I never intended to be reading so many comics but I've fallen behind schedule and need to play catch up a bit. Also, Holy Crap there are some really amazing stories happening in comics right now!!!
Today I have to combine 6 graphic novels into one post (counting as 2 books)because they kind of all lead into each other. Up first: Civil War - Iron Man, Civil War - Captain America, and The Death of Captain America: Vol. 1. For those you aren't familiar with the Marvel Civil War, I will give you the shortest explanation I can. It starts when a group of young, untrained superheroes start a fight with some powerful super villains in a highly populated area. Things go all the last 30 minutes of The Man of Steel and the next thing we know, half of Stamford, CT has been obliterated, including an elementary school. This event triggers the passing of the Superhuman Registration Act, essentially forcing all superheroes to reveal their secret identities to the government and sign up for formal training. Iron Man and Captain America are on opposite side of the issue, tempers flair, and soon all the heroes are fighting each other. This event was covered in over a dozen books and is a high point of storytelling in the Marvel Universe.
In the 2 Civil War books included here, we get the best scene in the whole saga. A simple one on one conversation between Captain American and Iron Man. Both men make very compelling arguments for their side. Tony Stark is a recovering alcoholic who understands that having heroes trained and held accountable can prevent disaster. Steve Rogers knows that the government can be compromised and that having a database of heroes secret identities can lead to super villains knowing where to find and how to hurt or kill costumed heroes and the ones they love. The great thing about Marvel is their ability to mix the fantastic with the personal. The issues raised in these stories are directly correlated to many of the big questions we face in our own lives. What do we do about gun control? Where is the line between safety and the violation of individual liberty?
The Civil War ends when Captain America surrenders in order to prevent further blood shed. He is then assassinated on his way into a federal courthouse. Thus begins an amazing spy story that is as thought provoking as it is thrilling. The story revolves around Nick Fury, no longer in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Sharon Carter, the niece of Peggy Carter and Cap. America's current girlfriend; and Bucky Barnes, Cap's lifelong friend and the former Winter Soldier. The plot winds and twists with revelations and double crosses as the United States reacts to it's favorite hero dying while charged with treason. While our heroes investigate, a third political party is formed and America's security is placed increasingly in the hands of private security firms. The story continues in Vol. 2 & 3, and has a pretty spectacular ending. I hesitate to say anymore because you really should read this for yourself.
Finally, we have Captain America - The Man With No Face. In the wake of Steve Rogers death, Bucky Barnes is chosen to be the new Captain America. The problem is, he spent most of his life as a brainwashed Russian Assassin known as the Winter Soldier. He is haunted by the memories of his past and isn't sure that he is the man deserving to wear the shield. With the help of Black Widow (she kinda knows how he feels after all), he begins to find himself and learns to fit into his knew role. In the meantime, he has to defeat an enemy from his past who knows that he used to be the Winter Soldier.
Overall, this is some truly spectacular storytelling. If you like spies, broken down people, and some pretty great action sequences, you owe it to yourself to check this out.
10/10
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