review by justin anderson

the plot: Mind Bomb was a one-shot meant to give a glimpse into the mind of Carnage, developing his own cult following. Many details had been left unexplained.... before and after this book.

The plot centers around Government psychiatrist Matthew Kurtz being called into Ravencroft, at Dr. Kafka's request. She doesn't like him being there, but she's failed. We get to see the standard around Ravencroft, including Carnage's babbling, guards taking down a raging prisoner, etc. Kurtz goes into the cell, hoses Kasady with sound, and pumps him full of vitamin C to break the symbiotic bond, and a "classified drug"(which, as Kurtz mentions, "This is what we use on the 'alien abduction' cases in the middle of the night.").

Suggestive, Cletus tells, in detail, how he LOVES to kill, and why. The scenes on these pages are extremely graphic, showing pictures of mutilations, acts of killing, as well as scenes of a young Cletus watching the Kennedy assassination film. The words from Carnage's mouth are also highly disturbing. Finally, the vitamin C wears off, the symbiote rejoins, and Carnage sticks Kurtz's brain, squirting his own twisted view into the man. Insane, Kurtz kills two guards before being put down as Carnage watches.

the review: I can see why this is a special. I doubt it was even sold in stores, it's so graphic. And yeah, the CCA approved it. Makes you wonder what double standard those people are on these days....

Published in 1996, this is about all we really know about Carnage. Most we've been told has been constant contradictions so far, unfortunately. "Silence of the Lambs"? Hardly.... we get a very dark look into a killer's mind, of course. But while dangerous, Carnage is barely Hannibal Lecter. And it's just me, maybe..... even though Dr. Chilton was a worm of a man, he wouldn't let anyone see Hannibal without extreme security. And Kafka just LETS Kurts enter Carnage's cell? He may not be Hannibal Lecter, but Carnage tops the scales on the murder factor. Would YOU go in his cell?

The art is great. Very dark, very grimy. Kyle Hotz took to draw Carnage differently- lots of bone details visible(ribs, pelvis) with defined teeth and tendrils with mouths. This look would see its way into the "Web Flyers" Carnage figure.

Four stars of five. Loses a bit for the fact some of the characters seem to be too dumb for their own good. Plus the high gore factor.

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