Downtown Metropolis is reeling tonight following a chaotic and unprecedented event involving former Spider-Man Brock Carmichael and the symbiote attached to him. Initial reports indicate a coordinated attack on several high-rise buildings, culminating in a dramatic and visibly disturbing transformation of Mr. Carmichael. Authorities are currently maintaining a tight perimeter around the affected area, and the situation remains classified as a Level Three Emergency Response.

The assault began approximately 7:15 PM local time, with multiple coordinated attempts to breach the security systems of the Sterling Tower and the Bradbury Financial Center. Witnesses described a sudden and overwhelming wave of dark, viscous material pouring from the sky, quickly solidifying into a rapidly expanding mass. Preliminary investigations suggest the substance, later identified as a highly advanced, sentient symbiote, targeted the buildings’ structural integrity before attempting to overwhelm security personnel.

During the ensuing conflict, Mr. Carmichael, who has been under observation following his recent separation from the symbiote, was exposed to a concentrated dose of the material. The transformation was swift and horrifying to observe, with Mr. Carmichael’s body rapidly restructuring and merging with the symbiote. He is now partially encased in a dark, shifting armor, exhibiting enhanced strength and agility, but also displaying a noticeable increase in aggression and a chilling lack of empathy.

“It was… unsettling,” stated Officer Davies, a first responder on the scene. “One minute he was trying to contain the spread, the next he was smashing through reinforced steel like it was cardboard. He didn’t even seem to register the casualties.”

The immediate aftermath saw Mr. Carmichael engaging in a destructive rampage through the city center, disabling police vehicles and overwhelming security forces with alarming ease. He has since retreated to the Bradbury Financial Center, where he is currently barricaded.

“He’s… different,” whispered a security guard who briefly encountered Mr. Carmichael. “Like the spider was *in* him, not just attached. It’s… a darker version of what we saw before.”

Federal authorities, including the Department of Defense, have been alerted and are currently coordinating a containment strategy. The long-term implications of this event remain unclear, but experts are warning of a potential escalation in the ongoing struggle between Mr. Carmichael and the symbiote. The situation is evolving rapidly, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.