Comic Book series parallels many modern issues
Patrick Greene
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Voices
Over this past Christmas Break, my girlfriend gave me several issues from the Civil War comic book series released by Marvel Comics over the course of 2006 and 2007. While there is plenty depth of plot and good guys fighting villains, the Civil War series goes deeper than that and provides substantial social commentary that leaves the reader with some significant questions.
To make a long story very short, several hundred American citizens are killed as the result of a fight between two rival teams of superheroes. Swiftly reacting to public opinion, a registration act is passed that requires all superheroes to register with the government in order for them to be carefully monitored and trained for missions to benefit the public good. This causes a rift in the superhero community, with one faction led by Iron Man supporting the new law and another led by Captain America opposing them.
The two sides have several epic battles between each other and other significant events take place as well. Spider-Man initially favors the Act and even unmasks himself in public to show his support. The Fantastic Four is deeply divided; Mr. Fantastic works with the government to enforce the act while The Thing leaves the country for France. Superheroes find it increasingly difficult to remain neutral in the middle of what truly is a civil war.
The Civil War series poses one important question above all else: How can a society properly maintain freedom, order, and equality? The Civil War series points out that choosing one over the other doesn't necessarily solve all the answers. Indeed, in an America where we have the First Amendment, the Patriot Act, and Al-Qaeda all present at the same time, the Civil War series is an especially relevant work for our times.
To make a long story very short, several hundred American citizens are killed as the result of a fight between two rival teams of superheroes. Swiftly reacting to public opinion, a registration act is passed that requires all superheroes to register with the government in order for them to be carefully monitored and trained for missions to benefit the public good. This causes a rift in the superhero community, with one faction led by Iron Man supporting the new law and another led by Captain America opposing them.
The two sides have several epic battles between each other and other significant events take place as well. Spider-Man initially favors the Act and even unmasks himself in public to show his support. The Fantastic Four is deeply divided; Mr. Fantastic works with the government to enforce the act while The Thing leaves the country for France. Superheroes find it increasingly difficult to remain neutral in the middle of what truly is a civil war.
The Civil War series poses one important question above all else: How can a society properly maintain freedom, order, and equality? The Civil War series points out that choosing one over the other doesn't necessarily solve all the answers. Indeed, in an America where we have the First Amendment, the Patriot Act, and Al-Qaeda all present at the same time, the Civil War series is an especially relevant work for our times.
Article last update: 1/29/08 at 11:37 PM CST
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