Fear Itself #3 – Review

by Matt Fraction (writer), Stuart Immonen (penciller), Wade von Grawbadger (inker), Laura Martin & Larry Molinar (colorists), and Chris Eliopoulos (letterer)

The Story: A major Marvel hero dies at the hands of Skadi/Sin, the final member of the Worthy is chosen, and Thor tries to escape prison and rush to Midgard’s aid.

The Review:  I’ve really been enjoying Fear Itself thus far, but I’ve been pretty honest in saying that the sub-text and tone of the story was often more interesting than the hammer-laden story itself.  I’ve really loved that inclusion of desperation and anxiety that has made the book feel relevant, current, and a surprisingly smart read.

So yeah, cue my disappointment when Fraction basically forgets about that sub-text altogether this month, instead focusing on the Worthy stomping about with their hammers and a crapload of action scenes.  It’s not a bad comic in itself, but certainly a letdown given what we’ve been getting, as the book immediately becomes less nuanced and a whole lot simpler.  It’s dangerously close to going from being a book that’s a reflection of the times, to being “just another” superhero comic event.

There’s a lot of fighting, yes, but things also seem to move slowly.  Thor’s inevitable escape from Asgard seems a little more long-winded than it needed to be, for example.  In other cases, pre-event hype hurts the book: the identity of the last member of the Worthy, crowned this month, has been known for quite some time now.  I mean, even the book’s cover more or less gives it away.

On the other hand, there are definitely things to like about the issue.  The ending, for example, is very well plotted and sequenced and delivers the “shit just got real” effect that was clearly intended, particularly given the deceased characters’ identity and his/her last words.  Things definitely feel a lot more dangerous and the superhero community, and the world itself, continues to look vulnerable and truly in danger, not an easy feat in superhero comics.   While some might have predicted it, the death is nonetheless one that’ll hit home for a lot of readers, as it should.

The end result is one that shows much of what the last page of last month’s issue told.  That is, it emphasizes the powerlessness of the Marvel Universe’s heroes in the face of this threat.  From the Hulk running rampant and tossing Betty around, to the major Marvel characters who die and transform to join the Worthy, to a pitiful last stand late in the issue, the point is driven home.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: American Vampire #15 – Wowie!  What a strong week for comics: AV #15, Detective #877, Butcher Baker #3, Walking Dead #85, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #6….  When there is a murderer’s row of comics like that, I tend to break the tie by which comic was the most memorable and this week is was AV #15.  This series is showing NO signs of letting up and there is no excuse to not be reading this excellent series that hasn’t had a single grade lower than B+ during it’s run.  Snyder’s script of U.S. Marine/Vampire Hunters on a Japanese held island during WWII coming into contact with some funky and feral vampires really gives Rafael Albuquerque a chance to show off.  Wow.  Runner-up: Butcher Baker #3

Most Anticipated: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 – A LOT of anticipated books this week, so I’m going to go with one that is least likely to let me down.  I don’t think I’ve ever read a poor issue of Criminal.  Even when the story isn’t grabbing me, it is always noirish as hell and has great art by the Sean Phillips/Val Staples team.  Comics would be better (and taken more seriously by other adults )if we had fewer Batman, X-Men and Flashpoint titles and more comics like Criminal.

Other Picks: 50 Girls 50 #1, Haunt #16, Turf #5, Fear Itself #3, SHIELD #1, Who is Jake Ellis #4, Thunderbolts #158

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Mighty Thor #2 – Everything really just came together this week for Matt Fraction’s Thor.  Tone-wise and character-wise everything was in place and I felt that we were now getting a Thor book that not only more forged ahead than rode JMS’ coat-tails, but also one that I could see continuing for years to come.  That alone is praise enough, but when you factor in Olivier Coipel’s fantastic art and my love of Thor, well, this is an easy choice for me.

Most Anticipated: Fear Itself #3 – It was neck and neck between Fear Itself and the first issue of the new Criminal.  Yeah, I know, the two books couldn’t be any more different. But I went with Fear Itself (*boo* *hiss*, I know) because, much like Flashpoint, it’s an event that’s succeeded in making me excited and wanting to read more.  Granted, that’s for entirely different reasons than Flashpoint.  For Fear Itself, it’s because this looks like an event that actually puts story first, and not status quo changing events or stuffing as many characters and as much flashy action on the page as possible.  So yeah, with Fraction’s promising a major event/twist in the story with every issue, I’m really curious to see what he’s got coming up this Wednesday. But wait….Flashpoint #2 is coming out as well?  Well…um….I’ll go with Fear Itself because….I’m the one reviewing it?

Other Picks: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1,  Flashpoint #2, Secret Six #34, Amazing Spider-Man #663, Moon Knight #2, SHIELD #1, Uncanny X-Force #11, Sweet Tooth #22

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kirby Genesis #0 – The third installment of Carbon Grey was a strong contender, with a wild story and great art, but there was an irrepressible exuberance to Kirby Genesis #0 that really felt like I was watching something great being revealed. Kirby’s bursting creativity has been gone for a long time, but his inheritors are giving his works life again.

Most Anticipated: X-Men #12 – This is the second installment of the Evolutionaries story that began in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and left us on a cliff-hanger as Scott remembered an encounter with these genetic shepherds way in the past of the original X-Men. I’m eager to see where Yost is taking this high-concept piece and loving the art.

Other Picks: Criminal: Astonishing X-Men #39, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle of Tull #1, Ozma of Oz #7, Uncanny X-Force #11, X-23 #11