Civil War by Mark Millar
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Book Reviews of Civil War
Book Review: Excellent Art, Average Story
Summary: 4 Stars
"Civil War", Marvel Comics' most controversial story ever published is collected here in its entirety. Originally a seven-issue mini-series, Civil War was a multi-pronged storyline that actually was dealt with in several of Marvel Comics serial publications, but the core story is here.
It begins as a group of college-aged superheroes, The New Warriors, discover and ambush a group of escaped super-criminals who were in hiding in Stamford, Connecticut. The New Warriors are the stars of a superhero-based reality TV series, and for some of the Warriors (Speedball in particular), ratings are as much a motivation as civic duty.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, one of their quarry is Nitro: a villain who can literally explode himself with the force of an H-bomb, then re-form himself with no ill effects. The Warriors' fight meets a tragic end when Nitro uses his bomb-power right next to an elementary school--the high-level explosion ends up killing roughly 800 or so people, including the heroes and Nitro's confederates.
When news of the tragedy hits the media, a firestorm of public opinions places the super-hero community under unprecedented scrutiny. Due in part to the political activism of the mother of a Stamford victim, U.S. Congress passes a new Super Human Registration Act (SHRA), which effectively requires all would-be crime fighters (and essentially, anyone with a super-power) to register with the federal government--subsequently, they would be eligible for formal training and deputization as an officially sanctioned super-hero.
Leading the pro-registration initiative are Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, himself a former Secretary of Defense for the White House. His top lieutenants in this endeavor are Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) of the Fantastic Four and Hank Pym (Yellowjacket) of the Avengers. Between the three of them, they conceive dozens of potential strategies to use in the execution of the new status quo for costumed adventurers. Among them is `42'--a trans-dimensional prison where super-criminals--and potentially, unregistered superheroes--will be placed.
The abruptness of the passing of the act, as well as the apparent militarization of its enforcement via the espionage/counter-terror outfit SHIELD doesn't sit well with WWII veteran and longtime iconic crime fighter Captain America. When he balks at registering, he is labeled an enemy of the state, and hunted by government forces as well as the newly registered heroes under Iron Man. `Cap' begins recruiting fellow dissenters among the super-hero community, and they form an anti-resistance partisan movement.
The SHRA basically splits the American super-hero element in half--some see it as a natural evolution to make superheroes a `legitimate' arm of law-enforcement. Others see it as big-government interference, with super-heroes as `Good Samaritans' who help people when standard law enforcement can not--or will not--intervene. During the course of the saga, some heroes die, some switch sides, some make choices that will have drastic consequences for the future, whatever the outcome.
Artist Steve McNiven is an excellent draftsman; his photo-realistic artwork helps maintain the conceit that all the characters are real people, which is appropriate, given the dark themes explored in the book. Author Mark Millar attempts a deconstructive analysis of the role of the `super-hero' in a post-911 America: Most, by traditional legal definitions would be considered vigilantes; he seems to ask the question- is it truly oppression to create legal safeguards for superheroes, to weed out the reckless and the unstable? Is the U.S. government really prepared for the ethical and legal consequences of having a virtual army of superhumans at their beck and call? The political subtexts exposed here are self-evident, and depending on the reader's political alignment, they may find themselves elated or infuriated with them.
While several events throughout the story are exciting, the resolution is somewhat anti-climactic. Also, as mentioned above, several parallel stories were told throughout other Marvel comic book series-- Spider-Man, New Avengers, and more---so purchasing them will give readers a much more thorough examination of this saga, but may prove annoying for readers who don't want to buy multiple volumes for a `single' story.
Book Review: Polarizing, and Rightly So
Summary: 4 Stars
In the mid-nineties, I'd had enough. I was so sick of the foil-embossed, glow-in-the-dark, one-of-twelve variant covers that jacked up the prices of my favorite comics. The culprit of such nefarious acts: Marvel Comics. At that point in time, I was eighteen, and even I realized what they were doing was ridiculous and so I boycotted Marvel from that moment on.
Well, here we are, a little over ten years later, and Marvel has finally won me back. It started with Brian Michael Bendis on Daredevil. Kevin Smith got me onboard, Bendis kept me there, and Brubaker is making sure I never leave. Then, Mark Millar showed me something I'd never seen before in comics with The Ultimates. After that, Joss Whedon started Astonishing X-Men, and how could I pass that excellent series up? Finally, Bendis, the man who first got a toehold on me, brought us his version of The New Avengers, which I love. House of M entertained me to no end as well, and, of course, the writer was none other than Bendis.
So there I was, an avid Marvel haterator, but I was reading primarily Marvel and Vertigo! So when Civil War came out in collected edition, I couldn't resist, even though it is hugely overpriced.
I know Civil War is a polarizing comic, and I think that's the point. The whole storyline is about taking sides, and so of course the comic book community is either going to love it or hate it. I, as you've probably guessed, loved it.
I love the idea of two of Earth's best heroes, Captain America and Iron Man, falling into opposition on a wildly political landscape. The idea of having to register if you're a super hero is completely logical, and while many people think Iron Man became a villain because of this storyline, I couldn't disagree more. But, that's an argument for another time.
Millar successfully showed us both sides of the registration viewpoint, and I felt he really conveyed the heroes' viewpoints on the subject equally and without favor. Make no mistake, though, this series was not about philosophical rhetoric, this was an event! Millar is one of the best at delivering nonstop action with an almost cinematic feel, and Civil War was more the same.
Be aware, however, that as you're reading it, there are definite breaks between issues. Millar does a nice job of catching us up to speed as to what happened in the characters' own titles between issue of Civil War, but for some the shift may be too abrupt. However, to me, it just felt like a television show where you have to kind of fill in the gaps between episodes. The overall story progressed fluidly enough to make these shifts manageable.
I totally dug Civil War. I love seeing all of these Marvel characters together in one book, and while the super hero fighting super hero thing can get old in comics, I thought this was a fresh way of delivering that time-honored tradition. Best of all, there seems to have been a concerted effort throughout the Marvel Universe to lead up to Civil War, and, also best of all, this is anything but a one-and-done. The Civil War fallout is continuing throughout the Marvel titles, which shows me that there is superb editorial communication taking place, which in my opinion, makes for a more enjoyable reading experience.
Oh, by the way, the artist of the series, Steve McNiven, is absolutely wonderful. The art alone makes this book worth picking up. He and Bryan Hitch have a real feel for Millar's scripts.
So, all that being said, you might love Civil War, you might hate it, but you will assuredly become captivated by it and form a definite opinion. And isn't that the point? I'm not going to go crazy and shout from on high, "Make mine Marvel!" But, I'm getting there. Who'd a thunk it?
~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant
Book Review: Responding to some of the critical reviews.
Summary: 4 Stars
I posted this as a response to the review by Art, but I thought it worth pegging it up on it's own, with edits:
There are a lot of mixed and negative reviews of this book. My review bounces off those, rather than the book itself, which I'll just say I thoroughly enjoyed.
If you are going to enjoy this book, first of all, don't take superhero comics too seriously. This isn't supposed to be "Palestine" or "American Splendor", this is the Fantastic Four we're talking about. It is goofy entertainment. If you are going to criticize fundamental genre conventions, do if from further back. That is, criticize fundamental genre conventions, don't roast this one particular manifestation of them as if it exists in a vacuum.
That being said, I think some reviewers are a bit off on some specific points. One major complaint some reviewers make is that this story doesn't fit into the relationships/characterizations/stories they have come to expect from these Marvel superheroes. That is only the case though if you haven't been keeping up with Marvel comics over the past few years.
Starting from "Avengers Disassembled/House of M", this story has been building in all the Marvel books for years. The tension between some heroes/groups over the registration issue, and over the nature of the heroes' relationships with conventional law enforcement/military, has been cleverly woven into many Marvel books. So to see it all finally come to a boil here is satisfying to those that have been following things. For those that haven't, you'll just have to fill in that gap with your imagination--that's the price of enjoying serialized entertainment.
The same must be said for the tensions between certain heroes/groups of heroes. Don't judge the actions of characters through the lenses of the relationships you remember from 10 years ago. Ever since Brian Bendis became the defacto director of the Marvel super-world, he and the other authors have been ratcheting up the tension from inside and in-between various groups. The characterizations here are totally consistent within the context that has been built up over the last few years within the "Marvel Universe".
The "ham-fisted attempts to relate to current events" have been a staple of comic books for years. The entire conceit of the X-Men (for example) is that being a mutant is analogous (in a fantastical way) to being gay (or Jewish, or some other persecuted minority)...they even cooked up "The Legacy Virus", a mutant equivalent to AIDS. That kind of attempt to inject a bit of current-event gravitas is old news. You kind of take it or leave it when you read Marvel comics.
I agree that a lot of the characterizations are...distasteful. It is a trend across the industry. In an effort to make characters more realistic and diverse, writers have really taken to making a lot of them just plain jerks. What makes this work for me is that there are still honest-to-goodness likable and "noble" characters out there. Taken as a whole, the entire cast of characters does seem a bit more "realistic" when not every superhero is some kind of saint with a cape, as in the old days.
For those that are deep into the current Marvel Universe, this is a great book, a cornerstone of the modern Marvel storyline. For those that are more casual readers, dipping occasionally into superhero books, you'll either have to take this as an opportunity to get to know the current Marvel Universe a bit better...or read it with the grains of salt I've just sprinkled here.
There ARE many other Marvel books out there that are less enmeshed in the current continuity of things and that should appeal more to general readers...
Book Review: Love it or hate it, Civil War has a lasting effect
Summary: 4 Stars
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.Book Review: The Crossover to Redefine the Marvel Universe
Summary: 4 Stars
I will start out by saying, Civil War has a weak ending, but it is an ultimately satisfying read, that delivered on its promise to completely change the Marvel Universe.
The story by Millar focuses on a war between heroes. After New Warriors make a huge mess of things in Stamford, the US government is forced into creating a new law against costumed vigilantes. This law forces our favourite heroes to take sides and engage each other.
Much has been said about Millar mischaracterizing some of the characters, especially Iron Man. I don't believe that is the case here and Iron Man is only fighting for what he believes in (though I have to agree that Mark Millar is taking this to the extreme). Millar is like comic books Michael Bay (though he is much better at dialogue) and this book is the proof of it, there are many intense action sequences here that take up large part of the story but Millar also finds some space for some great character moments as well.
This book is full of political undertones and is almost a critique to American politics today, the scene that shows this well is Captain America's escape from the Helicarries, which symbolises the conflict between the America of old and the America of today, and I appreciate what Millar's ambition in this book.
Where Civil War really shines is in the artwork by Steve McNiven, the guy is FANTASTIC! His characters show a lot of expression and fluidity in action sequences. Some people say they look too plastic...I wont say they dont, because indeed they do, but that is not a problem by me, because they still look superb. The colours by MoHo (Morris Hollowell) are brilliant as well, they really add a lot to McNiven's already impressive pencils, making the pictures much more real and pretty to look at.
Despite the weak ending, Civil War is highly recommendable to the Marvel fan or to a more casual comic reader, because as well as entertaining in its own right, it opens up many great possibilities for the Marvel Universe post-CW.