As usual, Marvel have something to say about their intellectual property…

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fear Itself #3 (of 7), from comics superstars Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen! As The Worthy’s campaign of mayhem burns worldwide, Sin comes closer than ever at completing the one task her father never could – the complete conquest of the Marvel Universe! With Thor locked away in Asgard, will Captain America and the rest of the Avengers fall to the forces of Fear Itself? And what fate awaits the hammer that fell on Yancy Street? The tide of war runs blood red as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes learn the true price of the Serpent’s war this June, only in Fear Itself #3 (of 7)!

FEAR ITSELF #3 (of 7)
FEAR ITSELF #3 (of 7) IMMONEN VARIANT )
FEAR ITSELF #3 (of 7) CAMUNCOLI VARIANT
Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by STUART IMMONEN
Cover by STEVE McNIVEN
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Variant Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
On Sale – 1/06/11

Your First Look At FEAR ITSELF #2

Marvel is proud to present your first look at Fear Itself #2 (of 7), from comics megastars Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen. The comic blockbuster of 2011 is here and fans and critics everywhere are asking “Who are The Worthy?” Seven hammers of unfathomable power have fallen to the far corners of the Earth and the race is on to see who will be the Serpent’s champions. With the Asgardians leaving the Marvel Universe to fend for itself, can the Avengers repel a foe that gets stronger the more he’s feared? The Marvel Universe’s worst nightmare comes true this May as the event iFanboy.com calls “a huge, epic story that is exactly the kind that comic books are made for” continues, only in Fear Itself #2 (of 7)!

FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) (MAR110612)
FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) IMMONEN VARIANT (MAR110613)
FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) McNIVEN VARIANT (MAR110614)

Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by STUART IMMONEN
Cover by STEVE McNIVEN
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Variant Cover by STEVE McNIVEN

On Sale – 4th May 2011

Matt Fraction is writing a comic blockbuster with movie blockbusters in mind, but it’s still great to read. With the release of Thor at the end of the month it’s apparent that fleshing out the father/son relationship between the two Asgardians is something that the film also shares (if the trailers are anything to go by). It sets up the series for old and new audiences alike, though Steve Rogers had much less of a role in this book, but I can imagine as the film release gets closer, he’ll step up to the wicket (or ‘the plate’ for all you yanks). Especially as he isn’t Captain America at the moment… OOOO, maybe he’ll start Captain America Incorporated!!

Immonen’s art is a safe bet. It does exactly as its told and doesn’t take any chances, while its impossible to fault something merely for being safe (as safe is still good right?) I do like things to be a little more interesting. I want my dragons to be unlike anyone else’s dragons, I want my panels to show more movement than just up and down, and left to right… Who am I kidding though? This is a mainstream comic mega-event. They’re not going to do anything to put people off if they can help it, and it still looks great, I’m just in a picky mood.

There was a worry amongst some, that Fear Itself would be the premature end of The Heroic Age, something many people welcomed after some dark days in Marvel comics. It’s safe to say though, that even with the real world issues Fear Itself touches upon, heroes do still seem to be heroes, and the tone does still seem to be light, and Fear Itself is still perfect escapism. At the heart of it, there is a villain whom is being awakened who will surely endanger the world. Who do you think might try and stop this villain if not for heroes? This was a great start to what promises to be a great read. One that I hope won’t ask me to spend ALL of my money, but may offer me more depth where I want it. You shouldn’t fear Fear Itself… because it looks quite good.

Joe Innes.

Fear Itself is released on the 6th April 2011.

Marvel Says:

Marvel is proud to debut the sensational cover to Fear Itself #1 (of 7), from superstar artist Steve McNiven! Prepare to fear tomorrow as comic luminaries Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen deliver the most anticipated event of 2011, kicking off in a colossal 56 page first issue! From the halls of Avengers Tower to the spires of Asgard, the entire Marvel Universe is about to enter a waking nightmare and no show of force, no attempt to reason, not even unconditional surrender can ever undo the damage done.

As Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Iron Man and the rest of Earth’s mightiest heroes find themselves drafted into an eons-old war, will they have the combined resolve to combat their own worst fears personified? Can their loved ones and teammates escape from under the boot heel of Sin, the new Red Skull? And just what secret do her perverse plans share with the endless abyss beneath the Rainbow Bridge? Extinguish all hope because, this April, the Marvel Universe changes forever, only in Fear Itself #1 (of 7)!

Written by MATT FRACTION

Pencils and Cover by PASQUAL FERRY

On-Sale 23/02/2011