Carnage is one of the deadliest symbiotes in the Marvel Universe, and he is now recreating a weapon that will make him even more powerful.
The following article contains spoilers from Carnage #9, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
The plans of Carnage, Marvel’s deadliest symbiote, are rarely good for the rest of the Marvel Universe. However, the ending of Carnage #9 (by Ram V, Francesco Manna, Erick Arciniega, VC’s Joe Sabino) reveals that the symbiote’s new scheme wouldn’t just be bad for the people of the universe, but also for the gods that inhabit it. He currently wants to possess All-Black, an ancient sword that is known to be capable of killing gods, and that is the least of its capabilities.
Historically, All-Black has only been wielded by the most twisted Marvel villains. So, it was only a matter of time before Carnage got his turn to wield the blade. Considering that the sword might have a higher headcount than Carnage does at this point, putting the two together could turn the rogue symbiote into a new God Butcher.
Marvel’s Most Dangerous Sword Is Making a Comeback
After having traveled to the ruined dwarven forge, Nidavellir, Carnage slaughtered anyone who got in his way to free the captive blacksmith, Drorin Runehewer. As the brother of Nidavellir’s fallen king, Eitri, Drorin was the only one Carnage could trust to forge his desired weapon. Using a codex he extracted from Malekith, he instructed Drorin to reconstruct All-Black, an ancient sword originally created by Knull, the symbiote god. Debuting in Thor: God of Thunder #2 (by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic), All-Black is technically the first symbiote, and is therefore alive. It was forged from the evil within Knull himself. It was wielded in his genocidal campaign across the universe before Knull was finally stopped the first time.
Even then, All-Black’s dark purpose was not done, as it ended up in the hands of the god-hating alien, Gorr, who used it to continue murdering gods across the universe. This earned him the moniker: God Butcher. Aside from killing gods though, All-Black has demonstrated a frightening level of power. It consumed black holes it was thrown into, cheated death multiple times, and can even of expand its lethal touch across time and space if used in the correct way. It was last seen being destroyed by Eddie Brock during his final confrontation with Knull, but it seems that Carnage has found a way to reconstitute the weapon.
Carnage Could Become a New God Butcher
That sword has caused nothing but misery since it was forged, but for all the horrors it has unleashed, this much can be said: its wielders had a plan. Carnage however is slaughter incarnate. If he manages to get his claws on that weapon, he won’t restrict his killing to whatever god crosses his path. It just means that there will be fewer people capable of resisting him now.
This is a weapon that can break worlds, and Carnage already has some ideas for “modifications” meaning that if Drorin goes through with remaking the sword, it will be deadlier than ever. What’s worse is that Drorin speculates that Carnage will likely bond with All-Black, absorbing its power into his very being and potentially transforming him into one of the deadliest symbiotes to ever exist. Giving Carnage a weapon that can kills worlds is bad enough, but the devastation he could unleash if that sword becomes a permanent part of his power is terrifying to imagine.
