Fear Itself (HCTPB)

All hell breaks loose and fear spreads worldwide like a disease as Sin, the Red Skull’s daughter unearths a magical hammer that will free a powerful evil as ancient as Odin himself. Once freed from it’s underwater prison, The Serpent then unleashes 7 mighty hammers for 7 unlikely beings to be chosen as his soldiers of fear and destruction. Abandoned by The Asgardians, The Avengers must assemble like never before to save the earth from chaos and utter annihilation! Featuring Captain America, Iron Man, Juggernaut, Attuma, Grey Gargoyle, The Thing, The Future Foundation, Absorbing Man, Titania, Hulk, Red She-Hulk, Spider-Man, The Avengers, Thor & The Asgardians, The Red Skull, Sin and Baron Zemo.

You want chaos & mayhem? Action & destruction? Death & carnage? Fries with that? You got it. This book delivers as ancient gods, heroes and villains clash in a royal rumble of biblical proportions. Not since Siege have I read a story with as much crazy earth-shattering battles. Once again, Marvel takes it once step further with Fear Itself.

The characters who are transformed into The Worthy are truly badass, especially Juggernaut. Readers of DC comics will notice some similarities between this story and The Sinestro Corps War from the pages of Green Lantern. Both stories have magical weapons that chose new hosts, the “chosen” ones are displayed with bright lights and the villains use fear as a weapon. Whether you agree or disagree with that statement is entirely up to you to decide. Regardless, I had a blast reading this book, even with it’s predictable ending. The prelude tale “Book Of The Skull”does It’s job to kick start the story. The real meat & potatoes is what follows and It’s pure Marvel magic! Written by Ed Brubaker (Criminal) and Matt Fraction (Defenders) and illustrated by Scot Eaton (Battle Scars) and Stuart Immonen (New Avengers). Immonen’s work is stunning. Originally published as Fear Itself : Book Of The Skull #1 and Fear Itself #1-#7. From Marvel Comics.