Civil War

By: KURT AMACKER
Review Date: Friday, June 16, 2006

I realize I already reviewed the first issues of both CIVIL WAR and its companion series, FRONTLINE. But, I couldn't ignore this issue. By now, the Internet has cracked in half with the news about the final two pages of this second issue of Marvel's CIVIL WAR. If you're one of the five people that don't know already, consider this your spoiler warning. This is your last chance to turn back.

All right, I warned you, fanboy. To show his support for the recently enacted Superhero Registration Act, Spider-Man unmasks at a press conference and reveals his identity to the world. It's not a stand-in, it's not a robot, and it''s not a clone -- at least not yet. Peter Parker finally comes clean. I must admit I was a little taken aback by Iron Man's unmasking in CIVIL WAR: FRONTLINE, but I didn't expect this. I'll give Marvel credit for dropping a hell of a bombshell. Unfortunately, the buildup to the grand unveiling feels more like blasé setup than a part of the epic that CIVIL WAR will likely turn out to be. Mark Millar quickly establishes both the passage of the Superhero Registration Act, the assembling of a resistance force under Captain America (with Nick Fury's support, apparently), and S.H.I.E.L.D.''s enforcement of the new law -- most notably against the Young Avenger, Patriot. All of those should, in and of themselves, take more space then they get in this issue. Maybe I should just pick up all of the crossover titles to get the full story.


Regardless, this isn't a bad read. Unfortunately, even the best ongoing comics are hindered by the brevity of a single month's issue. But, aside from the dynamite ending, it feels like the writer wants to establish a few subplots just as quickly as if he'd explained them to you. However, Millar still manages to squeeze in a few interesting character moments, most notably between Reed and Sue Richards. Reed explains to Sue that, from a mathematical standpoint, the Marvel Universe is on the fast track to the apocalypse given the amount of vigilante activity and its quantifiable effects. Though it won't surprise me if Captain America and the resistance are ultimately given the moral high ground by the end of CIVIL WAR, it's nice that Millar and Marvel have taken the time to explore other points of view. But, maybe I'm wrong.

I doubt anyone's going to start CIVIL WAR with the second issue and work their way backwards. But, if the unmasking finale sounds enticing, grab the first issue and catch up before the real fighting starts.


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