Stephanie Kay
Oct 13, 2007, 10:06 pm
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0806/ASM535_col.jpg"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0806/ASM535_colt.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="Amazing Spider-Man #535"></a> Reviewer: Chris Nuttall, Christopher_g_nuttall@spamproofhotmail.com
Story Title: The War At Home: Part 4
“It would be a terrible thing to be here for the rest of one’s life…”
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Ron Garney
Inkers: Bill Reinhold
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Michael O’Conner
Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (www.marvel.com)
Iron Man, oddly enough, hasn’t been on my list of favourite heroes for a long time, if ever. My first introduction to the character came through The Trial of Galactus hardback, which I read years ago, and then I read The Armour Wars, which actually covered some of the same material as Civil War. Tony Stark might have his moments, but I never really liked him…until The Armour Wars. At that point, Tony was human in a way that Batman was not; he blamed himself for what his creations had been used to do…and attempted to set it right. His methods…slipped towards the ‘end justifies the means.’ Despite what some people have claimed, I do not feel that Tony is acting out of character in Civil War; it is merely a development of his past character development.
For those of you wondering WTF I’m talking about – this being a review of Spider-Man, rather than Iron Man – don’t worry. There is a point to all this. Spider-Man was shaping up to be one of the most important characters in the whole Civil War series; his own series actually was the first time I bought them in comic form. I have always had a soft spot for Peter Parker; in many ways, Peter has always been human to me. He was the stereotypical nerd, with a secret identity…and one of the characters who evolved as he ‘grew’ older. In recent issues, Peter has chosen to unmask himself at Tony’s behest – much to Jonah J’s horror. After the shocking events of Civil War #4, however, Peter has actually started to question…and he won’t like what he finds out…
Jonah, writing in the Daily Bugle special, points out that people have biases. There is more justification for the pro-SRA side than the anti-SRA side…but the pro-SRA side has been portrayed, steadily, as total b******s. They have made questionable decisions…and Peter, poor loyal Peter, has gone along with them, until now. Tony, in fact, appears to have manipulated Peter right down the line. How can Captain America and the others on his team lose? They have Marvel on their side!
But enough whinging. In many ways, this was the most affecting of ‘The War at Home’ story arc. (Although I have a suspicion that Marvel buggered up the timing of the issues; the battle in the previous issue might have taken place after Civil War #4) Peter, for once, questions Tony about what happens to the prisoners captured after the fateful battle – and discovers the truth. The prison in the N-Zone is truly a horrific place…and Peter reacts badly. The debate between the pair…and then the discussion between Reed Richards and Peter…shows the true horror of the situation that even the results of Civil War #4 couldn’t match. Peter’s decision, of course, was showcased by Marvel…and the entire issue ends on a cliffhanger…
The artwork remains up to the usual high standard of the entire series; Peter’s changes from naive youth towards learning the real ways of the world are superbly detailed. The same goes for Tony as he darkens too…or are we seeing him as Peter sees him? His appearance in the prelude to this series is light and friendly; as the War at Home progresses, he grows darker…more fascistic. His armour, too, has become less and less friendly as the war goes on. The contrast between Peter and Tony as they come closer than ever before to exchanging blows is chilling. Perhaps MJ and Aunt May, neither of whom see the changes in Tony, remain the same; that too is brilliant.
The background is much more impressive than before, as well; the prison and the prisoners are very well detailed. The final moments of the comic are very neat indeed, with that final little punch right at the end.
Overall, Marvel might have hyped this particular event…but what the hell – it’s still well worth a read.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
Story Title: The War At Home: Part 4
“It would be a terrible thing to be here for the rest of one’s life…”
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Ron Garney
Inkers: Bill Reinhold
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Michael O’Conner
Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (www.marvel.com)
Iron Man, oddly enough, hasn’t been on my list of favourite heroes for a long time, if ever. My first introduction to the character came through The Trial of Galactus hardback, which I read years ago, and then I read The Armour Wars, which actually covered some of the same material as Civil War. Tony Stark might have his moments, but I never really liked him…until The Armour Wars. At that point, Tony was human in a way that Batman was not; he blamed himself for what his creations had been used to do…and attempted to set it right. His methods…slipped towards the ‘end justifies the means.’ Despite what some people have claimed, I do not feel that Tony is acting out of character in Civil War; it is merely a development of his past character development.
For those of you wondering WTF I’m talking about – this being a review of Spider-Man, rather than Iron Man – don’t worry. There is a point to all this. Spider-Man was shaping up to be one of the most important characters in the whole Civil War series; his own series actually was the first time I bought them in comic form. I have always had a soft spot for Peter Parker; in many ways, Peter has always been human to me. He was the stereotypical nerd, with a secret identity…and one of the characters who evolved as he ‘grew’ older. In recent issues, Peter has chosen to unmask himself at Tony’s behest – much to Jonah J’s horror. After the shocking events of Civil War #4, however, Peter has actually started to question…and he won’t like what he finds out…
Jonah, writing in the Daily Bugle special, points out that people have biases. There is more justification for the pro-SRA side than the anti-SRA side…but the pro-SRA side has been portrayed, steadily, as total b******s. They have made questionable decisions…and Peter, poor loyal Peter, has gone along with them, until now. Tony, in fact, appears to have manipulated Peter right down the line. How can Captain America and the others on his team lose? They have Marvel on their side!
But enough whinging. In many ways, this was the most affecting of ‘The War at Home’ story arc. (Although I have a suspicion that Marvel buggered up the timing of the issues; the battle in the previous issue might have taken place after Civil War #4) Peter, for once, questions Tony about what happens to the prisoners captured after the fateful battle – and discovers the truth. The prison in the N-Zone is truly a horrific place…and Peter reacts badly. The debate between the pair…and then the discussion between Reed Richards and Peter…shows the true horror of the situation that even the results of Civil War #4 couldn’t match. Peter’s decision, of course, was showcased by Marvel…and the entire issue ends on a cliffhanger…
The artwork remains up to the usual high standard of the entire series; Peter’s changes from naive youth towards learning the real ways of the world are superbly detailed. The same goes for Tony as he darkens too…or are we seeing him as Peter sees him? His appearance in the prelude to this series is light and friendly; as the War at Home progresses, he grows darker…more fascistic. His armour, too, has become less and less friendly as the war goes on. The contrast between Peter and Tony as they come closer than ever before to exchanging blows is chilling. Perhaps MJ and Aunt May, neither of whom see the changes in Tony, remain the same; that too is brilliant.
The background is much more impressive than before, as well; the prison and the prisoners are very well detailed. The final moments of the comic are very neat indeed, with that final little punch right at the end.
Overall, Marvel might have hyped this particular event…but what the hell – it’s still well worth a read.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg