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For me it was ironic that "Civil War" came out as the publicity machine was reving up for the release of "Spider-Man 3," because for this outing Spider-Man is "back in black," which of course was the result of "The Secret Wars," the first big Marvel event. That costume change did not really go over well and eventually the black costume became Venom, which was probably the biggest legacy for that 1984-85 limited series, since most of the effects were short term (e.g., the Thing staying on Battleworld and being replaced in the Fantastic Four by the She-Hulk). But then the series was really created to promote a new series of toys, so it is easy to dismiss. The same cannot be said for "Civil War," whatever you think about it. So you may not like it, but you fans of Marvel Comics are going to have to deal with it.
At the heart of the "Civil War" storyline is the Superhuman Registration Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in the wake of what happened at Stamford, Connecticut. While filming a reality television show, Nitro of the New Warriors exploded, killing hundreds of people and most of his teammates. Public opinion turned against superheroes and with the vocal support of Iron Man, the SRA was passed. Specifically it required all persons with superhuman abilities to register with the U.S. government, reveal their secret identities, and receive proper training in law enforcement if they want to keep on being superheroes. The law applies to all superheroes, whether they have natural abilities, acquired their powers through science or magic, or even if they just such technology. Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Hank Pym, and She-Hulk become the key supporters of the act, and Tony Stark persuades Spider-Man to reveal he is really Peter Parker on television. However, Captain America refuses to join the S.H.I.E.L.D. strikeforce to bring in the superheroes who resist registration, instead becoming the leader of the opposition.
Basically "Civil War" forces most of the characters in the Marvel Universe to choose sides and then live with the consequences of their decision (not all are able to do that, either because they die or because they change their mind). Written by Mark Millar, pencilled by Stev McNiven, and inked by Dexter Vines, the seven issues of the "Civil War" series are collected in this trade paperback edition. I did not read most of the "Civil War" tie-ins. Beyond the Spider-Man titles I did read "Civil War: Front Line" and various one-shots and other comic books focusing on the conflict between Iron Man and Captain America (and the "epilogue" off of that). I understood the position that Tony Stark was articulating and could respect the need to curtail, but my sentiments conformed to those of Captain America, especially once Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. started sending prisoners to the Negative Zone and hired supervillains to bring in the renegades. The way the situation escalated at a geometric pace from civil debate to warfare in the streets also hit me as the cure being worse than the disease, but for me the major deduction here ended up being the way this big issue was resolved, which I found to be quite unfulfilling.
In an interview after the series was completed Millar described the "Civil War" event as being about what happens when "the people swamp freedom for security," and I have to say that my gut reaction is that security without freedom is not appealing to me and I have an inherent animosity towards anybody who wants to force me to choose between the two (plus I think of government as being inherently inept rather than inherently corrupt). It is easy to see the allegorical nature of the story, but I think what Millar is doing is grounded more in the attempt to come up with a more realistic response to the idea of superheroes, who by definition would be vigilantes even if they are fighting for truth, justice, and a recognizable ideological system of beliefs. The idea of superhero registration has been a part of stories regarding comic book superheroes from "Watchmen" to "The Incredibles," so this is not a new idea. But Millar et al. have made it an irrevocable and unavoidable part of life in the Marvel Universe. Superheroes can become part of the new initiative that puts a team of superheroes in every state, they can go underground like the New Avengers, they can head for Canada like Arachne, or they can retire like Firestar, but they will not be able to avoid it.
Once again I think the biggest consequences are for Spider-Man, now that his identity has been revealed. The students in my Pop Culture class read "Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1" and come up with a model for defining elements in a Spider-Man comic to which they compare a current issue of the comic, and they are having trouble wrapping their minds around the whole idea that J. Jonah Jameson now knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Storm and the Black Panther might have replaced Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman in the Fantastic Four in the short term, but you cannot undo the idea of Spider-Man's identity being revealed as easily as you can change back from a black costume to the familiar red and blue one. I might get used to this new state of affairs, but given my fond memories of those pivotal moments when the Green Goblin and (Volume 2) Aunt May discovered Peter was Spider-Man, along with those when Mary Jane and (Volume 1) Aunt May revealed to Peter they knew his secret, I do not think I will ever approve of it.
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So what does it take to break up two of the greatest superteams of all time, make Iron Man and Captain America mortal enemies, and many other old friends pound each other into the ground in the Marvel Universe? How about reality television? After a young 3rd-tier superteam causes supervillain Nitro to explode (his power) and wipe out a school full of children while filming their "Cops"-style show, public opinion forces the passage of a bill in Congress. The bill is one that would force all superpowered beings to register with and work for the government. Naturally, this is a terribly unconstitutional move that eliminates the most American of all values, freedom, from every superbeings' life. Thus the Marvel Universe is split in two with Captain America siding against his own namesake and forming the Underground Avengers (featuring Dardevil, Luke Cage, and Spiderwoman among others) and Iron Man leading the pro-registration forces along with Mr. Fantastic in rounding up all of the heroes who resist, imprisoning them indefinitely. It's a great concept that brings to light many fascinating debates and ideas on the limitations of government among other things. The problems with the story are in the execution. Many of the great heroes with 40+ years of history and character development behind them do things that are way out of character and others, bizarrely, do nothing at all. As much effort as Marvel has expended in various side-issues trying to justify the actions of Tony Stark and Reed Richards, the fact remains that they behave more like megalomaniacal supervillains than the epitome of heroism that they've embodied for so long. That's not to say that there aren't consequences for both, what with the FF and Avengers essentially dissolved because of feuding members. The ever-sensible Ben Grimm even leaves the country. While Wolverine acts perfectly rationally (for him) in going after the real villain, Nitro, in his side-story (available in another TPB), the rest of the X-Men decide to remain neutral. This is particularly disturbing considering they have fought so vigorouisly against the Mutant Registration Act, which was essentially the same bill but much smaller in scope and with less teeth. I guess the writers knew that with so many heavy-hitters, a united mutant front would have tipped the scales too far in the favor of the rebels. Another big shocker involves a revamped version of the Thunderbolts, featuring many familiar but not-so-friendly faces, and let's just say that along the way sides are changed, long-standing relationships strained to the breaking point, and in the end, not everything will be as it was before. This is a cataclysmic comic event that certainly makes you want to tune back into the Marvel Universe if you've been tuned out for awhile like I have. This particular Trade Paper Back collects the essential events of the Civil War, but not necessarily the best. I'd highly recommend picking up the Civil War TPB's for Spiderman and the Fantastic Four because: a) they're highly entertaining and b) they offer a lot more perspectives on the events depicted in the main story. Also highly recommended are the Captain America and Iron Man TPB's since they are the two figureheads of their respective points of view. The ending, I think, is one that is unsatisfying in every possible way and really brings the story down. I know life ain't fair, but it just seemed like BS to me. Still, it's a journey worth taking if you're a comic fan who wants to see some of Marvel's finest go at it or if you're just intensely curious about how this huge event unfolds. There are plenty of great moments, it's just too bad that the story seems to dictate the characters' actions at times instead of the other way around.
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Civil War is Marvel's big new offering to the world of comics, an "Event Comic" which took over shelves for a good long time during 2006 and the beginning months of 2007. Now we finally get the trade paper back edition, and I have to say that while Steve McNivens art is fantastic and Morry Hollowell's coloring is just breathtaking, Mark Millar doesn't really deliver all that much in the story department.
Millar creates a servicable story that accoplishes what it has to. It includes the major players, has lots of fights, and will change the Marvel universe, at least for a year or so, but characters and their prior personalities are left out in the cold. For example why would Spiderman and Iron Man support releasing their secret identities to the public? In Spiderman's case he realizes that it was a bad idea, which makes him change his mind a few issues later, but still. Tony Stark's only possible reason for doing what he did would be to take control of S.H.E.I.L.D. Other than that?
Punisher comes into the equation later on, but only stays around long enough to accomplish a few things and then fades back out. Of course Punisher has his own series where his personality can be developed, so Marvel and Millar didn't see fit to do much to develop him here.
Really to understand all the details of Civil War you have to pick up a bunch of other books and read them, therefore giving Marvel more money. If you just want to read this event though you'll be greeted by some absolutely beautiful art, lots of action, and not much else. If you really want a good comic that takes everything that comics should be into account, I recommend Watchmen.
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Civil War (Marvel Comics)
For some reason fanboys 'round the world have either praised or rudely complained about the Civil War series. Mark Millar has written some fantastic comics. This is no exception. Great book.
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It's that time again for another massive, universe shattering cross over. Marvel's answer to DC's Infinite Crisis, Civil War puts a more believable spin on a superhero cataclysm. When a tragic superhuman battle incinerates hundreds of innocent children, the government makes a stand for superheroes to register as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, or find themselves in jail. Naturally, not everyone falls into line for this. Tony "Iron Man" Stark is the biggest supporter of this, with other heroes like Spider-Man, Mr. Fantastic, Hank "Yellowjacket" Pym, Wasp, Ms. Marvel, the Sentry, and Wonder Man on his side; while Captain America stands against him with a group of warriors including Daredevil, Goliath, Hercules, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, Cloak & Dagger, and the Young Avengers among others. As the story goes on, the lengths that these characters go to in an effort to do what they believe is right is what makes Civil War work. There is no right or wrong in this situation, which leads many sitting on the sidelines (a majority of the X-Men, Doctor Strange) as villains join the fray, and members switch sides. Mark Millar, better known for writing the excellent Ultimates series, scribes the story with great art by Steve McNiven; but Civil War isn't without it's flaws. Spider-Man's revelation of his identity to the public comes off as little more than a plot device, while the even more cataclysmic elements that follow these events (including the much lauded death of Captain America) aren't included here. Not to mention that Millar's treatment of the Punisher is laughable, which only furthers my previous notion that the only writer to ever really "get" the character (regardless if it's in a world with superheroes or without) is Garth Ennis. All that being said here, the good does outweigh the bad with Civil War, as Millar offers a very compelling, action packed, and thought provoking story with modern day political underlinings, while McNiven contributes great artwork. You'll either dig it or you'll hate it, but either way you have to admit: Civil War will have a lasting effect on the Marvel universe for some time, and it should definitely be checked out by comic readers new and old.
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