Event Overview: Civil War (4)

Civil War #4
Writer: Mark Millar
Peniciller: Steve McNiven

Okay, okay, I get it. The stuff about "an even portrayal of both sides" was nothing but empty talk from Marvel. Finally it's crystal clear: The pro-regs are nothing but EVIL! I mean wtf: Cloning Thor? Seek the help from supervillians? Tony and Reed act like fucking Dr. Doom! Apart from that: pretty enjoyable issue...
RATING: C+

Wolverine #46: Vendetta Part 5
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Peniciller: Humberto Ramos

Perfect, just perfect. Wolverine tackles his next target: Damage Control. This company seems to be behind some of the events of "Civil War". Marc Guggenheim continues to deliver the best of all tie-ins. The scenes of Wolverine doing detective work and delivering carnage are pure win!
RATING: A

Amazing Spider-Man #535: The War At Home Part 4
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Peniciller: Ron Garney

Who are these people looking like Tony Stark and Reed Richards? These are not the heroes I used to know, but fascist idiots! And yes, I get it, Tony's super-prison is like Guantanamo. Is it possible to play out a metaphor more obviously? On the positive side: Peter Parker gets back to his normal self.
RATING: D

Civil War: Front Line #6
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Peniciller: Ramon Bachs, Steve Lieber, Lee Weeks, Jorge Lucas

The depiction of the wannabe-Guantanamo is so inconsistent with "AMS #535"! Instead of a high-tech-facility in Jenkins portrays it as some kind of fascist third-world-coop. Lazy... Surprisingly I didn't hate Speedball this time, but the reporters' party was way too decompressed. And the poem was an effrontry!
RATING: D

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #3
Writer: Zeb Wells
Peniciller: Stefano Caselli

After two crappy tie-ins, this one is a relief! Most of the issue is dedicated to one big action scene in which both teams get their asses handed by Marvel Boy - some of the protagonists get caught. In the natural progression of team-ups, they decide to bond and work together. Looking forward to the conclusion!
RATING: B

Captain America #22: The Drums Of War Part 1
Writer:Ed Brubaker
Peniciller: Mike Perkins

Brubaker - as usual - absoluty delivers! Finally somebody was able to tell a balanced story from the persperctive of the pro-regs, as Agent 13 gets all the spotlight in this issue. We get great scenes with Maria Hill, Dum Dum Dugan and Captain America. Great tie-in!
RATING: A

Fantastic Four #540: Some Word Can Never Be Taken Back
Writer:J. Michael Straczynski 
Peniciller: Mike McKone

What a piece of shit! Not only do the events in this issue contradict what happens in the main events, above all the dialogues are beyond cheesy. I'm really pissed at JMS that I had to sit through Reed's awful speech a second time after AMS #535. By far the worst tie-in!
RATING: E

Civil War: Front Line #7
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Peniciller: Ramon Bachs, Steve Lieber, Lee Weeks, Eduardo Baretto

This was a pleasent surprise. Finally the pieces come together. The reporters' stories get some cool twists, just as Speedball's and Wonderman's ones - though the poem sucked as usual. I especially liked how we got some insight into Speedy and understand that he is really heartbroken about the things that happened.
RATING: B 

Ms. Marvel #8: Battle Lines Part 3
Writer:Brian Reed
Peniciller: Roberto de la Torre

A fitting conclusion to a mediocre "Civil War" story. The big problem I had: There was nobody to root for. Carol, the main protagonist, was whiny and unlikeable. Her opponent Arachne wasn't better. I hated her, when she put her daughter into harm's way. Wonderman and Spider-Girl saved some points for this issue.
RATING: C-

Wolverine #47: Vendetta Part 6
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Peniciller: Humberto Ramos

At this point I ran out of positive things to say about this tie-in. Guggenheim doesn't dissapoint with the conclusion to this "Wolverine" run. The bad guy gets his punishment and we even get an ass-kicking guest appearance of The Sentry! I understand that there is one more issue: a kind of epilogue. Looking forward to it!
RATING: A

New Avengers #24: Disassembled Part 4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penicillers: Pasqual Ferry & Paul Smith

After his appearance in the last "Wolverine" issue I was intruiged, what Sentry's stand in the "Civil War" was. I think Bendis does a good job of explaining his views in this little visit to Attilan. The art is gorgeous to look at and the end does a great job of foreshadowing some major developments.
RATING: B-

Civil War: Choosing Sides

Writers: Marc Guggenheim, Robert Kirkman, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Mike Oeming, Ty Templeton, Jim McCann
Penicillers: Leinil Yu, Phil Hester, David Aja, Scott Kolins, Roger Langridge, Alex Chung

This anthology is a mixed bag. I liked the "Venom", "Immortal Iron Fist" and "Ant-Man" parts but didn't care much for the rest.
RATING: C

Captain America #23: The Drums Of War Part 2
Writer:Ed Brubaker
Peniciller: Mike Perkins

The focus shifts from Agent 13 to Bucky and Nick Fury, which results in some exciting stealth action and a very cool scene with Red Skull and Dr. Doom. Brubaker masterfully uses the backdrop of "Civil War" to continue his own saga. The fact that Captain America merely appears doesn't hurt the issue. 
RATING: A

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #4
Writer: Zeb Wells
Peniciller: Stefano Caselli

The mini wraps up with - you guessed it - tons of action. Most of the many heroes get a moment to shine and kick some ass. The warden gets what he deserves - though it is a little ridiculous, how somebody this evil could get in this position. But well, this IS a comic book.
RATING: B

Event Overview: Civil War (3)

Civil War #3

Writer: Mark Millar
Peniciller: Steve McNiven

For the first time the pro-regs seemed like the more reasonable bunch. It's Captain America's fault that things escalate to the first big battle of the "Civil War" - and an epic one it is. McNiven's art together with Holloway's brilliant colouring evoke cinetamtic images. And of course there is Thor, yay!
RATING: A

X-Factor #9: Trust Issues
Writer: Peter David
Peniciller: Dennis Calero

Again not so much of a "Civil War" tie-in, but a continuation of "Decimation" - although we learn with which faction of the conflict Jamie sides. There are some brilliant moments with Layla and Quicksilver and I loved the bantering between X-Factor and the Astonishing X-Men.
RATING: B+

New Avengers #22: Disassembled Part 2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Peniciller: Leinil Francis Yu

In this backstory issue we learn why Luke Cage allies with Captain America. Besides a cool fight between the "Secret Avengers" and a SHIELD unit the best moments of this story are the ones which deal with the relationship of Luke and his wife. Can't have too much of Jessica Jones! And compared to Chaykin, Yu's art is a big step up.
RATING: B

Wolverine #44: Vendetta Part 3
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Peniciller: Humberto Ramos

Basically we get one issue of Wolverine pounding the crap out of Nitro. To further complicate matters we learn the identy of another group which is after the bastard - a relevation I didn't see coming, but a cool connection to one of the "Front Line" stories. I'm hooked for the next issue.
RATING: B

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1
Writer: Zeb Wells
Peniciller: Stefano Caselli

I was very looking forward to this tie-in, as I'm a fan of both teams. So I was very pleased that Zeb Wells got a grip on both of them. The characterizations are top-notch - especially the Runaways dealing with Gert's death just feels right. The only thing, which bothers me, is the sexualized depiction of these young adults by Caselli.
RATING: B

Civil War: Front Line #4
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Peniciller: Ramon Bachs, Steve Lieber, Lee Weeks, Sean Chen

Finally, the reporters' stories pick up steam. We have seen quite a bit SHIELD raids in "Civil War", but so far they don't fail to impress. The best part of the whole issue was the cliffhanger ending with Ben and an unexpected villan, who seems very pissed! Speedball's part was ridiculous though.
RATING: C

Amazing Spider-Man #534: The War At Home Part 3
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Peniciller: Ron Garney

The anti-regs' raid of a prisoner transport ist well staged, the highlight being the awesome fight sequence between Spidey and Captain America. There are some minor glitches like none of the anti-regs has any visible injuries despite them having their asses handed in "Civil War #3". Oh, and Tony switched back to asshole-mode.
RATING: B-

Fantastic Four #539: Decisions Made
Writer:J. Michael Straczynski 
Peniciller: Mike McKone

JMS rehashes the events of "ASM #534" from another point-of-view. Now we find out how the reasons behind the chaos during the raid, which is a much more satisfying read. Also Ben has to choose a side and makes an unexpected decision. One of the best tie-in issues. 
RATING: B+

Ms. Marvel #6: Battle Lines Part 1
Writer:Brian Reed
Peniciller: Roberto de la Torre

There is nothing really wrong with this issue. I liked the portrayal of Carol, Wonder Man the other players, the art is competent enough, but nothing really clicks with me. The plot is very generic "Civil War" stuff we have seen a dozen times at this point. A hero struggles with his decisions and has to face off against some others...
RATING: C-

Civil War: Front Line #5
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Peniciller: Ramon Bachs, Steve Lieber, Lee Weeks, Roy Allan Martinez

The reporters' stories continue to get more interesting as the other plots fail to impress. I especially hate Speedball more and more with each issue, even though Jenkins wants the reader to root with him. What really drags the issue down is the "Sleeper Cell" story with its depiction of SHIELD agents as evil motherfuckers.
RATING: C

Wolverine #45: Vendetta Part 4
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Peniciller: Humberto Ramos

Unexpectedly this is my favorite of all the tie-ins. I became very fond of Guggenheim's style with the over-the-top action and the clever twists. Again I really didn't see them coming. And after just four issues I converted to being a fan of Ramos' art. The icing on the cake is the cool conspiracy plot. 
RATING: A

New Avengers #23: Disassembled Part 3
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Peniciller: Oliver Coipel

Another suprise hit! This issue is pure fun! Bendis culminates Jessica Drew's emotional appealing story, which he has spun in the pages of "Spider-Woman: Origin" and "New Avengers". Oliver Coipel once again amazes with his vibrant pencils in this adrenaline-filled spy story.
RATING: A

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #2
Writer: Zeb Wells
Peniciller: Stefano Caselli

I really like how Zeb Wells fathoms all possible conflicts between the two teams. A new player, No-Vahrr, is introducing. He seems to be an existing character, but I don't no anything about him. The only thing which bothers me is that all these young girls obviously underwent breast surgery when they were 14...
RATING: B-

Ms. Marvel #7: Battle Lines Part 2
Writer:Brian Reed
Peniciller: Roberto de la Torre

The scenes with Araña were cool but they were the only interesting pages of this issue. The chase of Arachne (as they said in the comic itself, there are to many spider-related characters...) is pretty dull.
RATING: D