Rating:  -
I didn't feel this book was all that great. The Illuminati one-shot was the highpoint, setting up events that lead to Marvels upcoming World War Hulk event. If you want to find out who was responsible for banishing the Hulk from Earth I recommend it. However, the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man stories collected here weren't all that great. Marvels Annihilation and Planet Hulk were much better stories than Civil War, but in all the Civil War hype Annihilation and Hulk seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Too bad.
Rating:  -
The Road to Civil War is a must buy. It gives the warm-up to an exciting and chaotic future of the Marvel universe. Be sure to pick up the rest of the Civil War series when they come in.
Rating:  -
With DC pumping out a universe shattering, cataclysmic event (Infinite Crisis), Marvel answers them with Civil War. The Road to Civil War features various issues from various series' collected together that lead up to the Civil War series; and in turn feature many pivotal events. The Illuminati disbands, as Tony "Iron Man" Stark makes a decision that will alter the course of events to come regarding super hero registration. Not to mention that Spider-Man receives a new suit (designed by Stark) and forges a new direction for himself that many did not see coming. Dr. Doom is back as well, and there a hint of things to come regarding the return of the mighty Thor, as well as Stark's brewing war with Captain America. Despite containing different issues by different creative teams, Road to Civil War never feels uneven like many TPB's with varying writers and artists usually do. Featuring talent like Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski, Brian Michael Bendis, and Alex Maleev; Road to Civil War's biggest con is that it leaves you wanting more, but in that respect, if this doesn't get you excited for Civil War, nothing will. Worth picking up if you missed these issues before Civil War, or are anxiously awaiting the TPB version.
Rating: -
"Walk away now" - Black Panther. Words that should have been heeded.
WARNING SPOILERS: The plot: Way back in the 70s after the first Kree-Skrull War on Earth; Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X, Namor, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, and Black Panther met in secret to create an Illuminati to discuss emergencies. No families, no teammates, no one was to know. Black Panther refused, but the remaining kept going through the years (carrying out such things as marooning the Hulk to space, seeing him as out of control). With Professor X gone (see: House of M) and the recent anti-superpower fear gripping the nation, Iron Man learns of a bill to pass in congress requiring superheroes to register with the government and become S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. For which, Iron Man, Black Bolt and Mr. Fantastic agree with, and Dr. Strange and Namor find appalling and leave the group. Leading to the current Civil War of the Superheroes.
Because this is new, I won't spoil too much. The book is a collection of some key lead ups to Civil War (New Avengers Illuminati, Fantastic Four #536 & 537, and Amazing Spider-Man #529 - 531).
New Avengers Illuminati: The lead in story explains why the group met and introduces the "Registration Act"
Fantastic Four #536 & 537: The return of Thor's Hammer and Dr. Doom.
Amazing Spider-Man #529 - 531: Peter gets his super-powered Spider-suit, and travels with Tony Stark to Washington D.C. to speak before congress.
The story is very intriguing. Tony Stark (Iron Man) has never been one of my favorite characters. After reading this, my opinion has changed. Tony Stark as a character outside of Iron Man is awesome. Think Bruce Wayne with a sense of humor. Not only is he a calculating genius, manipulating Peter Parker, but also is truly willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing. Reading and rereading the pages of dialogue concerning the arguments for and against the registration act are both compelling and thought provoking. I was even torn on it for a bit as reader, how would I deal with something of that magnitude if I were a superhero and, well, fictional? I can see why this is selling so well.
I will certainly be picking these trades up when they release the rest of the storyline
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