Two characters I generally dislike come together in Absolute Carnage vs Deadpool #1, an entry in the Absolute Carnage event. And even though the issue has a more comedic tone than the rest of the event’s horror, it still works and entertains. Yes, I enjoyed a comic with Deadpool and Carnage at the center of it.

Written by Frank Tieri, the issue sees Deadpool finally piss Spider-Man off enough that Spider-Man stops talking to him unless Deadpool seeks help. Off to Ravencroft Deadpool goes but unbeknownst to him, the place is the hideout for Carnage and his cult. For those that don’t know, Absolute Carnage has Carnage and his growing army attempting to get the spines of symbiote wearers to free their god. Up to this comic, the event has had a nice tinge of horror to it. Absolute Carnage vs Deadpool #1 takes a bit of a different route focusing more on Deadpool’s humor.

That humor extends to Carnage who comes off more as a laughable villain than the nightmare depicted in other issues. That’s not a bad thing but there’s absolutely a difference in tone in this comic versus all others. It makes this issue a bit of an outlier. That also makes it a breather in a rather serious and “scary” event.

What also works is Carnage and Deadpool themselves. They play off each other. With tones so diametrically opposed they somehow balance each other out and become tolerable to me.

The art by Marcelo Ferreira fits the tone of it all quite well. With ink by Robert Poggi and color by Rachelle Rosenberg the art is able to do both humor and horror. Compared to early parts of the comic, the tone of the art begins to shift as Deadpool enters the building of nightmares and continues to shift as things spin out of control. The lettering is key too. Joe Sabino nails it with a style that emphasizes the nature of Carnage and his followers.

While I’m not quite there to say you should go out and buy the comic, I do think the trade will be a lot of fun to read.

Story: Frank Tieri Art: Marcelo Ferreira
Ink: Roberto Poggi Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review