Off My Mind: The Red Skull Tears the Marvel Universe Apart

The Red Skull is one of the most evil villains in comics. Coming in April, a new comic book event, Fear Itself, hits the Marvel Universe. Before this event begins, we will see a prologue dealing with the Red Skull in his World War II days.  
 
After the Red Skull orchestrated his plan where it appeared Captain America was killed, Cap's body was actually traveling though time and space. He would then recall Captain America's body and take over his body. In the end, it looked as if the Red Skull was dead. 
 
The Red Skull's daughter, Sin, is now determined to avenge her father and also plans on outdoing him in an effort to prove that she wasn't an inferior offspring simply because she was female. Being in possession of all the Red Skull's secrets and plans, she will discover his most dangerous World War II mission that he risked everything for. This past mission will be the key in tearing the Marvel Universe apart in Fear Itself. 
 
What could have the Red Skull been involved in that could have such a huge effect on everything today? 
 == TEASER == 

The first thing that comes to mind is the Cosmic Cube (you can read our Beginner's Guide to the Cosmic Cube for more information). The Red Skull's frequently had his sights set on this incredibly powerful, reality altering weapon. The idea that the Red Skull could have planted the seeds of having yet another cube stashed away decades ago and his crazy daughter getting her hands on it is a scary thought. Is this scary enough to launch the massive Fear Itself event?  
 
The Red Skull's history with the Cube and the recent image of the Cube from the upcoming Captain America movie makes it seem as if this could be more than just a mere coincidence. But I don't think this big dangerous mission he went on back during WWII involves a Cosmic Cube. The Red Skull's used the Cube too many times with often minimal repercussions that I can't see this as being the starter to Marvel's game-changing event.
  
It has to be something else. The Red Skull is involved as is Captain America, Namor and the Invaders. It has to be something that will change everything, an expression we've heard many times recently. Could it have something to do with the creation of Captain America and Project: Rebirth? Probably not, that wouldn't affect the entire Marvel Universe. What about the creation of the Avengers? I feel like this will somehow be politically motivated. Maybe it's the reference to FDR's speech about there not being anything to fear but fear itself but my gut tells me it there's a connection. What could be more fearful to Marvel heroes than seeing the government and democracy become shattered. If the American people lose their faith in everything, our way of life gets thrown out the window. 
 

If the Red Skull went on a mission back during WWII, I see it as somehow infiltrating the government and planting a final contingency plan that could destroy everything about the United States. How come he hasn't used it before? Pride. If this were a final plan, the Red Skull would never think he'd have to use it, no matter how many times he's been defeated by Captain America and others. He would think that he'll always bounce back and will someday succeed in destroying everything he despises. This plan of his could be an extreme one that wouldn't give him the satisfaction of physically having a hand in the destruction. During the Fear Itself press conference, Tom Brevoort said, " There is a concealed act at the heart of the Marvel Universe that once revealed will change everything." 
 
There's also the fact that the "God of Fear" is involved. It's been mentioned that this will be a different God of Fear from Phobos, who will also be in the event. If we're looking at a different God of Fear and it's not the Olympian version, perhaps it will be an Asgardian version. In the Captain America clip seen at last year's San Diego Comic Con, there was mention of Odin's weapon. Perhaps this dangerous mission Red Skull went on dealt with the Asgardian God of Fear. Maybe he managed to lock it away somewhere for his final contingency plan and this is what Sin will discover. As with the Cosmic Cube, it makes perfect sense that Marvel would try to bring ideas that will pop up in the movies to the forefront of our comics. Now that I think about it, this feels more like what we could expect from this event. 
 

Update 

I started thinking more about the Asgardian angle the likely direction that Marvel would try to make more of a connection between the movies and comics. Who is the God of Fear in Asgard? 
 
I vaguely recalled the character known as Dark Man from a past issue of Thor, issue #323 in fact. This is apparently the God of Fear for Asgard, or at least one of them. He only had one appearance and it was early in Thor's life, right after he obtained Mjolnir. He doesn't look too scary to me but perhaps his lack of appearance over the years could indicate that the Red Skull somehow managed to capture him in order to unleash him upon the world later.