Civil War
by Mark Millar
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mark MillarBrand: Marvel
Illustrator: Steve McNiven
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-04-11
ISBN: 078512179X
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Book Reviews of Civil War
Book Review: We might not like the "Civil War" and its aftermath, but we will all have to deal with it
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Summary of Civil War
The landscape of the Marvel Universe is changing, and it's time to choose: Whose side are you on? A conflict has been brewing from more than a year, threatening to pit friend against friend, brother against brother - and all it will take is a single misstep to cost thousands their lives and ignite the fuse! As the war claims its first victims, no one is safe as teams, friendships and families begin to fall apart. The crossover that rewrites the rules, Civil War stars Spider-Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the entirety of the Marvel pantheon! Collects Civil War #1-7, plus extras.Superheroes Books
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