Marvel announces “Fear Itself” event

NEW YORK (AP) — The real world is intruding in a real way for the heroes — and villains — of the Marvel universe.

The publisher — whose characters range from the wall-crawler Spider-Man to mutant outcasts X-Men — said Tuesday that the fear, uncertainty and overarching anxiety that has gripped the modern world will play havoc with its fictional heroes next spring as it embarks on “Fear Itself,” a seven-issue limited series that will reach across numerous titles and leave its characters scarred but smarter.

A prologue issue to the series will be released in March, followed by the first of the seven issues in April.