Warning: spoilers for Carnage #8!Right now in the Marvel Universe, Cletus Kasady and Carnage are separated, but that has only made Cletus more dangerous. The serial killer/symbiote combo have a long history of horror, with each feeding the other's darkest instincts, but separating them hasn't neutralized this - rather, it has spread the danger even more drastically.
Having moved on from its original host after the serial killer's death, the Carnage symbiote is on a mission to effectively become a god. It has been stealing various powers from D-list villains from across the Marvel Universe such as Hydro-Man and the Spot. Then, it traveled to Hel in order to encounter the disgraced dark elf Malekith. Carnage wanted a piece of the symbiote codex from him. However, the villain was pursued into Hel by a detective who has a piece of the Carnage symbiote attached to him, allowing what remains of Cletus to talk to him telepathically.
After getting what he wanted, Carnage returns to Earth in Carnage #8 by Ram V and Roge Antonio. Also in this issue, an online streamer visits St. Agnes, the orphanage were Cletus Kasady grew up. He is surprised to find the building haunted, as the ghost of Cletus Kasady has latched onto the building. Detailing how the building had allowed him to survive in this astral form, Cletus is now positioning himself to become the strongest spirit in the Marvel Universe.
Cletus Kasady Is In Two Places At Once
This is a unique position for Cletus. More will certainly be revealed in issues to come, but as of this moment, it appears as if Cletus is in two places at once. He is in his spirit form in St. Agnes, but he is also talking to the detective inside his head. It seems as if he is unable to leave St. Agnes, but while inside the detective's head, he is able to go wherever the detective does and has been helping him pursue Carnage and put a stop to the symbiote's plans.
There are two possibilities. Either Cletus is able to stay in St. Agnes while still communicating with the detective, or these are two different individuals entirely. In this case, Cletus has effectively cloned himself. He's able to be one individual as a shade in St. Agnes and plot his return from there while also having an autonomous form operating independently, piggybacking on the Carnage symbiote despite their separation. Either way, this shows that the notorious serial killer is growing stronger and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the future of the Marvel Universe. Carnage may be pursuing godhood as a solo operator, but Cletus is as evil and cunning as any symbiote, and his new status quo is allowing him to challenge the alien villain's evil with shocking malevolence of his own.
Carnage #8 is now available from Marvel Comics.
