Fear Itself: The Deep (2011) #2

This spin-off mini-series brought together yet another version of the Defenders in its first issue, reviewed here.

After New Atlantis was taken over by several of Namor's enemies, led by Attuma, Namor asked for help from Dr. Strange who, in turn, sent out additional calls for assistance. As a result, Loa from the X-Men, Lyra as a Hulk replacement and the Silver Surfer also provided an assist as the seaside meeting point for Namor and Strange was attacked by a number of aquatic creatures.

Issue 2 opens with the gathering of villains watching the battle from afar.

Namor is gripped with fear and therefore largely useless. Dr. Strange eventually casts a spell to be rid of the sea beasts.

The team regroups to exchange notes. The Surfer tells us what he knows...

Strange then explains that these hammers are creating panic across the globe. The emotions are so strong that they've weakened the veil between dimensions (Yeah, that makes sense...).

From all that, he assumes that Atlantis' attackers and the Undying Ones have formed an alliance.

I don't know. There seems to be a lot of guesswork here. But before we can take too long to ponder it all, they are attacked again.

They defeat those creatures as well with Namor again contributing...nothing. It's not so much that he's paralyzed with fear because he does fly around and gets people out of harm's way and such but he is not involved in the fighting.

Then as they discuss taking the battle straight to New Atlantis' invaders, Lyra gets yanked underwater by yet another sea creature. To be continued!

The previous issue, when the basic premise was set and the team was gathered, was a fun read. This one felt like filler which is pretty bad for 4-issue series. And this deal about emotions breaking down the veil between dimensions? What the hell is that?

Namor was useless and hopefully redeems himself in the back half of the series.