Axis: Carnage & Hobgoblin

Both AXIS Carnage and Hobgoblin are some of the finest books I've ever read from Marvel in the past few years. The event that made Hobgoblin and Carnage good, AXIS, was messy (as many Marvel events tend to be) but it was worth it just for these two mini-series. There's also Superior Iron Man which was good too. Both books are hilarious in their own way.Carnage is about the titular supervillain trying his best to be genuinely good. Being a mentally ill maniac, this is not easy. Watching him try to fight his instincts makes Carnage (or Carnage-Man as he goes by) surprisingly endearing and it often ends in quite funny results. I won't spoil any jokes, you need to read it to believe it. The art in the Carnage book is really nice. Normally I'm not a fan of Carnage with white teeth (I prefer Carnage with black teeth) but this art makes it work. It allows him to be more expressive. My only real complaint is that neither Eddie Brock or Flash Thompson show up. It'd be great to see Carnage-Man run into his old enemies and try to convince them he's a good guy but we don't. Especially Eddie since Sin-Eater, the man who helped Eddie lose his job, shows up as the main antagonist. Still even with that in mind, AXIS Carnage is a fun romp. Rick Spears' story telling is superb and German Peralta's art is really fitting for the tone.Hobgoblin is just as good, but in a different way. The thing that keeps you reading here is Roderick Kingsley's (Hobgoblin) moral ambiguity. It's not clear whether Hobgoblin is in it for the money or because he feels truly compelled to be good. Mostly it leans to the former but there are times where it leans to the latter. He's still the same greedy person he's always been but now he sells the identities and equipment of heroes rather than villains. He's trying to make himself out to be a self-help guru of sorts, an instructor for up-and-coming heroes. But there are still fun nods to Hobgoblin's past such as the "Ned Talks" program. Not only that but some of the funniest parts are the two advertisement parodies in the book, mocking PSAs and the classic Marvel fruit pie comics. It might seem absurd that Kingsley already has a parade in his honor by the end, but you've got to remember that there's a lot Hobgoblins running around stopping crime. You might be wondering how come so many people are quick to trust a wanted criminal too, but then you remember these are the people who were okay with Norman Osborn being top cop of the country. Kevin Shinick really knows his Hobgoblin and Javier Rodriguez is second only John Romita Jr. when it comes to drawing the classic Hobgoblin.Overall, I'd have to give this book five stars. Both stories included are fantastic, I fully recommend you buy this book even if it's just for Carnage or Hobgoblin rather than both. But I still suggest you read both, they're worth your time.

I thought this was an amazing story viewing the idea of carnage attempting to become a hero. 10 out of 10

A fantastic read and a brilliant twist on my favorite MARVEL villain. Wonderful artwork and a well told plot. Carnage is hilarious and I'd love to see where they would go with this in future titles.

The art is decent, but the writing is pure amateur. The premise of role-reversal could have been handled with some nuance and depth; instead, it never dips below the surface. This is pure hack writing.

Collecting: Axis: Carnage #1-3--Axis: Hobgoblin #1-3Bonus: 4 Pages of Lozano's Carnage SketchesThis graphic novel collects two miniseries that spun out of the main Marvel  Avengers & X-Men: Axis  event. In the main Axis event, the Nazi super villain Red Skull grafts Professor X's brain to his own in order to make a bid to take over the world. Dr. Strange, Dr. Doom, and the Scarlet Witch attempt to reorient to moral axis of the Marvel universe in order to stop the Red Skull. With unintended consequences the original Hobgoblin and symbiote maniac Carnage have overwhelming compulsions to become heroes!The two stories (Carnage and Hobgoblin) do not intersect and read as stand alone series. The better of the two is the Carnage story. Carnage desperate and inexplicably wants to be a hero. Between his destructive tendencies and macabre flashes from his murderous subconscious, Carnage's attempts to become a superhero don't go according to plan. This miniseries culminates in a battle with Sin-Eater and an almost bittersweet betrayal. This story is 5-stars action and entertainment. Creating a Carnage who elicits empathy from readers is a tall order, and writer Rick Spears completely captured the almost heartbreaking attempt of something pathologically evil desperately trying to be someone good.The Hobgoblin miniseries, on the other hand, never quite rises to the same level of storytelling that the Carnage story achieves. The original Hobgoblin becomes a superhero and self-help guru, dedicating himself to making everyone the best they can be. Past goblins and would-be goblins attempt to stop the reformed Hobgoblin. However the Hobgoblin story ends with a direct tie the Axis main series, so it makes sense to read this story after  Uncanny Avengers Volume 5: Axis Prelude  and before the main  Avengers & X-Men: Axis  event.If you enjoy a big Marvel event as much as I do, this collection is worth picking up. Sometimes comicbooks rise above the genre fiction and manage capture something more: the Carnage mini-series is one of these wonderful moments in comic writing. Unfortunately the Hobgoblin series doesn't quite rise to the same level. However the Hobgoblin series does tease a lead-in to the Axis main event, so readers who plan on picking up the event book will want to read this one first.

It's a villain book unlike any you've ever seen as two of Spider-Man's deadliest foes - Hobgoblin and Carnage - take center stage! Roderick Kingsley, the one and only original Hobgoblin, is back in the suit (for real this time! We swear!) and back in New York with a brand new mission. Meanwhile, something incredible has happened to the symbiotic serial killer Carnage that will have both Cletus Kasady and you reeling! Carnage has returned to NYC , and the city will never look at him the same way again! The effects of AX IS continue in this surprising saga...don't miss it!COLLECTING: Axis: Hobgoblin 1-3, Axis: Carnage 1-3axis really turns things around with the super villains having people's jaws dropping thinking no way this can't be my villain that i know and love especially carnage

Both mini series were awesome!

If you like the kind of humor you’d find in the Scary Movie series then you’ll laugh. If you want any effort put into jokes at all you won’t think it’s funny.The stories are weak. Especially Carnage.

The carnage story wasn't up to much quite forgetable the hobgoblin as a superhero tonny Robbins had a lot of promise and was enjoyable might have made a good standalone series

Not bad.