Fear Itself

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

"Fear Itself" is a 2011 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of a seven-issue, eponymous miniseries written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, a prologue book by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scot Eaton, and one hundred and sixteen tie-in books, including most of the X-Men family of books. The story depicts the various superheroes of the Marvel Universe contending with the Serpent, an Asgardian fear deity who causes global panic on Earth, and who seeks to reclaim the throne of Asgard he contends was usurped by his brother, Odin, father to Thor, when the latter vanquished him ages ago. Within the comics, the characters refer to this conflict as The Serpent's War.

Quick Facts

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writers: Matt Fraction (miniseries); Ed Brubaker (prologue)

Lore & Background

The storyline's title is a reference to a famous quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." The story's antagonist is the Serpent, an Asgardian being who sows doubt and fear among the superheroes of the Marvel Comics Universe. During this conflict, which is referred to among the characters as the Serpent's War, the Serpent is revealed to be Cul, Odin's brother, who assumed the throne of Asgard following the death of their father.

Born at the dawn of time, Cul was subsequently banished and imprisoned by Odin following Cul's corrupt rule, and a prophecy by Yggdrasil that cost Odin his right eye, and which revealed that Cul's madness could only be cured by the death of Odin's son. The Serpent grants seven enchanted hammers to select individuals, transforming them into the Worthy: Kuurth: Breaker of Stone (Juggernaut), Nul: Breaker of Worlds (Hulk), Skirn: Breaker of Men (Titania), Nerkkod: Breaker of Oceans (Attuma), Mokk: Breaker of Faith (Grey Gargoyle), Angrir: Breaker of Souls (the Thing), and Greithoth: Breaker of Wills (Absorbing Man).

Reader's Guide

The climax erupts in a desperate, fractured alliance between Earth's mightiest defenders and the remnants of Asgardian power. Thor is forced to confront his father, Odin, not with anger, but with a plea for the strength to face his own uncle, the Serpent. In a cataclysmic final battle that tears the sky apart, the enchanted hammers are shattered or reclaimed, severing the Serpent's grip on the Worthy. Yet, victory demands a terrible price: Asgard is once again reduced to rubble, and the event leaves deep, unhealed psychological scars on the heroes and the world, fundamentally reshaping the Marvel Universe for years to come.

Did You Know?

"Fear Itself" was first announced by then-Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, Executive Editor Tom Brevoort and X-Men group editor Axel Alonso at a press conference held at Midtown Comics Times Square on December 21, 2010.
The story's title is a reference to Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
The overall storyline holds an average score of 7.4 out of 10 at the review aggregator website Comic Book Roundup, with the core miniseries holding a 6.5.