The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War
by J. Michael Straczynski, Stan Lee
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Book Summary Information
Author: J. Michael Straczynski, Stan LeeIllustrator: Ron Garney
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-02
ISBN: 0785122370
Number of pages: 168
Publisher: Marvel
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780785122371
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War
Book Review: Spider-Man is caught in the middle of Marvel's "Civil War"
Summary: 5 Stars
When the New Warriors battle a group of super villains in Stamford, Connecticut as part of a reality television show, things go horrible wrong and over 600 people are killed. Peter Parker flies with Tony Stark to the site of the disaster, where the survivors look at Spider-Man and Iron Man as it they were responsible. Congress passes the Super Human Registration Act, Tony admits to the President that he is Iron Man, and now everybody in a mask is going to have to take it off, reveal themselves, and register with the government. Anybody who remains anonymous will be considered a bad guy; those who refuse to comply will be hunted down and arrested and imprisoned, along with anyone who aided or abetted them in keeping their identities secret. Tony Stark will stand behind registration and the big question is whether Spider-Man will finally take off his mask in public and stand by him.
"Civil War: Amazing Spider-Man" collects issues #532-38 of "The Amazing Spider-Man," and focuses directly on how Spider-Man is caught in the middle of Marvel's "Civil War." The story arc is more about Peter Parker living with his decision than it is about making it, because the fateful decision is made by the end of the first of these six issues. Aunt May and Mary Jane support Spider-Man unmasking because they want the whole world to know why they love him so much, but then Tony Stark announces that Spider-Man, along with Reed Richards ("Mr. Fantastic") and Hank Pym ("Yellowjacket"), are part of the initial strike force that will go out and bring in those who refuse to register. That means Spider-Man might have to fight Captain America, the leader of those opposing the SRA, and Aunt May is not along in being unable to imagine something that terrible actually happening. So, of course, that is actually what happens and what makes Peter question what side he should be on.
The seven issues collected here take place against the main stage of what is taking place in the "Civil War" limited series, and while it can stand on its own for the most part, what happens between issues #537 and #538 is not going to be clear unless you pick up that other trade paperback. In this one writer J. Michael Straczynski is now working with penciler Ron Garney and inker Bill Reinhold on "Amazing Spider-Man," and in the wake of John Romita, Jr.'s departure from the title this artistic team is proving to be a decent replacement (Just like when John Romita, Sr. stopped being Spider-Man's artist it takes a while for the art of others to look right to me). But it is Stracyznski's take on the situation that Marvel has put our hero in that is the strength of this small part of the bigger picture and why I round up on this collection: Peter's decision to support registration is just as well reasoned as his decision to change his mind.
In my Introduction to Popular Culture class my students read "Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1," and create a model for the five key defining elements in Spider-Man comics. They then compare a current issue of a Spider-Man title to their model to see how well it stakes up, so having Spider-Man reveal his secret identity to the world was a major shock and most of them had only been reading comic books for about a month. For those of us who harked back to the 1960s (issue #62 to be exact), this is a monumental change and I have to say I just do not like it, because no matter how interesting things are in the short run, in the long run I think it will change things way too much. The sight of J. Jonah Jameson finally learning that Peter Parker is Spider-Man is a priceless moment, but after that the reality of this strange new world starts settling in, which means protesters, lawsuits, idiots with guns, and a professional hit man sent by the Kingpin who has more than Peter Parker on his hit list.
The great irony here is that by changing everything and having the world knowing Spider-Man's secret identity, the character is actually getting back to the old days when the cops were always trying to capture our hero. Of course now it is not just the police but also a lot of other superheroes, with Iron Man at the top of the list, that after Spider-Man. It is way too early to know how this is going to play out, but what with a "new" secret identity, worrying about the health and safety of his loved ones, and the whole "Back in Black" bit going on this summer, it is going to be quite interesting for a while. Fortunately readers of "The Amazing Spider-Man" have Straczynski at the helm to guide us through these new waters and make the new journey a lot more palatable.
Summary of The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War
Life couldn't be more complicated - or more dangerous - for Peter Parker. After rushing to the aftermath of the Stamford Massacre to offer aid to its victims, Peter travels with Tony Stark to Washington, D.C., and the White House - where the enactment of the Super Hero Registration Act appears imminent. As the Marvel Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of super heroes, Peter is forced to make an important personal decision - maybe the most important decision of his life. As Civil War tears apart the super hero community, will Spidey stay true to that decision? Collects Amazing Spider-Man #532-538.Superheroes Books
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