CBI Archive
Civil War #3 Review
- by Brian Cronin
- in Comic Reviews
Monday, July 21st, 2003 at 12:17 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
An interesting thing I’ve noticed is that, quite often, fans will defend to the death “Marvel history,” even though what they really mean is “Marvel history since I began to read Marvel.” This ties into this issue of Civil War because I have seen more than a few folks discussing which side of the Civil War that Thor would be on, and people make the argument that of COURSE Thor would be on Captain America’s side! However, this flies in the face of the first fifteen years or so of the Marvel Universe, where it was Iron Man and Thor that were the best of buddies. In fact, in the late 80s, Tom DeFalco wrote an issue of Thor where it took Captain America actually picking up the hammer of Thor for Thor to not automatically side with Iron Man in the disagreement that Iron Man and Cap were having at the time (over Iron Man’s actions during Armor Wars). That doesn’t mean that Thor would automatically side with Iron Man, of course, but based on Marvel history, Thor certainly is not automatically predisposed either way. Then again, that’s presuming that Mark Millar is paying attention to Marvel history, which is unlikely, but that’s a whole other thing.
Anyhow, that’s just something that bugged me, it really doesn’t have much of an impact on Civil War #3, which was yet another solid issue from this series. Steve McNiven is continuing his excellent artwork, although his work is at its best when Dexter Vines is inking him (Mark Morales and McNiven himself chip in, with mixed results). Morry Hollowell does a fine job on colors.
The issue follows the Pro-Registration crew making their rounds (including the Fifty-State Iniative, which seems to be having trained superheroes working in each state of the Union, similar to the X-Corporations from Morrison’s New X-Men), while we check in with the Anti-Registration crew, who have new secret identities, including a rather bizarre one for Daredevil, where his “disguise” is to basically look like Matt Murdock. What the heck?
I especially liked the agreement of Emma Frost to Tony that the X-Men won’t get involved. It was a nice scene, and it was good to see Emma give the “Where were you during Genosha?” speech sans hysteria (see the most recent New X-Men for the same scene, only hysterical).
Anyhow, there is a trap set by the Pro-Registration heroes that leads to an awesome fight, where McNiven REALLY shines. Such well-illustrated action (and by the by, while it’s nice to see Captain America even SLIGHTLY appear fallible, his “betrayal” of Iron Man in this issue really isn’t a betrayal at all). And a really cool cliffhanger.
The issue does continue the random odd things, like, for instance, it’s one thing if Captain America calls the agents who hunt down the rogue heroes “cape-killers,” but get this, that’s what they call themselves!!!!!!!!!!! What the heck?!!?
The Thunderbolts and Cable both don’t really fit in this issue with what’s going on in their own titles, but I guess Fabian Nicieza doesn’t have much input on what happens in this series.
Thing acted a bit condescending, out of nowhere, in this issue.
Also, asking the Black Panther to be part of a US Government Iniative? Who the heck thought THAT was going to work?
So yeah, as a single issue, this was good. Although, I have to say, it’s remarkable to me how much this issue essentially just goes along with the idea that this issue has been settled. No one argues for or against their position in this issue, except for some catty comments from both sides. I found that strange.
Anyhow, great art and a good story? I would recommend this issue.
13 Comments
T.
July 24, 2006 at 4:48 am
One thing that didn’t make sense to me in this issue is that it’s been made abundantly clear in other books that the Daredevil running around with Captain America during Civil War is not Matt Murdock. Matt is in jail, and in Deadpool/Cable it is made clear that the Daredevil impostor seen in the monthly Daredevil comic is the one hanging with Cap. But in this issue of Civil War we see the new Daredevil out of costume looking just like Matt Murdock. Strange.
Jordan D. White
July 24, 2006 at 6:53 am
It’s a disguise. Whoever is being the new Daredevil ISN’T Matt Murdock, so while, in a comic book, he looks just like Matt, to a person in that world, he presumably wouldn’t. He would have a different face. And would not be blind, which I assume would be a pretty big difference.
It’s like that John Byrne gag from that look back at the Marvel Yeatr in Reviews for a week or two ago. I am sure we’re not actually supposed to think that Steve Rogers, Hank Pym, Clint Barton, etc. look exactly alike, but that’s how Byrne draws them.
DrObviousSo
July 24, 2006 at 8:12 am
see the most recent New X-Men
I’m pretty sure giving out that advice is considered a crime against humanity. Good writeup through.
Two things about the Daredevil stand in that’s been bothering me. 1: He’s got his eye’s covered in the DD costume, but he can see with regular glasses in his civies. 2: If its not really Daredevil, it must be another superhero, so why does he need another secret identity? Must be a hero who isn’t actively heroing right now. Is it too early for Clint to be back?
Marshall Maresca
July 24, 2006 at 8:40 am
“He’s got his eye’s covered in the DD costume, but he can see with regular glasses in his civies.”
I remember a 90s era “What If” where someone else became Daredevil, and he had a special mask that covered his eyes and mimicked the effect of Daredevil’s other senses for him. Maybe it’s the same deal here.
“see the most recent New X-Men for the same scene, only hysterical”
Of course, the New X-Men one was supposed to come afterwards. Plus Tony came to Emma mostly all business, and Carol came with a, “Since I’m your friend” attitude. So I understand why Emma decided to kick it up a notch that time.
Dan Coyle
July 24, 2006 at 9:55 am
As much as I hate to admit it, this is the Tony Stark I know. He’s behaving really unfairly here, but that’s just who he is.
And the Knaufs are actually setting this up in “Execute Program”.
Fortress Keeper
July 24, 2006 at 12:43 pm
“However, this flies in the face of the first fifteen years or so of the Marvel Universe, where it was Iron Man and Thor that were the best of buddies. In fact, in the late 80s, Tom DeFalco wrote an issue of Thor where it took Captain America actually picking up the hammer of Thor for Thor to not automatically side with Iron Man in the disagreement that Iron Man and Cap were having at the time (over Iron Man’s actions during Armor Wars).”
I remember Thor and Iron Man being good buddies too, sort of like Superman & Batman pre-Crisis. (Marvel’s Finest?)However, I considered that Armor Wars scene a turning point in that relationship, especially when you consider the fact that Iron Man started acting like a full-time jerk pretty much after that point.
So, I really don’t think Thor would just side with Iron Man. (Or anyone for that matter, now that I think about it. He’d probably think he was above such things and continue safeguarding all of Earth.)
Still, this may not exactly be the same Thor we’re used to. And, as you say, this assumes that Millar and Marvel in general are paying attention to continuity at all.
Jack
July 24, 2006 at 1:30 pm
I have no problem with the Thor/Iron Man and Thor/Cap relationships as dealt with thus far (we still don’t know what Thor’s agenda in this whole thing is anyway) but I had one big BIG problem with this issue.
Spider-Man attacks Captain America. It looks like he punches him in the face (either that or he caught the shield on the prior page and hits him with that–I’m not sure). Peter unmasking, fine. But hitting Captain America??? No effing way. If anything he’d web him up and apologize the whole time. Otherwise, I’m still digging the hell out of this series. And where is Invisible Woman??!!
gabesummers
July 24, 2006 at 6:07 pm
thor would rool with captin a.
what ever happend in the past…charecters grow…for example at one time henry pym was a wife beater..hes not now…sooo in the past his pimp hand was strong..but now its not.thor at one time was closer to tony..gotcha..but today now?
hes al aobut captin america… see the kang issues by buseik (sp??) things are hitting the fan but what makes thor snap?? captin america getting assimilated.cap goes down and thor snaps.
also even before that..the public was misstrusting of the avengers…thor was so mad that the public even questioned its “heroes” he not only left but threw his hammer at a camerea man..he didnt return if i rember right untio kang showed up.thors whole thing was how dare the public not trust them after they have sacrifcied again an again.
then we have the time thor went to save his followers..him and iron man go head to toe..tony even gets an enchanted armor to batle him.
add all these up and thor would never join iron mans side.period.
1.hes all about cap..why? because cap is noble ..good ..a soldier of the highest degree..thor would follow cap into hades if he asked.think about this ..thor is a god..yet he will take orders from cap a man..a mortal..think about that…cap is just a guy and yet thor dosent just listen to him…he beleives in him.
2.if the public didnt trust the avengers and thor snapped…what do you think thor would do if the world doubted them? hed till them to go jump ina troll lake.to thor hes blessing the world with his prencese..how dare them mortal doubt the will of thor!!
3.he dont like tony no more…caps his favorite.
period.
the only thing i can think of is this:
1.thos just made an entrance and shot lightijng because as he came on to the scene all he saw was friends fighting friends…blast then and let thor sort them out.
2.its thor but some one is thor (ala donald blake) but this new thor person isnt the old thor person..he looks like thor just like donald and that other guy (from jr jr.s run) was his name jake? both thor but diffrent thors.
Jeff
July 26, 2006 at 3:11 am
T said:
One thing that didn’t make sense to me in this issue is that it’s been made abundantly clear in other books that the Daredevil running around with Captain America during Civil War is not Matt Murdock. Matt is in jail, and in Deadpool/Cable it is made clear that the Daredevil impostor seen in the monthly Daredevil comic is the one hanging with Cap. But in this issue of Civil War we see the new Daredevil out of costume looking just like Matt Murdock. Strange.
I bet it’s twin brother Mike Murdock. Either that, or Deadpool/Cable got it wrong, and DD will catch up to the current timeline by joining up with Cap (what else is he going to do? Register and go back to jail?).
One of the two. But I’m hoping for Mike Murdock.
Carlos
July 28, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I think it’s pretty obvious that this Thor isn’t Donald Blake, as it is made clear by SHIELD’s chief when she says “codename lightning has first pass”. She´s obviuosly referring to Thor, and since when has Thor been a SHIELD agent? He’d never accept leadership from a government agent. Ergo, he is not Donald Blake
Suda
July 30, 2006 at 2:16 pm
The question is not who is playing Dare Devil, but rather why Iron Fist is doing it. Oops, did that slip out?
will
July 30, 2006 at 5:25 pm
iron fist is playin daredevil so, matt murdock can get out of jail for bein dare devil. get it, he wants the world to think that matt aint dd..
mike
October 6, 2006 at 4:20 pm
hey u should have captain marvel make an owsume return