Comics Review: Civil War

Civil War was a fantastic read. It delved into serious issues, using superheroes as a backdrop. After the events in Stamford, aforementioned in my prior review for the first two issues, the heroes are split into two camps. The underground, led by Captain America, we're against the superhuman registration act (SHRA), while Tony Stark was a staunch supporter. Both sides believed fervently in their cause, but there were some switchovers. Most notably, Peter Parker took a risk and revealed himself, but later switched sides. This occurred after Stark tricked Cap's team into battle, and when things were looking bad, they called a cyborg version of thor to come down. Unfortunately, he was not completely under control, and he ended up killing Bill Foster, aka goliath. This led Spider-Man to switch over. Frank Castle also comes in to join the underground, but is asked to leave after being a bit too trigger happy. Meanwhile, SHIELD and Tony are hoping to create a superhero team for every state, and even recruit some former villains to join a new Thunderbolts team. They actually beat up Spidey quite well until he is saved by Punisher. Finally, Cap has enough, and groups everyone together to break into 42, the prison in the negative zone established by Tony, Mr. Fantastic, and Hank Pym. They obtain the data needed to get in by breaking into the Baxter Building. After a battle in 42, Cloak teleports them to Manhattan, where the fight continues until Cap realizes they are fighting for the sake of fighting now, not for a cause, and thus stops the fight. Cap surrenders into police custody, while the other heroes are given amnesty. Sue Richards, who left to join Cap, returns to her family. Tony becomes head of SHIELD, and his superhero initiative is carried out. And Cap goes into custody, but in the epilogue (Captain America #25), he is gunned down by an assassin and Sharon Carter, under the influence of some guy named Dr. Faustus, who is working for Red Skull, who's in someone else's body. And thus ends the civil war.

Overall, it was a good, solid story, with some truly beautiful artwork by McNiven. It's my favorite comic book artwork to date. It told a good story too, although i feel it could've been fleshed out more and been a big longer. I guess thats what the tie-in series are for. I liked the idea that Stark, Reed, and Pym came up with 100 ideas to make the world safer, hence 42. Enjoyable read, I hope the subsequent crossovers are as good.