Marvel to Unveil 'Shattered Heroes' Tomorrow

Regardless of the unsatisfactory taste that Fear Itself (the book and the event) has left in my mouth recently, it’s hard to dispute that Marvel effectively handles the aftermath of a huge event Marvel teased something called “Shattered Heroes” yesterday, which might just be the banner across a slew of your favorite books come October when Fear Itself (and X-Men: Schism for that matter) concludes.

Today’s teaser reveals the heroes who have come center-stage in the main title and the supporting books looking as war-torn as can be. One of the characters from the Forgiven teasers (which also began popping up this week) is featured alongside the heroes as well as a mystery person standing behind Valkyrie.

Tomorrow Marvel will feature a “Next Big Thing” press conference to expound upon “Shattered Heroes.” Marvel Architects Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker will be joined by the SVP Executive Editor Tom Brevoort as they pave the way into the 616’s own fallout. Marvel announced Fraction and Brubaker’s first “Shattered Heroes” books today along with a handful of others that deal with a post-Fear Itself world.

Is 'Fear Itself' Living Up to Expectations?

Does Fear Itself have the depth it seemed to promise when teased last December?

As Marvel’s summer event winds down, I wondered after issue #5, is Fear Itself a big enough story?

I don’t think so. There doesn’t seem to be enough meat to the story to warrant a seemingly endless number of crossovers and minis that are beginning to feel repetitive. We’re five months in and, while the book contains a formidable antagonist for the entire Marvel U, the story is not as dense and layered as it needs to be.

A forgotten evil has arisen and turned seven villains and heroes into his avatars of destruction who then tear across the planet. Really, there isn’t much more to Matt Fraction’s mini-series than that. Unfortunately, when an event comes along we expect more substance. I was expecting, when the action seemed to kick into high gear with the last issue, that issue #5 would present some surprise or turning point for the book. But now it seems to have become a bombastic action piece with little heart to it (there’s been some, but not enough to pull readers in emotionally).

Marvel previews 'Fear Itself' #5

I think Fear Itself is becoming a pretty divisive book among comic readers. I’m in one corner—I appreciate the big blockbuster feel of the story. In the other corner are readers who feel that not enough is happening to move the story along and the book is not focusing on any of the characters long enough to care about the proceedings.

Of course this is all subjective. How do we approach this material as a reader? For me, I take this as a big Michael Bey film where lots of stuff explodes and my favorite characters are all caught in the middle. I’m familiar with everyone involved, Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and so on, so I’m not looking for long expository scenes with these characters—this doesn’t feel like that kind of a story.

Sure books like Identity Crisis and Civil War, though filled with tons of heroes, took time for strong character moments, but I don’t think Fear Itself is aiming to match those books tonally. As I hear the arguments against the event, I can understand why some readers feel slighted. However, I’m still enjoying the book. To put it flatly, each time I read it I feel entertained. And that’s what a comic book is supposed to do.

Marvel Teases: The Mighty

Marvel has released their second teaser of the day, this time relating to Fear Itself. We've already seen all of The Serpent's Worthy and now we'll be getting their opponents: The Mighty. It appears these characters will be supercharged by Odin in order to take on The Worthy.

Most of these silhouette seem obvious but there's bound to be some trickery going on. Here's my best guess at the characters from Left to Right: Ms. Marvel, Iron First, Dr. Strange, Iron Man, Sif, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man (the main Avengers team plus Sif).

I know that a lot of fans are going to groan and gripe and accuse Marvel of being taken over by their Disney overlords and forced to make their characters look like they jumped out of Tron: Legacy but, personally, this image gets me extremely excited. I think we're about to see some of the most epic brawls in the history of the Marvel Universe in the next few months.

Max Beckman is a manager at Pulp Fiction in Long Beach, CA and CheapGraphicNovels.com. You can follow him on Twitter @CheapGNsdotcom and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pulpfictioncomics. Pulp Fiction can be found on the web at www.pulpfictiononline.com and at 1742 Clark Ave. Long Beach, CA 90815.

Marvel Solicits its August 'Fear Itself' Line-Up

Marvel appears to have drawn the line (sort of). They are shipping one less Fear Itself title in August as compared to July. So we’re down to 26 books (including the main title and two shippings each of Avengers Academy, New Mutants and Thunderbolts).

At this point in the story—August marks the fifth month of the event—every character who is going to be involved in Marvel’s sweeping blockbuster will have probably gotten themselves into the thick of the action. Will August see readers claiming event fatigue? As long as the quality of the supporting books remains high, I suspect that fans will continue to embrace the storyline.

Cape Town Capsule Reviews, 5/4/2011 Releases

By Don M. Ventura

Moon Knight #1

Marvel Comics

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Brian Michael Bendis know what to do with a C-list comic book property. Moon Knight #1 is a testament to the writer’s ability to breathe life into a character who could easily have disappeared into obscurity at this point.

Bendis is joined by long-time collaborator Alex Maleev, whose artwork is less photo-realistic than his current work on Scarlett (also with Bendis). I prefer his work here, sharp defined edges and full of life. Matthew Wilson’s coloring is brilliant as well; I love the pre-modern age comic book textures employed throughout the book.

Bendis sets the action in Los Angeles where Mark Spector has relocated to continue his work as a television producer. The hero is guided by his Avengers teammates, Captain America, Wolverine and Spider-Man, who advise him to take up heroics in the City of Angels. Immediately Moon Knight finds himself knee deep in trouble as he uncovers a plot to obtain an defunct Ultron robot by the immense Mr. Hyde.

The book takes a somewhat surprising twist at the end---that was given away in the early announcements for the series—which is nonetheless effective. This is an exciting beginning for Moon Knight and his Amazing Friends.

Marvel Solicits its July 'Fear Itself' Line-Up

Just in time for Comic-Con, Marvel brings on the Fear this July! Fear Itself and its 27 crossovers and supporting mini-series (this includes the main book and two shippings for Uncanny X-Men). I thought June was big with 18 titles! If you’ve been paying attention to all things Fear Itself, you’ll know that something big happens in issue #3. I’m guessing this may be part of the cause for the jump in books. This is purely speculation of course.

Marvel is keeping Cullen Bunn (Sixth Gun) busy with Fear Itself tie-ins—he’s going to write the Fear-Itself: FF #1; he’s also writing the Fear Itself: The Deep mini and the Fear Itself: Black Widow one-shot. Rob Williams kicks off his new Ghost Rider series with Matthew Clark and tackles Uncanny X-Force in their own three-part mini. For those who want a paper copy of Fear Itself: The Worthy, the physical book will be on sale after the series is offered for free on the Marvel Comics app, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, and Marvel Comics on Chrome—The Worthy goes online in weekly segments beginning on April 27^th.

Review: 'Fear Itself’ #1

By Don M. Ventura

Fear Itself #1

Marvel Comics

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Has Matt Fraction committed heresy in the first issue of Fear Itself? I got to the last page—and there are forty of them—and our heroes still don’t know what they’re up against. Where’s the big explosion? Where’s the reveal of the villain? Where are the heroes, clenching their gloved fists, ready to jump into action?

All good things come to those who wait.

Whether it’s the explosion in Stamford that set off the events in Civil War or the murder of Sue Dibny that rocked the DCU in Identity Crisis, readers have become used to having the first issue of the event book include that “big” moments where all of the heroes know that some serious bad stuff is about to go down.

Gillen Brings 'Fear Itself' to Utopia in 'X-Men' #540

Juggernaut has been on the side of good for a while now in the pages of the X-books and has played a regular role in Thunderbolts. All of that goodness is going to be pushed aside during the course of Fear Itself when Cain Marko is deemed on of the Serpent’s Worthy.

The Worthy are the villains (and possibly heroes) of the Marvel Universe who are going to pick up the Serpent’s hammers, thus becoming evil avatars who look to be drumming up fear throughout the various event crossovers and tie-ins. Now I’ll just cross my fingers that once all is said and done, Juggernaut does not remain on the side of evil. I like me some good Juggernaut.

Marvel Releases 'Fear Itself' Trailer

Marvel could pump me up for cold liver and onions.

Whether it is their daily, mystery-filled teasers, or the trailers for their big events, the company knows how to get readers excited for their goods. Today came the trailer for next week’s Fear Itself, the seven-issue event that is sure to bring a whole lotta bad before the final book comes out towards the end of the year (barring any delays).

Take a look and tell me you don’t want to pick this book up when it drops (from Asgard) next week!

Marvel Solicits its June 'Fear Itself' Line-Up

Last month Marvel solicited ten titles that fall under the Fear Itself banner, including the main series. Three issues in by June and suddenly readers are knee-deep in crossovers and minis. We jump to a whopping 18 titles in all and I would guess the remaining months (remember Fear Itself runs seven issues) will be similarly heavy.

As I’ve said before, it’s important to be a discriminating shopper and only buy the books that interest you. Check out the creative teams, check out the descriptions, but don’t blindly just pick up everything with the Fear Itself banner or you’ll find yourself in the ER with a bad case of chronic Event Fatigue by September.

C2E2: 'Fear Itself' Panel

Marvel’s heavy-hitters were on-hand for today’s Fear Itself panel at C2E2, and they had plenty to say. Series-helmer Matt Fraction appeared with Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), editor C.B. Cepulski, Fred Van Lente (Alpha Flight), and Nick Spencer (Iron Man 2.0).

Fraction presents Fear Itself as Thor’s worst fear as "the Red Skull discovers Odin might not be the All-Father." Ultimately the mini-series is a Captain America and Thor story that reaches far and wide across the Marvel Universe. Fraction said that the ramifications of Fear Itself may be felt for somewhere between one to three years.

'The Thunderbolts' get caught up in Marvel's "Fear Itself"

Continuing the teases and announcements Marvel provides us with a description of the Thunderbolts tie in.

Here is how Marvel describes the issue....

As the Serpent’s deadly Worthy run rampant throughout the Marvel Universe obliterating everything in their path, the fury of Fear Itself strikes the Thunderbolts! In Thunderbolts #158, from the acclaimed creative team of Jeff Parker and Kev Walker, panic strikes the superhuman prison facility – known as The Raft – when one of the mysterious Worthy shows up to reduce the Thunderbolts’ headquarters to rubble. The team must act fast and fight faster if they plan on making it out of Fear Itself alive!

“Not that it's ever calm and stable in the world of Thunderbolts, but now with Fear Itself we blast into catastrophic,” explains writer Jeff Parker. “The job of the team just got several times harder-- I'd say we're going to need TWO teams to deal with what happens when one of our people become Worthy”

This June, the Thunderbolts learn the true meaning of terror when one of their own loses control and unleashes the God of Fear’s unrelenting wrath on the team. Can the Marvel Universe withstand the destruction of the Raft and the surge of its most dangerous criminals back onto the streets? Find out in Thunderbolts #158!

THUNDERBOLTS #158
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by KEV WALKER
Rated T+ …$2.99
ON SALE THIS JUNE!

PS: is that HYPERION???!!!

A new Teaser for 'Fear Itself'

This new teaser shows that the heroes are up for the challenge.

FEAR ITSELF #1 (of 7) (FEB110500)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils by STUART IMMONEN
Cover by STEVE McNIVEN
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—3/14/11, On-Sale—4/6/11

This one reminds me another big event from a few years ago....

Marvel to Offer Free 'Fear Itself' Digital Series This April

Now this is a nice way to keep things fun and to whet our appetites for more! Marvel is offering a free eight-issue digital Fear Itself supporting series this April. The series is titled Fear Itself: The Worthy, and promises to offer more background on those hammer-yielding worthy folks that Marvel has been teasing us about these past few weeks!

Take a peek at the official Press Release after the jump.

Hammer Time!

Check out the cover to Marvel's Fear Itself issue two by artist Steve McNiven

This issue is schedule for release on 5/4/11.

'Fear Itself': Who Are the Worthy?, Part 5

Another day another Fear Itself teaser. Not that I'm complaining. I like the mystery that is developing with these little windows into the story. Based on the solicits that were released this week for Marvel's May titles, it looks as though these hammers that have been popping up in this week's Fear Itself teasers are going to be bad news for the heroes of the Marvel U.

Today's teaser differs from the previous releases in that there is no villain featured prominently in the picture. So the only commonality appears to be the strange hammers that have fallen to Earth, in search of someone worthy (and strong enough 'cause them things look awful heavy) to hold them.

Fear Itself begins this April!

'Fear Itself': Who Are the Worthy?, Part 4

If Fear Itself does not have a cross-promotion with Home Depot or Lowe's, Marvel has really lost an opportunity.

So here we are with our fourth teaser this week for Fear Itself. This one features Dracula, Sin and Ororo all reaching for yet another magical hammer (which may or may not be up to no good).

Fear Itself begins this April!

'Fear Itself': Who Are the Worthy?, Part 3

Our third Fear Itself teaser is out today and we are beginning to a see a theme, no?

Villains (and former villains), for some reason, are making attempts at reaching for Thor-like hammers. Today’s has the Absorbing Man trying to reach for the weapon as Giant Man and Ms. Marvel try to hold him back. We know from yesterday’s solicitations that the Serpent’s Hammers fall to Earth—the search is on for villains “who will join the Serpent as living avatars of his evil.” So who will be worthy? Or should I say…

Who are the worthy?

Fear Itself begins this April!

Marvel Solicits its May 'Fear Itself' Line-Up

April eases into Marvel’s Fear Itself event with a scant six issues of crossovers, tie-ins and the main event. Come May, we may not get knee deep into the thick of it, but there are more tie-ins and supporting titles to choose from for the comic book enthusiast looking for total Fear Itself immersion.

Matt Fraction is responsible for the main book and the Invincible Iron Man tie-in. Nick Spencer, new to the Marvel U, gets his feet wet with his own supporting stories in the pages of Secret Avengers and Iron Man 2.0. Brian Michael Bendis—usually responsible for helming the events at Marvel—gets to kick back and only worry about his corner with Avengers. Two new Fear Itself minis also begin in May: Fear Itself: Spider-Man by Christopher Yost (Red Robin) and Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt by Sean McKeever (Young Allies).