All right, let’s turn our attention to the Marvel Universe. Civil War is coming out next week and Amazing Spider-Man #531 leads right into Civil War #1. I am really excited about this upcoming Civil War. This could be something really special. Anyway, grab some fried platanos and check out this review.
Creative Team
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Tyler Kirkham
Inker: Sal Regla
Art Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Total Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: The issue starts with Titanium Man and Spider-Man in a massive brawl. We have Spider-Man reeling out some good one-liners during the encounter. The fight takes place around the Lincoln Memorial. A little Civil War imagery for your pleasure. During the fight, Spider-Man shows off several of his suit’s new gimmicks. Titanium Man rants about how Super Heroes in America are a dying breed and once they are gone America will be defenseless. That Spider-Man’s own government is going to hunt all of them down and eradicate them. Spider-Man gets the upper hand in the fight causing the Titanium Man to cut and run.
We then shift to Tony Stark back in front of the Senate panel. Tony shows the Senator footage of Titanium Man’s rant about America being defenseless without its Super-Heroes. Tony argues that this shows why the government should not lead to unilateral disarmament of their super-powered citizens. That is what America’s enemies want. The lead Senator says that the recording seems very convenient and questions its authenticity. Spider-Man then appears and says he can vouch for its authenticity. Spider-Man goes on to give a good monologue on why this legislation should not be passed. The Senator tells Spider-Man that he makes some interesting points, but to be on record he must remove his mask and swear his testimony under oath. Spider-man declines. The Senator then says this is exactly why they need this legislation because nobody is above the law. Spider-Man then leaves.
We cut to after the hearing is over. Tony meets Peter outside. Tony says that they did enough to probably delay and slow down the process. That they buy a year here and a year there and this proposed legislation will die under its own weight. Pete and Tony then have a discussion about Lincoln while they stand next to his memorial. More foreshadowing of the upcoming Civil War.
We then cut to the Titanium Man meeting with Iron Man. Iron Man gives the Titanium Man a briefcase full of unmarked bills and thanks him for his cooperation. (Wow! That sneaky Tony Stark!).
We then shift to Peter back at Avenger’s Tower. MJ is in the shower and Peter decides to fall asleep in front of the TV watching a baseball game. Peter is asleep when the baseball game is interrupted by breaking news that there has been a disaster in Stamford, Connecticut. At least 600 people have been killed. The person responsible for the devastation is Speedball. End of issue. Beginning of Civil War.
Comments
The Good: This was a solid issue and a good lead in to the upcoming Civil War next week. The big swerve was that Tony Stark had hired the Titanium Man to attack him in order to help bolster his case against the pending legislation. I love how sneaky and Machiavellian Marvel is making Tony Stark. This is great. Tony is a character that really needed a shot of personality.
Straczynski’s dialogue is always well done. He writes a great Peter Parker. The continued use of the Lincoln Memorial and the discussions about Lincoln were a bit heavy-handed, but it still worked well.
Not a lot really happened in this issue. But, the purpose of this issue was really just a set up for Civil War and to create some excitement and anticipation in the reader. I think this issue accomplished that objective.
The Bad: As I said, my only real complaint with the writing was concerning the amount of time and emphasis on the Lincoln Memorial and the discussions about Lincoln. A little more subtlety might have been more enjoyable and had more impact. Writers sometimes feel the need to hit the reader over the head with something to make sure that they got the reader’s attention and that the reader understood what the writer wanted to tell them.
As a single issue, this wasn’t a terribly exciting issue. But, what it was supposed to be was the calm before the storm. This was all pure setup.
I wasn’t all that impressed with the art. I think that the artwork was just weak. It is rather sketchy and lacks any detail. And the facial expressions are just terrible. Everyone looks like an animated cadaver. This title could really use an upgrade in the art department.