The following contains major spoilers for "Flesh and Blood" from Carnage Reigns Alpha, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Ever since Miles Morales burst onto the scene as the latest web-slinging hero to claim the mantle of Spider-Man, he has taken on some of the most menacing villains the Marvel Universe has to offer. Of course, there are none so horrifying as Cletus Kasady, better known as the longtime host to the Carnage symbiote. Not only have Cletus and Carnage left two of the bloodiest legacies in the history of comics, but they have also left a terrifying mark upon everyone who has crossed their paths, including Miles.
"Flesh and Blood" from the pages of Carnage Reigns Alpha (by David Pepose, Paris Alleyne, Andrew Dalhouse, and VC's Cory Petit) finds Jefferson Morales spending his night consoling his infant daughter Billie, though he can't help but worry about what struggles his son Miles is facing. Unfortunately, Miles has once again been forced to confront Cletus Kasady, whose latest comeback has taken an entire diner hostage. In spite of all Cletus' infamy, Jefferson's fear of what the villain might do is far more acute than most, especially since he knows full well his son is still battling the scars left in the wake of their last encounter.
How Carnage Traumatized Miles Morales
Though Miles had faced off against the Carnage symbiote once before when it was bonded to Norman Osborn, it wasn't until the events of 2019's Absolute Carnage #2 (by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman) that the young Spider-Man got a full taste of the villain's power. During Carnage's crusade to usher in the second reign of Knull, Miles ended up battling against the symbiote and his army of Knull's other thralls, only to become one for himself. Under the symbiote's control, Miles acted as a six-armed apostle of Carnage, yet its influence went infinitely further than just surface deep.
As Miles eventually revealed to Jefferson, Carnage and Cletus' influence over him struck all the way at the core of who he was. Rather than simply being controlled by the villain, Miles was tormented internally, with his own mind being transformed into a landscape spattered with blood, flames, and endless screams. Carnage even went so far as to try and permanently impose his will over Miles by breaking the hero's spirit altogether, promising that he would ultimately come to embrace life as a killer.
Miles Morales is Still Suffering From His Previous Encounter With Carnage
Thankfully, Miles was able to escape the symbiote's clutches, yet he has also proven that there is no escaping the stain of Carnage once it has laid its claim to a person's spirit. Beyond traumatizing Miles and leaving him with what could be a lifetime's worth of agony to sift through, Cletus Kasady may have also left a more literal piece of himself behind within Miles. It is that possibility that raises tensions higher than ever before.
The only reason Cletus has persisted in the form he inhabits today is due to the existence of his Codex within the symbiote body he has claimed. This living record of a person who hosts a symbiote is a concept that has been well-established in the Marvel Universe, as has the Hive which Cletus is no longer a part of. Cletus has managed to develop something of a Hive of his own, however, and there is nothing stopping him from adding to it. Considering he already has a taste for Miles, it may not be long before Cletus decides to take the young hero, or anyone else who gets in his way, under his wing once more.