Civil War (comic book)

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Civil War
Image:Civilwar7.PNG
Cover art for Civil War #7.
Art by Steve McNiven.
Publisher Marvel Comics
Format a core limited series including crossovers
Publication date 2006-2007
Number of issues 7 plus tie-ins
Main character(s) Iron Man(Tony Stark)
Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
Multiple others
Creative team
Writer(s) Mark Millar
Penciller(s) Steve McNiven
Inker(s) Dexter Vines
Colorist(s) Morry Hollowell

Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover event built around a seven-issue limited series of the same name written by Mark Millar, and penciled by Steve McNiven. The storyline builds upon the events that developed in previous Marvel crossovers, particularly Avengers Disassembled, House of M, Decimation, and Secret War.

The tagline for the series is Whose Side Are You On?.[1]

Contents

[edit] Overview

The premise of the Civil War storyline involves 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, Astro City, and The Incredibles, though never on a scale such as permanently altering an entire pantheon of established pop culture icons. Mark Millar, writer for the story, 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, reveal his/her true identity to the authorities, and undergo 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 advocating the registration as a responsible obligation (and the villains who join this side for the "get out of jail" card) and the other opposing the law on the grounds that it violates civil liberties and the protection that secret identities provide. Luke Cage (Power Man), an African-American, compared registration to slavery, and did so to Iron Man's face. Others compare the act to the norms under which the police and soldiers 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] Plot synopsis

The New Warriors (Night Thrasher, Namorita, Speedball, and Microbe) battle a group of villains (Cobalt Man, Speedfreek, Coldheart, and 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 turns against superhumans. Even the inactive members of the New Warriors are branded as "baby killers". Hindsight (desperate to distance himself from the team) releases their secret identities online, and several are attacked. She-Hulk forces Hindsight to shut down the site, and Hindsight is arrested by John Jameson. Angry civilians attack the Human Torch outside a club.

Guided by Iron Man, Congress quickly passes the Superhuman Registration Act [4] (SHRA), 6 U.S.C. § 558, requiring the registration of all persons with superhuman abilities with the U.S. government, and the enlistment and training of those wishing to operate as superheroes. The law applies to those with naturally-occurring superhuman abilities, those humans using exotic technology (such as Iron Man), or anyone who wants to challenge the superhumans.[5] Enactment of the federal law led to revisions of state criminal codes (such as Chapter 40, Article 120, Section 120 of the New York Penal Code, and Section 245(d) of the California Penal Code).[6]

Captain America refuses to join S.H.I.E.L.D. strike force hunting superhumans in violation of the act, and is attacked by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s "Cape-Killers", even though the Act has not been passed yet. Afterwards, he becomes a fugitive and forms an underground resistance movement calling itself the "Secret Avengers". This team includes Hercules, Falcon, Danny Rand (who is acting as Daredevil in Matt Murdock's place),[7] Luke Cage, and the Young Avengers.[8][7] Iron Man, Reed Richards, Henry Pym, and She-Hulk come down in favor of the Act. Spider-Man unmasks at a press conference as a show of support for the Act.[7] Doctor Strange wants no part of the Act and tells Iron Man and Mister Fantastic that they are never to call on him again (the government declares Doctor Strange exempt from the Act).

The government-backed heroes track down unregistered superhumans and subsequently detain or register them. Captain America's Secret Avengers and Iron Man's Avengers end up fighting in Yancey Street. The Thing, who was only visiting the old neighborhood, gets roped into crowd control. However, when a young member of the Yancy Street Gang is killed in the violence that ensues, Grimm, disgusted with both sides, leaves the country for France.

The Secret Avengers, responding to a false emergency, are lured into an ambush by the pro-registration forces. As the battle turns against them, a new weapon is brought into play: Project Lightning, a cyborg clone of Thor (created from a few strands of the Asgardian's hair and empowered by a technological copy of Mjolnir). Confronted by Bill Foster, "Thor" sends a bolt of lightning through the hero's chest, killing him. With both sides in shock, Cap orders a retreat. Sue Storm shelters the re-grouping Secret Avengers under an energy shield, allowing their escape.

Bill Foster's death shakes up both sides: Stature and Nighthawk surrender and register, while the Human Torch and Invisible Woman oppose the act. In turn, Pym drafts a sub-group of the Thunderbolts to their cause.[9]

Spider-Man demands to see the concentration camp-styled prison facilities "42" in the Negative Zone [10]. He concludes that he has made a mistake by siding with Stark and attempts to defect from Iron Man's side but is confronted by Iron Man and, after a brief battle, escapes. Against Iron Man's will, he is hunted down and badly beaten by the Jester III and Jack O'Lantern of the new Thunderbolts. The Punisher saves Spider-Man by killing the two villains, and carries him to a Secret Avengers safe-house. After recovering from his injuries, Spider-Man joins Cap's forces,[9] and makes a public statement in which he pledges to fight the Registration Act.

The Punisher seeks to join Captain America's forces, pointing out that Iron Man's decision to employ infamous mass murderers as enforcers of the Act is what has motivated the vigilante to come out of hiding, although crime is at an all time low as a result of the registered heroes. Captain America reluctantly accepts Punisher's offer of help.

As the Punisher makes his way through the Baxter Building to retrieve plans for the Negative Zone prison, Sue Richards travels to Atlantis to persuade Namor to join the Secret Avengers, although he refuses. The supervillains Goldbug and Plunderer arrive at the Secret Avengers' base to join Captain America's team, but the Punisher immediately kills them, leading Captain America to attack him and kick him out of the group.

While meditating, Doctor Strange speaks with Uatu the Watcher, who asks Strange why he doesn't use his immense power to end the conflict. Doctor Strange informs Uatu that the Sorcerer Supreme has no business in mankind's internal struggles, but promises to pray for an outcome that will benefit mankind and spill the least amount of blood.

As the final battle begins Cloak teleports the combatants to New York City. Namor and an army of Atlanteans arrive to fight alongside the Secret Avengers, while the Champions, Thor clone, and Khn'nr AKA Captain Marvel, reinforce Stark's team. Mister Fantastic saves Invisible Woman from a bullet launched by Taskmaster, and Hercules destroys the Thor clone. The Thing returns to protect the citizens from harm. Captain America then begins to savagely beat Tony. As Captain America is about to deliver a final blow to Iron Man, policemen, EMTs, and firefighters try to restrain him. Realizing how much damage the fight has already inflicted upon the very people he wishes to protect, Captain America surrenders and orders his team to stand down.

[edit] Aftermath

[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 miniseries and tie-in issues of other comics were delayed several months so as not to reveal any plot developments.[14]

In late November, Marvel announced another delay: Civil War #6, originally scheduled for release in December 20, was pushed back two weeks and released in January 4. Unlike the previous instance, only The Punisher War Journal #2 was delayed.

In a final act of re-scheduling, Civil War #7 was pushed back two weeks (from January 17 to January 31),[15] and then pushed back again until 21 February[16].

[edit] Behind the scenes

After the publication of Civil War #7, Mark Millar was interviewed by Newsarama and described the event as "a story where a guy wrapped in the American flag is in chains as the people swap freedom for security",[17] agreeing that a "certain amount of political allegory"[17] 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".[17]

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 with the pro-registration side shown in a more negative light than the anti-registration side. He responded by explaining that "it's pretty much Tony's side that gets the better rep all the way through" in the main Civil War book, but that "the tie-in books demonized them a little".[17]

Tom Brevoort blogged extensively about the production of Civil War and, some time after the series was over, posted Millar's initial pitch document.

[edit] Reaction

Tom Spurgeon took note of the difficulty in using costumed characters to send messages about real world issues: "When I was a kid I liked it when Captain America saw a high government official commit suicide. I thought that was way deep, man. But I never go there when thinking about Watergate. While Millar's Captain America and I may both worry about civil rights... the moment this leads Cap to take out a battalion of Secret Agents to buttress his point he's kind of lost to me as a potential partner-in-ideology."[18]

According to a scholarly analysis presented at the 2007 Comic-Con International, this story's conflict is a natural outgrowth of what psychologist Erich Fromm called the basic human dilemma, the conflicting desires for both security and freedom, and "character motivations on both sides arise from positive human qualities because Fromm’s image of human nature is ultimately optimistic, holding that people on either side are struggling to find what is best for all."[19]

[edit] Alternate versions

[edit] What If?

In "What If Civil War Ended Differently?," a stranger appears in front of Iron Man who is visiting Captain America’s grave at Arlington. Tony Stark is told of two diverse ways Civil War could have concluded:

  • The first is "What If Captain America led all the heroes against the Registration Act?". In this reality, Tony Stark dies of the Extremis virus, leaving the US government to choose Steve Rogers as the spokesperson for heroes, who as in the regular universe opposes registration. Though he manages to delay its passing, the Stamford disaster occurs as in the true reality. Without Tony Stark to provide a more fair path for Registration, the government's response is more extreme, launching Sentinels that kill the Invisible Woman within mere minutes of the first battle's start. Cap dons a suit of armor to lead the heroes against human-piloted Sentinels but pulls back when he realizes the damage. Henry Gyrich creates a new platoon of troops (consisting entirely of clones of Thor), which overwhelms the heroes, forcing them underground. The heroes continue to strike from the shadows to defeat villains and save lives but eventually Gyrich and Maria Hill launch an ambush that kills Cap and several others, ending the rebellion. Gyrich is eventually elected President of the United States on a metahuman control platform.
  • The second is "What if Iron Man lost the Civil War?". In this reality, Iron Man asks for Cap's help in chapter three instead of threatening him. When the Thor clone is sent out by accident, Reed Richards is quickly knocked out when he tries to initiate the shutdown and Iron Man saves Bill's life at the cost of his own armor. With Reed and Tony, the only men who know the shutdown for the clone, being unable to stop him, Captain America steps in to save Iron Man from being killed, and all the heroes unite to bring the clone down. Afterwards, while discussing the reasons for and against registration, Tony points out that Cap is the perfect person to oversee the registered identities and make sure it runs smoothly outside of government interference as he's the only person the superhero community would trust their identities to if they had to. With this new system in place, the Avengers train new heroes and create a better world.

[edit] Civil War checklist

(This list is in alphabetical order and not in release order)

  • Amazing Spider-Man #529-538
  • Amazing Spider-Man: Decisions reprints #529-532
  • Black Panther #18, 21-25
  • Black Panther: War Crimes Trade Paperback reprints #21-23
  • Blade #5
  • Civil War: Heroes For Hire #1-8
  • Captain America #22-25
  • Cable & Deadpool #30-32
  • Civil War #1-7
  • Civil War Battle Damage Report
  • Civil War: Casualties of War Trade Paperback
  • Civil War: Choosing Sides
  • Civil War Chronicles #1-11
  • Civil War Files
  • Civil War: Front Line #1-11
  • Civil War: Opening Shot Sketchbook
  • Civil War Poster Book
  • Civil War: The Confession
  • Civil War: The Initiative
  • Civil War: The Return
  • Civil War: War Crimes
  • Civil War: X-Men #1-4
  • Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1-4
  • Daily Bugle Special Edition: Civil War
  • Fantastic Four #536-543
  • Fallen Son: Death of Captain America: Wolverine, Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man
  • Ghost Rider #8-11
  • Heroes for Hire #1-3
  • Iron Man #13-14
  • Iron Man / Captain America: Casualties of War
  • Marvel Spotlight: Civil War Aftermath, Captain America Remembered, Mark Millar and Steve McNiven
  • Moon Knight #7-9
  • Ms. Marvel #6-8
  • New Avengers #21-25
  • New Avengers: Illuminati Special
  • Punisher: War Journal #1-3
  • Road to Civil War Trade Paperback
  • She-Hulk #8
  • Thunderbolts #103-105, 110
  • Thunderbolts: Swimming with Sharks reprints #103-105
  • Winter Soldier: Winter Kills
  • Wolverine #42-48
  • X-Factor #8-9

[edit] Collections

  • Straczynski, J. Michael; Bendis, Brian Michael (February 2007). The Road To Civil War, Illustrated by Alex Maleev, Marvel. ISBN 0785119744. 
  • Bendis, Brian Michael (February 2007). New Avengers Vol 5: Civil War, Illustrated by Howard Chaykin, Olivier Coipel, Marvel. ISBN 0785122427. 
  • Reed, Brian (March 2007). Ms. Marvel Vol 2: Civil War, Illustrated by Roberto De La Torre, Mike Wieringo, Marvel. ISBN 0785123040. 
  • Gray, Justin; Palmiotti, Jimmy (April 2007). Heroes for Hire Vol 1: Civil War, Illustrated by Billy Tucci, Marvel. ISBN 0785123628. 
  • Millar, Mark (April 2007). Civil War TPB, Illustrated by Steve McNiven, Marvel. ISBN 078512179X. 
  • Nicieza, Fabian (April 2007). Civil War: Thunderbolts, Illustrated by Tom Grummett, Marvel. ISBN 0785119477. 
  • Jenkins, Paul (April 2007). Civil War: Front Line, Book 1, Illustrated by Ramon F. Bachs, Marvel. ISBN 0785123121. 
  • Straczynski, J. Michael (April 2007). Civil War: Amazing Spider-Man, Illustrated by Ron Garney, Marvel. ISBN 0785122370. 
  • Hine, David (April 2007). Civil War: X-Men, Illustrated by Yanick Paquette, Marvel. ISBN 078512313X. 
  • Fraction, Matt (April 2007). Punisher War Journal Vol 1: Civil War, Illustrated by Ariel Olivetti, Marvel. ISBN 0785127755. 
  • Straczynski, J. Michael (April 2007). Civil War: Fantastic Four, Illustrated by Mike McKone, Marvel. ISBN 0785122273. 
  • Wells, Zeb (May 2007). Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways, Illustrated by Stefano Caselli, Marvel. ISBN 0785123172. 
  • Guggenheim, Marc (May 2007). Civil War: Wolverine, Illustrated by Humberto Ramos, Marvel. ISBN 0785119809. 
  • Brubaker, Ed (May 2007). Civil War: Captain America, Illustrated by Mike Perkins, Lee Weeks, Marvel. ISBN 0785127984. 
  • Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto (May 2007). Civil War: Peter Parker, Spider-Man, Illustrated by Clayton Crain, Angel Medina, Marvel. ISBN 0785121897. 
  • Jenkins, Paul (May 2007). Civil War: Front Line, Book 2, Illustrated by Ramon F. Bachs, Steve Lieber, Marvel. ISBN 0785124691. 
  • David, Peter; Nicieza, Fabian (May 2007). Civil War: X-Men Universe, Illustrated by Dennis Calero, Staz Johnson, Marvel. ISBN 0785122435. 
  • Tieri, Frank (May 2007). Civil War: War Crimes, Illustrated by Staz Johnson, Marvel. ISBN 078512652X. 
  • Hudlin, Reginald (May 2007). Black Panther: Civil War, Illustrated by Scot Eaton, Manuel Garcia, Koi Turnbull, Marvel. ISBN 0785122354. 
  • Biggs, Chris; Byrd, Ronald; Carter, Madison; David, Peter; Fichera, Mike; Flamini, Anthony; Gray, Justin; Guggenheim, Marc; Hine, David; Hoskin, Michael; McLauchlin, Jim; O'English, Mark; Reed, Brian; Slott, Dan; Straczynski, J. Michael; Thomas, John Rhett; Trodglen, Dugan; Vandal, Stuart; Wells, Zeb; York, Jeph (May 2007). Civil War Companion, Illustrated by Scott Kolins, Mike Mayhew, Marvel. ISBN 0785125760. 
  • Brubaker, Ed; Slott, Dan; Jenkins, Paul; Fraction, Matt; Oeming, Michael Avon (June 2007). Civil War: Marvel Universe, Illustrated by Lee Weeks, Tom Raney, Paul Smith, Leinil Francis Yu, David Aja, Phil Hester, Scott Kolins, Ty Templeton, Marvel. ISBN 0785124705. 
  • Brubaker, Ed; Knauf, Charlie; Knauf, Daniel; Hudlin, Reginald (June 2007). Civil War: Iron Man, Illustrated by Mike Perkins, Marvel. ISBN 0785123148. 

[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 pro-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 concedes as a fair compromise.
  • Daredevil #87 leads into Civil War: Choosing Sides (one-shot)
  • New X-Men #28, and She-Hulk #9, 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 (these are not listed as official tie-ins due to a marketing error).
  • 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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Marvel Comics (December 28, 2005). "Civil War". Press release.
  2. ^ a b www.newsarama.com - Civil War & Peace Of Mind with Mark Millar (Part 2). Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  3. ^ The New York Times - The Battle Outside Raging, Superheroes Dive In (Feb 20, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  4. ^ Civil War #1
  5. ^ Black Panther
  6. ^ Flamini, Anthony & Byrd, Ronald; Civil War Battle Damage Report; March 2007; Page 1
  7. ^ a b c Civil War #2
  8. ^ New Avengers #22
  9. ^ a b Civil War #4
  10. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #535
  11. ^  Ed Brubaker (w),  Steve Epting (p,i). "The Death of Captain America" Captain America vol. 5,  #25 (March 2007)  Marvel
  12. ^ Civil War #7
  13. ^ a b  J. Michael Straczynski (w),  Joe Quesada (p,i). "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" Amazing Spider-Man  (September - December 2007)  Marvel Comics
  14. ^ forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=80636. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  15. ^ forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=92680. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  16. ^ www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2007-02-21. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  17. ^ a b c d www.newsarama.com - Mark Millar's Civil War Post-Game Show. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  18. ^ http://michaelnetzer.com/rEvolution/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=77
  19. ^ Freedom versus Security: The Basic Human Dilemma from 9/11 to Marvel’s Civil War. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.

[edit] External links

Newsarama Coverage

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 hit the stands.

Comic Book Resources Coverage