Civil War (comic book)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the comic book. For other uses, see Civil war (disambiguation)

Civil War
Cover art for Civil War #7. Art by Michael Turner.
Publisher Marvel Comics Format Crossover, including a core limited series Publication dates 2006-7 Number of issues 7 plus tie-ins Creative team Writer(s) Mark Millar Penciller(s) Steve McNiven Inker(s) Dexter Vines Colourist(s) Morry Hollowell

Civil War is a Marvel Comics summer 2006 and winter 2006/2007 crossover event, based around a core limited series of the same name written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven. The work builds upon events appearing in previous Marvel crossovers, particularly Avengers Disassembled, House of M and Decimation. Some story elements are the result of the limited series Secret War. The tagline for the series is Whose Side Are You On?^[1]

Contents 1 Overview 2 Delays 3 Synopsis 4 Critical reaction 5 Consequences 6 Involved but not listed 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Overview

The premise of the Civil War storyline is the introduction of a Superhuman Registration Act in the United States. Similar acts have been used as literary devices in Watchmen, Uncanny X-Men, DC: The New Frontier, Powers and The Incredibles, though never on a scale such as permanently altering an entire pantheon of established pop culture icons. Millar has said:

“

I opted instead for making the superhero dilemma something a little different. People thought they were dangerous, but they did not want a ban. What they wanted was superheroes paid by the federal government like cops and open to the same kind of scrutiny. It was the perfect solution and nobody, as far as I'm aware, has done this before.[2]

”

The act requires any person in the United States with superhuman abilities to register with the federal government, (which includes revealing his/her true identity to the authorities), and receive proper training. Those who sign also have the option of working for S.H.I.E.L.D., earning a salary and benefits such as those earned by other American civil servants. Characters within the superhuman community in the Marvel Universe split into two groups: one group advocating the registration as a responsible obligation and the other group opposing the law on the grounds that it violates civil rights and the protection that secret identities provide. Some compare the act to a form of slavery. Others compare it to the way police and soldiers must operate. The genesis for this idea sprang from conversations between Mark Millar, Brian Michael Bendis, and Bryan Hitch.^[2] Within the story the adoption of sides by characters builds into the titular "civil war". Although the series can be read as allegorical commentary in the wake of 9/11 and The Patriot Act, writer Mark Millar has noted:

“

The political allegory is only for those that are politically aware. Kids are going to read it and just see a big superhero fight.[3]

”

[edit] Delays

Marvel announced in August 2006 that the main Civil War book would be pushed back several months to accommodate artist Steve McNiven. The schedule had issue #4 being released one month late, in September, while issue #5 was released two months later in November. Furthermore, various tie-in books including the Civil War: Front Line mini-series and tie-in issues of other comics were delayed several months so as not to spoil any plot twists.^[4]

In late November, Marvel announced another delay, this time due to strep throat. Civil War #6, once scheduled for release in December 20, had been pushed back two weeks and was released in January 4. Unlike the last time, only one tie-in was delayed, that being The Punisher War Journal #2. Furthermore, Civil War #7 was also pushed back two weeks from January 17 to January 31.^[5] and then pushed back again until the 21st of February.^[6]

[edit] Synopsis

The New Warriors battle a group of villains (Cobalt Man, Speedfreek, Coldheart, Nitro) in Stamford, Connecticut while filming a reality television show. Nitro explodes, killing more than 600 people (including school children and all of the New Warriors except Speedball). The rest of the superheroes appear in Stamford to search for survivors. Public opinion against superhumans turns, giving momentum to the Superhuman Registration Act days later. Angry civilians attack the Human Torch outside of a club.^[7]

After Captain America refuses to join a S.H.I.E.L.D. strikeforce created to fight all superhumans in violation of the act, he becomes a fugitive and forms an underground resistance called the "Secret Avengers". This team includes Hercules, Falcon, and Danny Rand, (who is acting as Daredevil).^[8] Luke Cage and the Young Avengers also join.^[9][8] Tony Stark (Iron Man), who supports the act, organizes registered superhumans and makes plans to support the act with Reed Richards and Hank Pym. Spider-Man unmasks himself at a press conference at Stark's behest as a show of support for the act.^[8] The X-Men declare their official neutrality in the conflict.^[10]

A battle between the two sides culminates in the appearance of a cyborg clone of Thor,^[10] who kills the Secret Avenger Bill Foster. Sue Richards, a member of Stark's team, defends the Secret Avengers from the Thor clone's lightning blast, giving them a chance to escape. In the fight's aftermath, several Secret Avengers leave to join Stark. Meanwhile, Johnny Storm and Sue Richards join Captain America. Stark, Richards, and Pym draft the Thunderbolts to their cause.^[11]

After contemplating the brutal death of Bill Foster and touring the Pro-Registration prison facilities in the Negative Zone,^[12] Spider-Man decides that he has made a mistake, and after a battle with Stark and the Thunderbolts, he escapes and joins the Secret Avengers.^[11]

The Secret Avengers break into the Negative Zone prison, where Hulkling, who has been disguised as Hank Pym, releases the imprisoned heroes from their cells to join the fight.^[13] Cloak teleports the combatants to New York City, where Namor and an army of Atlanteans arrive to fight alongside the Secret Avengers, whereas the Champions, the Thor clone, and Captain Marvel reinforce Stark's team. As Captain America is about to deliver a final blow to Stark, policemen, EMTs, and firefighters try to hold him back. Realizing how much damage the fight has cost the very people he wishes to protect, Captain America surrenders and orders his team to stand down.

In the aftermath of the event, the President of the United States grants general amnesty to all those who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act (except Captain America who is sent to jail); Tony Stark is appointed as the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D., demoting Maria Hill to deputy status; the 50-State Initiative, which puts a superhero team in every state, launches; and the Mighty Avengers assemble as a new team. Some heroes choose to move to Canada (resulting in the creation of the second Omega Flight), and some stay underground, including the New Avengers.^[14]

[edit] Critical reaction

After the publication of Civil War #7, Mark Millar was interviewed by Newsarama and described the event as "a story where I took a giant piss over everything that the superheroes in the Marvel universe have ever stood for." ",^[15] agreeing that a "certain amount of political allegory"^[15] was present but that the real focus of the book was on superheroes fighting each other. Contrasting it with The Ultimates, Millar stated that Civil War was "accidentally political because I just cannot help myself".^[15]

Millar was also questioned about the perception that, despite Marvel's initial marketing^{[citation needed]}, the two sides were not being presented equally to readers. He responded by explaining that "it's pretty much Tony's side that gets the better rep all the way through" the main Civil War book, but that "the tie-in books demonized them a little".^[15]

[edit] Consequences

• Luke Cage leads a new team of New Avengers comprised of Spider-Man, Jessica Drew, Iron Fist, Doctor Strange, Ronin, Echo and Wolverine.
• Firestar retires.
• Speedball's powers are drastically altered, and he becomes Penance, a member of the Thunderbolts.
• Bill Foster, Bantam, Typeface, and possibly other heroes are killed.
• The Thunderbolts are reformed to be comprised of more recently active villains than heroes.
• Each U.S. state has its own superhero team as part of the 50 States Initiative.
• Iron Man is the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and forms the Mighty Avengers led by Carol Danvers.
• Mutants may roam freely but the Sentinels stay at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
• Bishop is offered a position with the Office of National Emergency (O*N*E).
• Spider-Man's identity is now known to the world and his Aunt May is shot.
• Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman take a break from the Fantastic Four to work on their marriage. They are replaced by the Black Panther and Storm.
• Captain America is assassinated.
• Many heroes and villains died or fled like Arachne to Canada to avoid prosecution. The latter joined Omega Flight alongside U.S. Agent, Michael Pointer, Beta Ray Bill, Talisman and Sasquatch.
• Captain Marvel is brought to the present after his fight with Nitro that would lead to his death.
• A new group of New Warriors emerges, however it bears little resemblance to the original group

[edit] Involved but not listed

• The 2006 Eternals relaunch has the Civil War play a fairly present background in the setting with Sprite appearing in pre-registration PSAs. In issue #3, Iron Man reminds Sersi to register. In issue #6, Iron Man and Hank Pym try to get the Eternals to register again, but they refuse. In the end, Zuras explains that the Eternals have no desire to meddle with humanity, and will stay out of their affairs, which Iron Man conceeds as a fair compromise.
• Daredevil #87 leads into Civil War: Choosing Sides (one-shot)
• New X-Men #28, and She-Hulk #9-10, are indirectly but strongly involved.
• Black Panther #19-20 "World Tour" Black Panther meets with Doctor Doom then the Inhumans to discuss the Civil War
• The cover of Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #11 features a Civil War parody cover including a plaid background, the words "Not part of a Marvel Comics event", and Aaron Stack holding up a card reading "Mark Millar licks goats".
• Spider-Man and Power Pack #3 (March 2007), includes a parody entitled "Civil Wards," written by Marc Sumerak and illustrated by Chris Giarrusso.
• The final issue of Robert Kirkman's Marvel Team-Up opens with Peter Parker getting ready to travel to Washington with Iron Man.
• The third issue of the 2006 Union Jack mini-series also mentions Tony Stark and Peter Parker's trip to Washington.
• Incredible Hulk #100 includes a 12-page backup story dealing with Mr. Fantastic's involvement with the Thor clone, and the repercussions of the Illuminati having exiled the Hulk into space.
• In Annihilation #4, the former Earth hero Nova is aware of the Civil War and is disappointed with the actions the heroes have taken, as they are not united against the threat of Annihilus.

[edit] See also

• Civil War: The Initiative
• Avengers: The Initiative
• Mighty Avengers

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Marvel.com - Official site
• The first Civil War trailer from Marvel.com
• The second Civil War trailer from Marvel.com

Newsarama Coverage

• Newsarama Story on Civil War
• Civil War Q&A panel
• Press release on Sold Out issues
• Article on Civil War: Ceasefire
• Talking Civil War, Millarworld II, & '08 With Millar
• Mark Millar's Civil War post-game show

Newsarama's Civil War Room
During the run of Civil War, the comics website Newsarama ran monthly "Civil War Room" discussions, talking to Civil War editor Tom Brevoort and writer Mark Millar about each issue, the day after it hits the stands.

• Civil War Room#1
• Civil War Room#2
• Civil War Room#3
• Civil War Room#4
• Civil War Room#5 (Tom Brevoort)
• Civil War Room#5 (Mark Millar)
• Civil War Room#6
• Civil War Room#7
• Return to the Civil War Room#1
• Return to the Civil War Room#2
• Return to the Civil War Room#3
• Return to the Civil War Room#4
• Return to the Civil War Room#5

Comic Book Resources Coverage

• Joe Quesada's first Civil War interview
• Joe Quesada's second interview
• Tom Brevoort's interview
• Mark Millar's interview
• Retailer reaction to Civil War