General Information
Title: Civil War: War Crimes
Author: Frank Tieri
Illustrator(s): Staz Johnson (pencils), Tom Palmer and Robin Tiggs (inkers), and Avalon's Ian Hannin (colours)
Original Publication Date: This issue is cover dated February, 2007
Cover Price: $3.99 US, $4.75 Can
Past comic reviews can be found
here.
Premise
Wilson Fisk offers Iron Man a deal to help bring an end to the Civil War.
High Point
Keeping the tone this dark while still maintaining the publication standards that allow anyone to buy the issue. Much is implied rather than stated.
Low Point
The inconsistency in the pencils. Johnson still needs some work on perspectives.
The Scores
This is an original set up for the crossovers. The entire issue is devoted to the criminal underworld's reaction to the Civil War, as told through the actions of Hammerhead and Kingpin. The story being told is really a character piece on the Kingpin himself. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork has strong and weak moments, which is irritating. When the art is working, it works really well, but two panels later there could be a distracting shift in a character's facial proportions. The two inkers are not quite as distracting, as they seem to have taken entire pages each and establish some distance between their respective panels. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story is well written, with a couple of twists I didn't see coming. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization is also well done, primarily with Fisk, but also when Tony Stark is involved. This is all about the way they feed off each other, and the way the Kingpin manipulates others to do his bidding. I give it 6 out of 6.
The emotional response is quite good. It's very much in the noir style, and it tells an interesting story that should have lasting implications on the Marvel underworld. (SPOILER: one of the two deaths here is of a character that actually appears from time to time. END SPOILER) I give it 5 out of 6.
The panel construction is conducive to a nice flow in the story, but sadly, the inconsistent pencils tend to disrupt that. I give it 4 out of 6.
Overall, it's a good issue, and one that I'm glad appeared through all of these Civil War crossovers. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Civil War: War Crimes receives 34 out of 42.
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