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General InformationTitle: Civil War #1Author: Mark Millar Illustrator(s): Steve McNiven (pencils), Dexter Vines (inks), and Morry Hollowell (colours) Original Publication Date: May 3, 2006 Cover Price: $3.99US, $5.75Can for the double-sized issue. Past comic reviews can be found here. PremiseThe New Warriors do something really, really stupid for a reality TV show, and the fallout kills hundreds of children. This triggers the proposal of the Superhero Registration Act, which would basically require all superheroes to hand the government their secret identities and work for S.H.I.E.L.D. The heroes are divided on whether or not this idea is a good one. High Point"Keep flying, son -- and watch that potty mouth!" was my favourite moment on the first read. The second time through I noticed the coin in Daredevil's hand, and got hit by an idea that I really, really like. It's entirely speculation, but I'll spoiler-guard it, anyway, so you'll need to highlight to read it: Daredevil readers know that Matt is in jail, but some unknown individual is wearing his tights and doing his job well. This is the Daredevil that likely appears in Civil War. This Daredevil must also be convinced, or actually know, that Murdock is Daredevil, or he wouldn't have appeared as soon as Matt was imprisoned. Here's the thing that hit me on the second reading: rolling a quarter over his fingers is entirely out of character for Matt Murdock, but it's completely consistent with the character of Bullseye. I'll have to reread some of my Daredevil to figure out exactly where Bullseye is right now. Low PointThe thing that bothers me most isn't even a part of this series. The last time I read New Warriors, Night Trasher was in charge, and Speedball would turn off the goofiness when needed, though he had no control over the look of his "costume." I understand that this view of the team is consistent with their most recent appearances, but I still don't have to like it. It says a lot about the quality of the issue being reviewed that the one and only thing that bothers me about it was that it reminds me of bad writing decisions made years ago. If I could think of anything really wrong with this issue itself, I'd have had this review up Thursday morning. The ScoresOn the surface, the legislation isn't original. It's just one step past the Mutant Registration Act that was being discussed about 25 years ago in Uncanny X-Men. The set-up and reaction is distinct though. This isn't random paranoia; this is a response to an actual event, and some of the heroes think it's a good idea. This feels more like Millar's Ultimates than anything I've read in the regular Marvel Universe, with one significant difference: there's a truly intruiging idea behind the great big battles we know are coming. I give it 5 out of 6. The artwork is great. McNiven is really turning in some great work. We've got the emotion and the action both well displayed. I don't usually notice colouring in a comic, but this gives the same colour-filtered feel as Soderberg's Traffic, with distinct tones and impressions in different areas. The entire team is doing great work. I give it 6 out of 6. The story starts out with one heck of a bang, and keeps going. Characters are picking sides that are logical with their past portrayals, and their reactions to each other are as strained as we'd expect. People can criticize Marvel and DC for having cross-overs that bleed out into all of the other titles, but something like this would be hard to ignore in the other titles. This one is going to be big. I give it 5 out of 6. The characterization is what I love about most of this. Yes, there's some good action, but it's being propelled by the conversations and the characters. It bothers me to see what the New Warriors have been turned into, but that's hardly Millar's fault. His portrayal of the team is consistent with my understanding of their more recent appearances, so I can't really hold it against this comic. I give it 5 out of 6. The emotional response is great, with a few really powerful moments mixed in with some high tension undercurrents. I was concerned that this wouldn't deliver on what I'd mentally built it up to be, but it did. This is the best Marvel comic I've read since Supreme Power launched. I give it 6 out of 6. The flow is smooth in most cases. The only disruption to the flow was a jarring moment that works best when it's designed as a jarring moment. I give it 6 out of 6. Overall, this is a great comic. I'd be amazed if the rest of the series can deliver what this began. I give it 6 out of 6. In total, Civil War #1 receives 39 out of 42. Civil War Review Checklist
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