The Thing now turned into the hammer-wielding Angrir, Breaker of Souls, rampages through New York City, leaving destruction is his wake. The roots that are attached to his body speak to him and manipulate him into destroying a nearby building.

Reed and Sue identify Ben as the attacker and follow after him. Ben notices the force field blocking him from continuing on his path and is told by the roots on his body that the Future Foundation is coming to kill him. Above him he sees the FF in the Fantasticar and destroys it by throwing his hammer at them. Reed and Sue leap to safety and try to block the hammer from returning to him with a force field, realizing that it is the source of his power.

Their plan fails so Reed tries to bring Ben to his senses, but his mind is so twisted that he believes Reed has been secretly been building weapons to kill him and that Sue blames him for Johnny's death. Sue, determined to save Ben, slips her force field down his throat and threatens to kill him if he doesn't stop. He calls her bluff and hits them with a flash of energy, knocking Reed unconscious before leaving. Meanwhile, Alicia Masters is listening to the news reports and goes after Ben.

In the streets, the roots continue to speak lies to him, further angering him into causing more destruction. Suddenly, Dragon Man arrives to stop him but fails. Before Ben can kill him, Alicia intervenes. But the roots on his body turn him against her and almost strikes her with his hammer but is stopped by Sue's force field. Ben allows her to help Alicia and leaves. Sue is able to resuscitate Alicia, who tells her that she could hear the fear in his voice when she was talking to him.

Recurring Characters

Future Foundation (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Dragon Man), Alicia Masters, Angir the Breaker of Souls

Continuity Notes

Takes place after Ben Grimm picks up the Hammer of Angrir in Fear Itself #3.