Fear Agent: Library Edition, Vol. 2

Fear Agent #4-6

by Rick Remender (Writer), Kieron Dwyer (Illustrator), Tony Moore (Illustrator)

Lost, beaten, and trapped in the past, Heath Huston must face the demons of his inevitable future when he finds himself face to face with the automaton regime responsible for robbing him of all he loves. With the knowledge that the Feeders are progressing ever closer to Earth, will Heath be able to get payback from the automaton empire in time to save his home planet from the scourge of an alien infestation? Fan favorite and Russ Manning Award-winner Jerome Opeña joins critically acclaimed scribe Rick Remender for this exciting chapter in the life of Heath Huston, Alien Exterminator.Collecting: Fear Agent 5-10

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Comic Book, Comix, Fiction

520 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2014

About the author

Rick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's about a wonderfully manic retro-sci-fi space opera that follows the adventures of perpetual drunk and revenge mass murderer(!), Heath Hutson, as he tries to make amends for his retaliatory genocide! Sit back and enjoy, this is not just great adventure storytelling, it is storytelling with great heart. 8 out of 12, fab Four Star read.

2017 read

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as I FEARed.
See what I did there? Eh?Eh?Eh?



Time travel is so tricky, and I didn't have a lot of faith in Remender to start with if I'm being honest, so the fact that this ended in a way that didn't piss me off took me by complete surprise.
Remender will probably never be my jam, as I find his stuff mostly a maudlin look at life, but he pulled it off this time for me.
I didn't hate it.



This was a story of that guy. He's tough and he never gives up, no matter what life throws at him. He doesn't like people and people don't like him. But he does the right thing anyway. Mostly.
And he's got an alcohol addiction, but he pushes through. Because you can't stop him.
He's a cowboy.
IN SPACE!
And let's face it, who doesn't want to read a story about that guy?



There's actually quite a bit of depth here, as Remender uses every trick in the book to show how Heath is a product not just of nature, but of nurture. With the use of time travel, cloning, & mind swaps, you can see how life experiences made him into, well...different people who might lead vastly different lives. Where's our personal line in the sand? That path we take, or maybe the one that takes us, that branches off to a place where we would become unrecognizable to ourselves? A cruel person? A crazy person? An evil person?
We all like to think it couldn't happen to us, but that's probably because that last button we have hasn't been pushed. Yet.
So, kudos to the subtle and not-so-subtle plot threads running through this thing.



And yet. I have to say that I was pretty happy to be done with this story by the time I got to the end. Like in the First Volume's Deluxe Editon, I found all of the added issues of Heath's prior adventures boring. But I will freely admit that it was probably just because I wanted to move on and tick this damn thing off of my list.
Fans will no doubt appreciate all the extras.
Recommended for Space Cowboys.

[Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever get the feeling the entire universe is out to get you? Well that's actually true for Heath Huston, and he loses everything and everyone he cares about, sometimes by his own hand.

The story is crazy, jumping around time, dimensions, and the entire universe. It's a complex layer of pulp science-fiction, action/adventure, and dark humor. Remender gets very personal with his cowboy hero, who's as down and out yet sympathetic as they come. The first book was fun and somewhat self-reflective, but the second really goes all the way and pulls the crazy twists and heart strings. I fucking loved this series. This might even be Remender's best work yet (that I've read).

The artwork is the best I've ever seen in comics. Tony Moore and Jerome Opeña are mind blowing. I drooled all over these pages. Kieron Dwyer, who steps in to sometimes pencil for Moore, can fucking hold his own. And the perfect colors (sorry colorist, I can't remember your name) seal the deal...rich and otherworldly, leaping from the page.

So damn. It's over. Like 900 pages of pulp science-fiction perfection. This is Remender at his best, funniest, most restrained, and most honest. Check it out.

[The Lion's Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to a very off the wall sci fi story.

I must admit I really didn't enjoy volume one but this volume put all the pieces together and made worth the effort.

The most tenacious character in the universe.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for some heavy science fiction fun, I highly recommend this to you. There's time travelling, laser blasting, alien invasion madness with a good story at the heart of it. Jermone Openas art isn't quite there yet, it's not as good as his Marvel stuff, but Tony Moores work here is fantastic. This is a must for sci-fi fans!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic series based on Rick Remender and Tony Moore's love of old EC comics like Weird Science and the great Wally Wood. The oversized art in this library edition looks outstanding. the story sometimes gets bogged down in the timey-wimey stuff, but overall a great if somber finish to an inventive series.

My reviews for the individual volumes:
Fear Agent, Volume 4: Hatchet Job
Fear Agent, Volume 5: I Against I
Fear Agent, Volume 6: Out of Step
Tales of the Fear Agent

[Blindzider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume continues the adventures of the Fear Agent, but this one ups the ante when it comes to delivering the emotional content at the core of what drives Heath Huston. I suspect the second book in this volume "I against I" parallels a journey that Remender made in which a newer, happier version of himself battles for dominance against the ingrained, depressed version.

Not only do we get closure on this emotional character arc for Huston, but we get an explanation for everything the came before. I don't want to give anything away but for me, this will most certainly cause a second reading with a different perspective.

The art by Moore and Opena (and others) continues to be outstanding and the overall look is maintained throughout the series. I prefer Opena's current style and you can actually see some of that start to emerge.

This entire series has so much going for it and contains multiple genres that I'm not sure how anyone can't find something to like about it. Realizing that this was early on in Remender's career, makes me all the more excited to see what he comes up with next in his new venture creating independent comics.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel is tricky. More so in comics where timelines become convoluted, paradoxes commonplace and deus ex machina abound. Assuming you’ve read Volume One, you’ll know that time travel plays an important role within the Fear Agent Universe. I wish I could say that the time travel element is sound with little confusion and great entertainment but I’d be lying. It’s muddled with strange plot twists and surprises galore. In the end it works out and things ‘make sense’ but the path to conclusion is not sound.

However, I still quite enjoyed the ride… Heath is a horrible bastard and goes through great lengths to get himself into many a frying pan. Annie as usual is fantastic and Heath’s comrades are fun. If you enjoyed the first Volume, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. I certainly did (despite my time travel complaints).

As extras go, expect something similar to Volume One (Tales, Sketches). Nice touch to include.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...damn library waiting list.

The end of the line for Heath Huston, Fear Agent.

Our favourite redneck Samuel Clemons quoting, whisky drinkin', Cigar chompin', alien killin' sumbitch has found himself in the shit once again.

Over and over he keeps gettin by because he's just a tough SOB, more stubborn than 100 mules with ornery attitude.

This would be a lame character if he wasn't so filled with suffering, anguish, guilt, and, surprisingly, hope. He would never say he had that hope, but no way he holds on without it.

Suffice it to say, things get even worse for him, but the ending is perfect in so many ways. We even get a taste of his past with Char and his parents.

I forgot how in love with this series I was. This NEEDS to be a TV show.

[Lono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picks up with more of the insanely violent sci-fi spectacle that made Volume 1 so much fun. Great story that follows Heath through more time traveling twists and WTF moments than anybody could've predicted. Huston is my favorite kind of tragic hero and Rick really puts him through the wringer in this one. A bit more of a somber tone to the tale in this volume, but still squeezes in plenty of head blastin, whisky guzzlin, Clemens quotin goodness. Moore and Opena didn't miss a beat and continue to provide the gorgeous art that fills almost every immense page in this substantial tome. Great finish to a hell of a trip. Well done Mr.Remender.

[Aildiin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and amazing art.
The extra Tales of the Fear Agent is however really average, but it's bonus material so it's not affecting my overall rating.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s not much more to say than what I already said with volume one except for wow. This series continues to propel me through some of the funnest, most imaginative and all round weirdest sci-fi stories I had the pleasure of reading.

This series initially is a pure love letter to pulp science fiction with each story starring Heath Huston being a seeming fun or tragic stand alone adventure. Yet with the closing two arcs of this series we get a revelation that these pulp stories are more in the vein of Robert E Howard’s pulp fantasy, seperate stories with strong links and a clear continuity that form an epic narrative. Even though this series plays with its canon pretty fast and loose. Which works in this story’s favour absolutely.

Something that I didn’t mention fully in the volume one review is he outstanding art from both Tony Moore and Jerome Opena. Two distinct artists that are in direct conversation, never betraying the other and the overall vision but staying true to their unique artistic tendencies. A truely great collaboration.

What surprised me the most was the ending. Filled with pathos and rewarding character moments.

Fear Agent wasn’t at all what I was expecting and won’t soon be something I forget.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo secondo volume esplode letteralmente in mano, il primo eccelleva bel lato action, disegni top, character design degli alieni stupende, davvero tutto ottimo intratteneva come un film action e caciarone degli anni 80, ma scalfiva appena la superfice, mancava la profondità .

Ecco in questo secondo volume viene aggiunto tutto quello che mancava, colpi di scena come se piovesse un trama che si articola stupendamente e si intreccia con sottotrame individuali .
Finalmente iniziano ad esserci parecchi scale di grigio, non per forza la cosa che sembra giusta per uno lo sarà per tutti e così via.

Bomba!

[Joakim Ax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously I don't see what other people see in these stories. All I see is a very broken person, much like many stories by Rickard Remender circles around.

[Dustin Boggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story carries at the same pace as the first in continual action jumping around in time and dimension. This abruptly changes at the start of the third chapter when the chronology and events are placed as well as backstory motivating hustons actions. The end was exciting quick but not rushed. I am sad to see it end but it was well timed. A reread will definitely be enjoyed.

[Scott Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work. Remender piles on the weight until even this seemingly completely frivolous B-movie style Sci-fi comic earns an ending that would be maudlin in lesser hands and delivers a subtle but powerful commentary on life and suffering.

[James De León · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear Agent by Rick Remender (and art by Tony Moore, Jerome Opeña, Francesco Francavilla, and Kieron Dwyer)

This is a fun, sci-fi book with a LOT of action. In the story, we learn about Heath Huston’s (and humanity’s) fight against a LOT of aliens. Heath is the last of the Fear Agents, a peacekeeping force trying to prevent aliens from committing genocide against the human species. I have to say, Heath seems like a mix of Han Solo, Star-Lord, and Hal Jordan to me - possessing their worst and best traits, but none of the in-between ones. I read the story in the Library Editions - you get a LOT of bang for your money with these. In fact, I think DC could learn a few things and use it to improve their absolutes. The build quality is excellent and there are a lot of extras. And better yet, the price is incredibly accessible (or at least it was when the book was in print).

- Volume Two (17-32) picks up the story in the present (after some early shenanigans in the past and in the faaar past via time travel) and things get really trippy. There’s a lot more time travel, new dimensions, and alternate versions of main characters. This is where Remender also gets really personal with Heath and we get a resolution to the story. One last chance to save the universe and one more shot at redemption.

My main criticism of the story is that it can get confusing at times. There are a lot of different aliens and plot twists, so it can be hard to keep track of things. I also didn’t care much for the side stories in the extras - don’t get me wrong, extras are always great (and Dark Horse did a great job here). I just didn’t get as invested in them as I was in the main story.

Overall, it was a pretty good read. The story is captivating and the art is consistently good.

Overall, 7/10 for the story and 9/10 for the art.

[Sebastian Lauterbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is slightly better than Vol. 1, but is still has some problems (and 100 pages of awful short stories!).

There's a lot of callbacks to plot points from early issues and a lot of those are really clever. In addition the book looks gorgeous and I love the design of the alien characters. The dynamic of Heath and Annie are great and definitely the strong points of this book.

So, what are my issues here? First of all, time traveling stories are always messy and this one is no exception. The time travel aspect was handled really well in Vol. 1 only to blow out of proportions in this volume. At the end of one story arc there's a celebration and suddenly everyone turns out evil because of time travel. Yikes.
Secondly some of the events unfolding here are very confusing. For example this one: Black hole -> warp -> Western -> Evil clone (???).
Thirdly there's 10 short stories in here, which are absolutely not worth reading.

The ending is kind of satisfying, but some of the characters were never properly addressed, e.g. Mara or Keith.

I'm not going to claim that this is a bad book by any means and I did have a lot of fun on my read through, but maybe try before you buy?

[Aaron Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

-A fun ride in a beautiful hard bound package

This book was a pleasure to read with an exquisite build. The story wasn't as 'good' as the first volume of the series, it doesn't do anything out of the ordinary, it's just a bit more of what you got in the first volume and that's great! All in all, it's a book that I highly recommend if you are interested in sci-fi pulp action or a fan of Marvel/DC comics.

4/5

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like when I read Black Science, I came away from this feeling like I needed at least one other re-read to truly understand everything that has happened. It moves like a bullet train and never spoon feeds you (except with the narration). The story touches on alien war games, time travel, intergalactic religion, alcoholism, cloning, and the Big Bang, but also ends in a very satisfying way, even if the whole thing does seem quite similar to Black Science.

[Wouter Dhondt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear Agent Volume 4: Hatchet Job - 5 out of 5 Stars
Fear Agent Volume 5: I Against I - 4 out of 5 Stars
Fear Agent Volume 6: Out of Step - 5 out of 5 Stars
Tales of the Fear Agent - 2 out of 5 Stars

In the end, I have to give the overall 5 stars. The complete story was amazing. Just skip the tales of the fear agent bits at the end. Non-canonical extras that are mostly only ok.

[Foxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably Remender’s greatest work although for me it’s a tie with Black Science. Starts out like a pulpy episodic adventure but over the course of the run, Remender turns it into an epic story while never losing sight of the personal stakes. The art is also fantastic throughout.

[Berardo Ioannoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

just Fantastic - the story, the artwork. the whole package is beautiful. A must read pulp sci fi comic.

[Jasmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! A must read for any sci-fi lover

[David James · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as Volume 1. What space opera and comic books should be. I’ll be reading both volumes again.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

More crazy fun. Pulp goodness that actually ties everything together in a reasonable (for pulp sci-fi) fashion. Recommended with a whiskey neat.

[Adam Spanos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not my cup of tea! I read many good things about this series, I had fun while reading it but didn't feel the hype. It has cool art style tho.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[T. Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is beautiful but the story can be hard to follow at times. This edition is almost too large to read comfortably.

[Patrick Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time re-reading the series since I first read it probably near 10 years ago.Now that I have a family of my own I think this story hit me even harder then the first time I read it.It has always been one of my favorite comics of all time and re reading it this time sure as hell confirmed it being one of my favorite comics of all time…made me cry a few times,5 stars loved it !