Rating:  -
I'm pretty impressed by the core concept of Civil War - it is both ambitious and timely. I also liked the focus on Iron Man and Captain America (especially the latter), although every other character felt a bit hard done by (including Mr. Fantastic, who got just enough page time to look like a total knob).
Unfortunately, as a stand-alone title or a miniseries, Civil War doesn't have much more depth than a What If? Christmas Special. I get the impression that if I dedicated myself to reading the seventeen-thousand other comic books in the continuity, it might be a richer experience, but it'd leave me a lot poorer.
Plus, with Secret Invasion and Secret Crisis on Infinite Ultimatums coming out, why bother? If Marvel really wants to give its megaseries 'events' a shelf life, they'll have to publish better than this.
Rating:  -
Let's get this out of the way: Millar writes some good action scenes. This is what he became known for, with his run on The Authority and Ultimates. That was a strong point for his "widescreen," post-modern superhero stories. One of the many glaring issues with Civil War is that he brings the same sensibilities to the Marvel Universe - and it's awful. The Captain America here is the one he created from the Ultimates, a crazed militant jerk, not the noble hero we read in, say, Brubaker's current run.
And every character is similar. For all the plot's faults (more on that later), it's Millar's awful, awful characterization that really brings the book down. Every character is a complete jerk who only speaks in sarcastic quips, and blindly follows whatever 'side' they've chosen. Iron Man manipulates everyone around him; Peter Parker outs himself (!); Hank Pym is a villain; Sue Storm.... oh man, I don't even want to go there. Characters chose their sides seemingly at random, and blindly duke it out with their best friends. The Punisher especially is laughable. And this of course is on top of Millar's awful dialogue.
And then there's the plot. Like most everything else about this book, it's awful. Besides the fact that it's a ridiculous allegory for modern times, the pacing really throws everything off, with each conflict escalating and escalating until it's just numbing after a while. The final issue, perhaps the worst, throws in random characters from other Civil War stories, be it Namor or Captain Marvel or whomever, without any clear explanation as to what they're doing there and why. Throw in a needless death or two, a CLONE, a couple of deus ex machinas, and perhaps the most unsatisfying, illogical ending I've ever read, and there you have it: Civil War.
The art is perhaps the best thing about this, but it is somewhat overrated. The colors and inks are fantastic, and that's certainly a good thing with so many characters popping in and out at random. The action scenes are nice too. But look closer at the non-action scenes, and you'll find ridiculously hyperbolic expressions that could only match Millar's over-the-top dialogue. Cover up the word balloons for a minute, and just look at it; some of it is seriously ridiculous, especially for a comic that claims to be so grounded in the 'real world.'
It's hard to be objective in reviewing Civil War, because my memory of it is also laced with the crippling delays, and the other trash that writers like JMS and Bendis were putting out at the time. But make no mistake; the dialogue is awful, the characterizations are completely off, the plot is full of laughably lame devices, and the art... well, ok, the art is nice in some parts, but not nearly enough to make up for it.
Highly recommended for you to avoid.
Rating:  -
Before i read Civil war, i followed some marvel titles like Daredevil, Astonishing X-men and New Avengers, but was mostly interested in DC titles. Once i read Civil War, i havent lost interest in the whole landscape of the Marvel Universe, its just so exciting and the whole "anything can happen" feel through it is the reason i read comics. Civil War is not only an outstanding story by itself, but it makes it next to impossible to not be interested what happens next in the Marvel Universe . The plot is exciting, the art breathtaking, and the characters compelling. Seriously, this series is not to be missed by anyone even remotely interested in comics (and not to mention , the current Secret Invasion Series that is the direct fallout to Civil War) Highest recommendation possible!
Rating: -
This is one of the greatest marvel series ever created. Shame on all of you who say otherwise.
Rating: -
I have always been a fan of comic book heroes while having not been a frequent reader of comic books. I never had a group of friends nor the extra money to spend on comics.
This series might change the latter part of that statement. I am now going to start setting aside some money to become a more frequent reader. And some of my friends are dong the same because of this book.
If you are a casual comic reader I would highly reccomend this series.
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