What do you think?
Rate this book
Fear Agent
Fear Agent, Volume 6: Out of Step
The final tale of the last Fear Agent! Heath Huston is the only remaining human in a universe that has been totally amalgamated by Tetaldian robotic conquerors. As the Tetaldians continue to hunt him, Heath uncovers the history of the robot hordes and their secret co conspirators. The odds stacked higher than ever, his body aged and broken, he''s finally presented with one final opportunity for redemption - can the last Fear Agent move past his role in it all and give the bastards a little back? Sure he can! A drink is poured, a rocketship ignited, and a cigar lit - the last Fear Agent sets off on his closing bid for redemption!
Collecting: Fear Agent 28-32
Collecting: Fear Agent 28-32
136 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2012
121 people want to read
About the author
Rick Remender
1,104 books1,413 followersRick 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 2, 2018
The more Remender ventures into his timey-wimey bullshit, the less the series is what he and Tony Moore originally created, an ode to those great EC Comics like Weird Science or even DC's Mystery in Space. That being said, it's a pretty well crafted ending that had to be. Remender steers into the curve and sends Huston on one last time travel adventure to save the universe, even if Huston really only cares about saving his family.
May 20, 2016
The series picks up a little steam towards the end, but it is still high time it came to an end.
May 16, 2012
In general, I hate time-travel stories. Hate 'em right down to their bones. It's the laziest of science fiction writing, the sappiest, and the most convoluted of all premises. A writer can do whatever they want, paint themselves into a corner and snap their fingers and everything is good as new now and what was the pout of the whole damn story anyhow, then? Just so damn silly.
This sci-fi classic, this masterpiece of speculative literature is one extremely rare exception. Remender said he wrote Fear Agent because science fiction "had lost its stones". Can't say I wouldn't have agreed with him when he wrote it. And he came straight outta the gate to floor us all with the stones he put on this book.
Remender may have been quoting Sam Clemens throughout this entire series, but he was conjuring up Philip K Dick and looking over Tim Powers' shoulder the whole time. It's a damn beautiful piece of extremely modern literature with roots that stretch all the way back to Doc Smith. It deserves all the accolades we can heap on it. It really does.
And Tony Moore- thanks for making it so gorgeous. The artwork is perfect. It's just a perfect book.
Grade: A++++++++
This sci-fi classic, this masterpiece of speculative literature is one extremely rare exception. Remender said he wrote Fear Agent because science fiction "had lost its stones". Can't say I wouldn't have agreed with him when he wrote it. And he came straight outta the gate to floor us all with the stones he put on this book.
Remender may have been quoting Sam Clemens throughout this entire series, but he was conjuring up Philip K Dick and looking over Tim Powers' shoulder the whole time. It's a damn beautiful piece of extremely modern literature with roots that stretch all the way back to Doc Smith. It deserves all the accolades we can heap on it. It really does.
And Tony Moore- thanks for making it so gorgeous. The artwork is perfect. It's just a perfect book.
Grade: A++++++++
January 20, 2015
This book ends like a grim, 1980s comic- deconstructing a pulp hero and showing how the horrors they face have worn them down. Unlike those 80s comics, we have been watching the antagonists torture since day one. Through five trades, we have watched all of the suffering and insanity that Heath Huston has gone through. If the story didn't end by this volume, it would start bordering on the comical.
The ending is pretty much what you expected to happen, but that doesn't take away from how great it is. Overall Verdict- Great Series, but had to be kept short, otherwise it would be overwhelming.
The ending is pretty much what you expected to happen, but that doesn't take away from how great it is. Overall Verdict- Great Series, but had to be kept short, otherwise it would be overwhelming.
October 17, 2015
It makes worth it reading the whole series.
We seldom get such a good finale.
10/10
We seldom get such a good finale.
10/10
August 5, 2021
Remender sí que sabe despedirse por todo lo alto.
Alguna de las historias cortas de extras me dejaron completamente indiferente, pero más me molestaría no tener la colección completa, jajaja.
Alguna de las historias cortas de extras me dejaron completamente indiferente, pero más me molestaría no tener la colección completa, jajaja.
December 16, 2020
3.5 stars
Wile I maybe didn't always enjoy this series, the ending was pretty sweet. Also Tony Moore's art is fucking fantastic as always
Wile I maybe didn't always enjoy this series, the ending was pretty sweet. Also Tony Moore's art is fucking fantastic as always
May 9, 2020
I'm not crying, you're crying! I just got some whiskey in my eye.. took me awhile to finally get this series done, and while I can understand the complaints of other reviewers on here, I feel fully content, and happy, and maybe crying a little.
January 25, 2015
Good ending to a great series. You actually feel really bad for Houston through it all, and yet, somehow...kind of hate him. I got a bit confused with the 'we were in control of all events' revision there, but I suppose it worked. All in all, a satisfying ending. I wish I had read it issue by issue as it came out, but reading each collected volume was still very much worth it.
September 3, 2012
Some elements of the finale are a bit rocky, such as a confusing what-really-happened reveal and a deus-ex-machina toad. However, it’s generally an enjoyable ending to the series.
May 18, 2025
So many emotions crisscrossing me with this one. I don't know where to start.
All that tragedy concurrent with the moments of catharsis - Heath sharing his pain with those who gave it to him, the frankly almost saccharine dinner scene towards the end that winds up working just because we see our Heath sobbing tears of joy and relief. "They're counting on me to fix it." This madness mantra that Heath unspokenly follows the whole book and mindlessly repeats in his mind for this final volume. And then he does, and he lets himself go in that very last issue.
There's a moment where the spaceship is and we get this multi-panel panorama of lovingly drawn absurd sci-fi nonsense, all the while Heath muses on his own failings and insecurities and traumas. And if that doesn't sum up this whole damn book, I don't know what does.
"Jd'cuf couldn't be here on account o' we tortured him somethin' awful till he sold you old birds down the river. Wanted me to pass along his apologies. Least that's what I think he was sayin'. Tortured him somethin' awful." 🔥 🔥 🔥
One of the classic indie comics of all time. You gotta read it.
All that tragedy concurrent with the moments of catharsis - Heath sharing his pain with those who gave it to him, the frankly almost saccharine dinner scene towards the end that winds up working just because we see our Heath sobbing tears of joy and relief. "They're counting on me to fix it." This madness mantra that Heath unspokenly follows the whole book and mindlessly repeats in his mind for this final volume. And then he does, and he lets himself go in that very last issue.
There's a moment where the spaceship is and we get this multi-panel panorama of lovingly drawn absurd sci-fi nonsense, all the while Heath muses on his own failings and insecurities and traumas. And if that doesn't sum up this whole damn book, I don't know what does.
"Jd'cuf couldn't be here on account o' we tortured him somethin' awful till he sold you old birds down the river. Wanted me to pass along his apologies. Least that's what I think he was sayin'. Tortured him somethin' awful." 🔥 🔥 🔥
One of the classic indie comics of all time. You gotta read it.
February 8, 2020
I liked the ending a lot. Simple yet satisfying, Huston gets a chance to redeem himself and put everything back in order. Will he succeed and what is his tragic life story's conclusion? A strong end to a good story by Rick Remender.
June 9, 2022
The last two volumes have too many twists and turns but that is the point of the wacky Sci fi it was always taking reference from. And at the end, it all plays out as Remender wanted: lots of crazy Sci fi, and lots character complexities that make you cry no matter what
August 24, 2017
Good solid ending to the series. Not as rip-roaring as past trades but still very good. I am only sad to see this series go. Too bad there are no more to read but this was a fitting end.
November 28, 2018
A completely satisfying ending with some surprisingly emotional moments built in. This series stands with some of the best i've read!
December 19, 2020
Tomo final con la última saga y absolutamente todos los Tales faltantes.
May 24, 2021
Best one, such a great end to a great series.
July 2, 2021
Qué animalada de tomo con la saga final, una cantidad enormes de Tales que casi iguala a la saga central y hasta una supergalería de pin-ups.
July 17, 2021
The harder this story tries to be deep and meaningful, the more hollow it becomes. It's like watching Archie Bunker quote Plato.
April 25, 2022
4 stars
Some of the twists were a bit confusing but it was an emotional and beautiful ending
Some of the twists were a bit confusing but it was an emotional and beautiful ending
August 16, 2013
What I didn't like about the whole series is that it promised (or I assumed it promised) to be an all-action old-school science-fiction story but instead it turned out to be a something different. I almost considered dropping it but decided to stick it out to the end to see how Remender et al wrap up the whole story.
Anyway. That was a nice ending; a bit on the dramatic side but I guess that's to be expected with this series. Quite a satisfying way to conclude the whole series. I could nitpick about some characters conveniently appearing out of nowhere (lizard men, a jellybrain hostage) and some previously unheard of tech which was just what the hero needed (a tachyon toad?) but at that point, I didn't care anymore and just wanted to see if we were in for a happy ending or if the writer wanted to pile on more misfortune for Heath Huston. Those last few pages, while not exactly the tearjerker that Remender seemed to be trying for, were a nice way to wrap up the series.
The art was the best part of the series for me, but if you like science-fiction with a lot of melodrama and angst I think you'll like Fear Agent.
Anyway. That was a nice ending; a bit on the dramatic side but I guess that's to be expected with this series. Quite a satisfying way to conclude the whole series. I could nitpick about some characters conveniently appearing out of nowhere (lizard men, a jellybrain hostage) and some previously unheard of tech which was just what the hero needed (a tachyon toad?) but at that point, I didn't care anymore and just wanted to see if we were in for a happy ending or if the writer wanted to pile on more misfortune for Heath Huston. Those last few pages, while not exactly the tearjerker that Remender seemed to be trying for, were a nice way to wrap up the series.
The art was the best part of the series for me, but if you like science-fiction with a lot of melodrama and angst I think you'll like Fear Agent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2014
Pretty sure it's been too long between me reading this volume and the ones that preceded it, as I found the sci-fi confusing, though compelling. The only really false note for me was the internal personality struggle between Heath and his evil clone, but that was likely more an issue of pacing than plot. Otherwise a worthy end to the Fear Agent saga. I do feel that it went a little too timey-wimey for me by the end, but given that the first volume was my favorite for its straightforward cinematic space-adventure style, this should be unsurprising.
March 18, 2013
Os dois primeiros issues chegam a justificar que se amaldiçoe o tempo perdido.
Mas o segundo termina muito bem e daí em diante é sempre a subir.
Acima de tudo, este volume 6 cumpre muito bem a tarefa de terminar. (Por estes dias, é qualidade que valorizo muito.)
Bem... e piadolas parvas, viagens no tempo, naves e batalhas espaciais, malta de outras galáxias, etc, têm sumo q.b. para que eu queira ir beber a esta fonte.
Mas o segundo termina muito bem e daí em diante é sempre a subir.
Acima de tudo, este volume 6 cumpre muito bem a tarefa de terminar. (Por estes dias, é qualidade que valorizo muito.)
Bem... e piadolas parvas, viagens no tempo, naves e batalhas espaciais, malta de outras galáxias, etc, têm sumo q.b. para que eu queira ir beber a esta fonte.
March 20, 2015
I had begun to hate the one-upping of despair Remender was constantly putting us through, and I wasn't fond of WESTX, but this was a fitting end to the Fear Agent saga. This is the farthest I've ever seen "the fate of everything" challenged in literature, and it's only forgivable to me because it's new to me. I know it sounds cryptic, but I don't want to spoil anything.
April 25, 2012
The Fear Agent series from start to finish is a science fiction landmark. There's nothing else quite like it. It's a gem through and through. One of very best comic book series of the last 10 years.
I'd love to see an Omnibus edition of the whole story.
I'd love to see an Omnibus edition of the whole story.
July 12, 2014
What an excellent finish. I think I went back and read and reread those last 10 or so pages about 5 times before finally putting this down. Just excellent.
May 13, 2012
A damn fine thing, this book. Read this series.
July 6, 2012
The last Fear Agent. It all wraps up here.
October 1, 2012
The best thing I can say about this book/series is I'm really going to miss it.
April 13, 2015
What a conclusion! I had my doubts for a while but I'm glad I stuck it out til this last volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews