasher- Greener, More Aggressive (Lackadaisical preservation of human life) Doc Ock

To Set Tone- ♫♪ Master of Reality ♪♫

Part 4 of 8- Halftime is always a good place to start

I debated doing this blind- reading the other parts or just dive in. As per my personality, I said fornicate it and fall back on that old saying I’m about to butcher–

“The story should be good and educational enough to allow a ‘free-reader’ to pick up and feel confident to finish the series!”

Before I start, MOONEYHAM is a beast name- I shall steal.

So, we got:

Clay McLeod Chapman writing.

Chris MOONEYHAM and Danilo S. Beyruth (solid name too) ~~artist-ing~~ illustrating.

Marcio Menyz and Jim Campbell illustrating via color.

S SKAN illustrating the cover.

And a slew of solid people varying from artists to editing to the hive.

(I do not regret the format I chose)

Cover-

Great and ominous.

The sweet blend of crimson to hunter green flows well. Tendrils covering the negative space and an angry person trapped in a few as well. Vague moon distorted by the chaos– 10/10

Begs the question(s): Is he fleeing? Is he attacking? Is he Spider-Man/Mary Jane-esque city swinging/ site seeing? Let’s find out, SHAMONE!

Following Page-

Nice, info right out the gate, which also confirmed my precognition of tendrils. Very informative, enough to continue on and read it fine and enough to encourage (make) me to want the others. And, upon completion, doubling back cleared up nearly all the uncertainties I had.

Story Line-

I was filled-in then flung into action. Not a hesitation even considered. BWOM!

Through the precision of information via the prior page, I easily pieced characters together, as well the flow.

Overall, very happy with this cosmic comic. It delivered what was advertised. A well-placed track in the 8-piece set. Being able to follow along with minimal issues (and minimal knowledge prior to reading) was a pleasant experience. I was able to go along, head up and bewildered by the cacophony of mayhem that laid before me. Sufficiently entertaining, though I do cater to the symbiote sorts. Their deviance and such. One thing I always enjoyed is the senseless killing by Carnage and kin.

Also, clever use of columns- two similar story lines, as it pertained to each, with similar actions and intent (escape) represented beside each other, left column and right. Both fleeing but both having their own standards and boundaries. It was a beauty.

Visuals-

Gorgeous. Depictions of agony, melancholy, as well as joy, all emotions present and well accounted for.

Color use and just, all, all of it, so good. These people obviously know what the hell they are doing.

I saw loss of hope, complete despair in the excruciatingly detailed eyes, I’m pretty sure I saw Yoda, various details in the background that really helped the tone. The thematic approach to each page was on point. I felt the mood change simply from the coloring, then the images solidified the emotion. The subtle differences in each symbiote, beyond color, is fascinating and well thought out- playing roles in their actions and powers. Thorough and precise, as all things should be.

Writing-

Zeroed in and executed. Good pacing and even. Kept a jovial take while introducing the dark, more emotional side. It’s like “Pennywise”, funny/goofy but you can’t help but know he will eat you. That’s the emotion carried throughout the comic. Humor conveyed through violence and a psychotic mind. I had no issues, seemingly well flowing and non-stagnant. Seemed more on the quick side with few instances of calm for you to steady your mind and heart before ramping back up. I found it fun and delightful. Hard hitting psychological processes which would cripple just about anybody- a subject they toyed with throughout this journey. Each had their voice, and each were understandable. Solid writing.

Sound-

Imitation of, mind you. Could be along with one of the others, but I felt it deserved its own place. Well placed and informative throughout. I wish I could go more inside this but, I’ll fixate on just one- Thrum. There’s a series of panels, footed with repeating ‘thrum’. It set the tone- brought out the rumbling sensation -great way to present the inner process of a bonding.

Thoughts-

The style and approach were excellent. I also chose my music well, “Into the Void” came on as if following a silent cue. I like the questions-to-answers from panel-to-panel (what happened? [next panel] Oh!) delivers the story well. I’ve always been fascinated with the symbiote/host duplicity. I think it brought the attention of what I’ve always considered the symbiotes, allegories of mental illnesses (of all varieties). Obviously splashed with fantasy but brewed from an internal struggle placed to paper. For instance, one form could represent the embodiment of mental toxicity. How it only takes a moment of exposure, and you’re overran with the toxin. And this now breaks you down and those around you. The only way to remove it, or at least one of the few, is to expose yourself to harsh elements- reality -until you finally manage to pull yourself out of it or, better yet, scrub the stain from yourself.

Concerns-

One issue is I felt like the short for cousin should be cuz and not coz, but that’s just preference.

All in all- 4.5 out of 5

Thorough and precise, as all things should be.

THRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUMTHRUM