By Title: Fear Itself
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writers: Matt Fraction
Artists: Stuart Immonen, Laura Martin
Story Rating: 10
Art Rating: 10
Color Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10
The true All Father of Asgard rises to take over the world and his name is Serpent. Marvel Comics explores a new terror one thought to be lost in the ages. The Avengers, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four may not be powerful enough to take on Serpent and his army.
Matt Fraction writes a story full of will, power, and pain as Thor takes on threats of the past in order to preserve the future. In WW2 a magical hammer fell from the sky but not for those pure of heart, but filled with rage. Sin the daughter of the Red Skull finds the first hammer and with its mighty power ascends to Thor level strength. She frees Serpent from his magical prison and the two villains begin to take over the planet.
Serpent assembles an army of villains and heroes who have been corrupted with God like power by these magical hammers and become The Worthy. Odin prepares for war as he is not powerful enough to face his brother alone.
When the world burns the Avengers assemble, heroes clash all over the planet as the chaos grows and Serpent more powerful. Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor along with numerous heroes battle the likes of Juggernaut, Absorbing Man, Attuma and other known villains.
Stuart Immonen uses bold outlines and details when pencilling characters and the environment. He uses cross hatching and thick detail lines sparingly. Therefore, the page is not riddled with unnecessary pencil streaks. The style of artwork still displays a comic cartoon style befitting the superhero genre.
Laura Martin integrates her skill within the page with strategic color choices. Bright hues of purple, green, and blue are proper when displaying the righteous powers of iconic characters. The intensity of colors only grows as the story reaches it conclusion.
In the aftermath of the great battle Earth and Asgard will never be the same. This complete graphic novel Fear Itself is its own other world story. A story that also explores the elements of family as Serpent is Thor’s uncle. This graphic novel is for fans who favor the Norse mythology and legacy of Thor. In the end all fans of comic books can enjoy this tale filled with fantasy and family.
