Karnak the Shatterer, teacher and advisor to the royal Inhuman family. For a very long period of time, this master martial artist was a blank slate. That is until Warren Ellis takes up the character in a solo title. Through Ellis, the audience gets an uneasy look at how this warrior monk sees the world. With an unnatural talent to see the flaws in things and using it to cripple anything, one can’t help but be cynical. But what about when your flaws are reflected back at you? Do you destroy that foundation and start anew; or is it better to accept those flaws? Spoilers ahead!

The Foundation of Karnak

For years, people were under the impression that Karnak is a typical Inhuman going through the Terrigenesis process. This sacred metamorphosis is a choice where Inhumans can gain great power among their peers. Some are simple like controlling hair, others are more drastic. This is the case with Karnak’s brother Triton; after his terrigenesis, he was unable to leave water for a long period of time. So Karnak’s parents prevent him from going through the metamorphosis. Denied the choice to openly express himself, he hones a natural talent in finding the flaws in things.

With this Karnak gains great power that even surpasses his fellow Inhumans. From destroying structures and finding the flaws in systems people live and die by. It’s what allowed him to come back from the dead. Karnak however becomes philosophically nihilistic from the lessons of his father’s institution. Which is where the primary conflict comes in.

Nihilism isn’t the same as pessimism people

The Weakness in Foundation

Warren Ellis uses speculative realism and where they intersect with teachings around nihilism and pessimism. Nihility is the absence of any meaningful or necessary relationship between people and the world. Karnak believes that people and the lives they lead have no meaning. Anything that seems out of place sets him off. It’s one of the reasons he keeps a naturally made crystalline cube at his work place. The object has no meaning yet it defies the chaotic nature of the universe and became structurally perfect. Therein lies the contradiction with nihilism, Kyoto School professor Keiji Nishitani describes this as “impersonally personal”. How can something that has no meaning, mean so much to a person?

For Karnak, it’s a state that he comes into conflict with when he needs to find a missing Inhuman. When finding the young man’s “abductors”, Karnak finds out they worship him as a messiah. Adam Roderick, having gone through Terrigenesis gained the ability to influence his surroundings. At first appearing to only cure his allergies, Adam can also convince people to change their mindsets and gain powers. Standing in contrast to Karnak is the belief of existentialism, the worth of existing.

Living For Life’s Sake

Many of Adam’s followers were originally terrorists or people on the verge of suicide. Meeting Adam allows them to feel bliss and express themselves in ways mirroring the Inhumans. Karnak himself is given the choice to undergo what he was denied of by his parents. This subjective reality however comes with its own flaws. What’s the point of existing when that means offering your life to someone else? These people aren’t really living for themselves, just Adam.

Are You Your Own Person?

Adam’s ability to influence others and even create something from nothing is all dependent on his state of mind. He is an empathetic person who believes something can become meaningful, especially if he can give it to them. But if Adam’s powers allow him to influence others; doesn’t that also mean he can convince himself that he’s what people think of him? He could’ve even convinced himself that he was never captured and overwritten his own memory and reality. While Adam seems not to possess any flaws to his beliefs, he is still dependent on his powers.

When Karnak confronts him and finds this flaw, he is able to remove Adam’s powers. However with his own integrity compromised by doubts, Karnak takes his anger out on Adam. Left paralyzed and mentally handicapped, Adam is returned to his parents. But Karnak finds his beliefs shattered by his very philosophy.

Warren Ellis in Karnak

Warren Ellis has a reputation of reworking some characters into more psychologically flawed people. The highlight of this comes from Ruins, a highly realistic and pessimistic look at the Marvel universe; if its elements were close to reality. The Hulk for example is a mass of tumors. Unlike say Nextwave, this and other titles are downright depressing. Karnak stands as a criticism to that part of Ellis.

Ellis is a believer in the potential of humanity but he has constantly depicted his frustrations with them too. Transmetropolitan at the very least can make this fun. Even Ellis admits working with Karnak gives him some emotional damage. Which is likely why there are delays between the issues. Dealing with heavy themes that can make people cry is a bit of burden. It’s also why the clash with Adam feels so personal. Because for both Karnak and Ellis, there were times when they believed they could be anything they want.

What do you all think? Is there a great divide between existentialism and nihilism? Or are people better off not thinking about it? Thanks for coming to the end and as always, remember to look between the panels.

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