General Information
Title: Civil War #7
Author: Mark Millar
Illustrator(s): Steven McNiven on pencils, Morry Hollowell on colours, and inks by the team of Dexter Vines, John Dell and Tim Townsend
Original Publication Date: This issue first published on February 21, 2007.
Cover Price: $2.99 US, $3.75 Canadian
Past comic reviews can be found
here.
Premise
In this final chapter of the Civil War, the last battle is fought, and the outcome is determined.
High Point
"Amazing." "Spectacular."
Low Point
Reed's letter. That's just out of character. He's a highly analytical guy, but not to that degree. (I get the distinct impression that Millar's not a fan of scientists at all.)
The Scores
The originality of this issue is held entirely in Cap's speech. The rest of the issue is a great big fight, or the convergence of threads spread throughout the other crossover titles. I give it 3 out of 6.
The artwork is excellent. McNiven has taken point on a great team, and is doing a great job of pushing it forward. The action is dynamic, the story is carried through quickly, and the number of characters involved is not small. I give it 6 out of 6.
The story does what it needs to do. It wraps up the Civil War, sets several new threads in motion without a giant reset button, and (for once) ends a massive crossover in a way that will really and truly impact the Marvel universe for a long time to come. It also includes a pretty decent fight. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization is limited in scope by the number of characters involved. Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Reed Richards all have their moments, and I'm happy with two of the three. (I've never read Reed being written this way before, and thanks to GIT Corp's DVD ROM collections, I've read over half of all issues of Fantastic Four ever written.) I give it 4 out of 6.
The emotional response was good, despite the fact that I was spoiled about Captain America #25, which in turn spoils this title. Things are brought together in an ending that is satisfactory, logical, consistent with the first six issues of the series, and still maintains the inevitable method to keep every title Marvel publishes on the shelves. I give it 5 out of 6.
The flow is very good, moving things forward at a very rapid pace through the battle, and then slowing them down for the denouement. I give it 6 out of 6.
Overall, this is a satisfying conclusion to a massive event. The loose ends are tied, and a new status quo is in place, while still providing an ending that is consistent with the setup that doesn't involve a massive reset. (What came out of Secret Wars? Venom and She-Hulk in the FF. What came out of House of M? Fewer mutants, Wolverine's memory, and not a lot else. What came out of Civil War? I can think of five or six major changes that won't all be easily reset, but don't want to reveal too many spoilers.) I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Civil War #7 receives 34 out of 42.
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