What do you think?
Rate this book
The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #16
The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War
Life couldn't be more complicated - or more dangerous - for Peter Parker. After rushing to the aftermath of the Stamford Massacre to offer aid to its victims, Peter travels with Tony Stark to Washington, D.C., and the White House - where the enactment of the Super Hero Registration Act appears imminent. As the Marvel Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of super heroes, Peter is forced to make an important personal decision - maybe the most important decision of his life. As Civil War tears apart the super hero community, will Spidey stay true to that decision?
COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man #532-538.
COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man #532-538.
168 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2007
162 people are currently reading
3002 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Straczynski
1,378 books1,285 followersJoseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
May 25, 2016
The Marvel universe has given us the most iconic superheroes out there, in my humble opinion (sorry DC fans). The Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, Iron Man, the X-men, and Daredevil are just a few who fit into that category. However, I doubt that anyone can argue with the fact that at the head of the pack is every one's favorite wall-crawler. There is a reason for that. He's the best.
Anyone who is a fan of Peter Parker (not talking about the fans of just the movies here) needs to be sure to read this one. Civil war: the Amazing Spider-man, shows both sides of the fence in probably one of the best story lines in recent Marvel history (again, in my opinion). It shows how quickly the black and white lines of right and wrong blur into grey. And what do you do when your heart tells you you're on the wrong side of those lines?
Great art, even better story. Don't miss this one!
September 23, 2016
During the Civil War event Spider-Man was ruthlessly manipulated by someone into deciding to reveal his secret identity as Peter Parker with devastating consequences. Am I talking about Tony Stark or the writers and editors of Marvel? Because it’s questionable as to who screwed poor Spidey over more by the end of it all.
In a way the entire Civil War was a fight for the soul of Spider-Man with him caught between two men he greatly respects. Tony had been his friend and boss right before things went sideways, and he’d been warning Peter for some time about how increasing public sentiment against super powered people was turning into a real political problem. Captain America is the guy that almost every Marvel superhero admires and looks to for guidance when things get rough, and Spidey is no exception so it was inevitable that he’d start questioning what Tony was doing when Cap stood against him.
One of the things I did like about Civil War is the way it pointed out that a billionaire like Tony Stark didn’t get rich by just letting things happen, he makes things happen. Tony shows a kind of ruthless brilliance in politics and public relations as part of his support of the Superhero Registration Act. Nowhere was that more apparent than in the way that he used Spidey here to further his own cause. Even though Tony obviously likes Peter Parker a great deal he doesn’t hesitate to switch from the carrot to a pretty damn big stick to convince Peter that he needs to publically tell people he’s Spider-Man.
That stuff all plays out pretty well, and I have to admit that I was very excited back in the day about the idea that Peter Parker revealed he was Spider-Man. He’d been doing the whole secret identity thing for about 40 years at that point, and I thought it was a really bold and interesting way to do something new and different with Peter dealing with the world knowing who he really was. Plus, I didn’t think there was any way that Marvel would be able to walk that one back without a giant retcon to their entire universe. Which just goes to show you that you should never underestimate the lengths a major comic publisher will go to in order to get a character back to what they consider a baseline status.
So that’s my biggest disappointment with this whole event. Despite being an interesting conflict between Iron Man, Cap, and Spider-Man that opened up potential new story avenues to explore, all that was instantly jettisoned in order to not just revert things back to normal but to also wipe out about 20 years worth of Spidey continuity in the process. Like most crossovers it didn’t offer real change but only the illusion of change, and that’s the real pity about the Spider-Man story angle in Civil War.
In a way the entire Civil War was a fight for the soul of Spider-Man with him caught between two men he greatly respects. Tony had been his friend and boss right before things went sideways, and he’d been warning Peter for some time about how increasing public sentiment against super powered people was turning into a real political problem. Captain America is the guy that almost every Marvel superhero admires and looks to for guidance when things get rough, and Spidey is no exception so it was inevitable that he’d start questioning what Tony was doing when Cap stood against him.
One of the things I did like about Civil War is the way it pointed out that a billionaire like Tony Stark didn’t get rich by just letting things happen, he makes things happen. Tony shows a kind of ruthless brilliance in politics and public relations as part of his support of the Superhero Registration Act. Nowhere was that more apparent than in the way that he used Spidey here to further his own cause. Even though Tony obviously likes Peter Parker a great deal he doesn’t hesitate to switch from the carrot to a pretty damn big stick to convince Peter that he needs to publically tell people he’s Spider-Man.
That stuff all plays out pretty well, and I have to admit that I was very excited back in the day about the idea that Peter Parker revealed he was Spider-Man. He’d been doing the whole secret identity thing for about 40 years at that point, and I thought it was a really bold and interesting way to do something new and different with Peter dealing with the world knowing who he really was. Plus, I didn’t think there was any way that Marvel would be able to walk that one back without a giant retcon to their entire universe. Which just goes to show you that you should never underestimate the lengths a major comic publisher will go to in order to get a character back to what they consider a baseline status.
So that’s my biggest disappointment with this whole event. Despite being an interesting conflict between Iron Man, Cap, and Spider-Man that opened up potential new story avenues to explore, all that was instantly jettisoned in order to not just revert things back to normal but to also wipe out about 20 years worth of Spidey continuity in the process. Like most crossovers it didn’t offer real change but only the illusion of change, and that’s the real pity about the Spider-Man story angle in Civil War.
June 28, 2016
Peter Parker es, sino la persona más afectada por los eventos de Civil war, si una de las más grandes victimas. Su vida, su trabajo, sus amistades y sus convicciones se ven fuertemente afectadas...básicamente su mundo se fue al car***.
Si nos ponemos a hablar de que historias están directamente relacionadas con Civil War es Amazing Spiderman, el es uno de los ejes principales en este evento y demuestra el porque de sus acciones, como toma sus decisiones y una bella relación con las dos mujeres de su vida (Tía May eres la ley, lo mejor, fantástica y cualquier otra cosa relacionada que se me ocurra).
Algo que me encanto fue la manera en que se va desarrollando su personalidad, porque a pesar de que Peter Parker es un personaje que ya conocemos sí no has leído mucho de él, aquí lo conocerás (y sí, la mítica frase del Tío Ben esta incluida).
En ningún momento se siente como que la historia tenga huecos o que este fuera de lugar, ni siquiera cuando la transpolas con el resto de las líneas y personajes. Así que, es una buena lectura, muy interesante y divertida.
Si nos ponemos a hablar de que historias están directamente relacionadas con Civil War es Amazing Spiderman, el es uno de los ejes principales en este evento y demuestra el porque de sus acciones, como toma sus decisiones y una bella relación con las dos mujeres de su vida (Tía May eres la ley, lo mejor, fantástica y cualquier otra cosa relacionada que se me ocurra).
Algo que me encanto fue la manera en que se va desarrollando su personalidad, porque a pesar de que Peter Parker es un personaje que ya conocemos sí no has leído mucho de él, aquí lo conocerás (y sí, la mítica frase del Tío Ben esta incluida).
En ningún momento se siente como que la historia tenga huecos o que este fuera de lugar, ni siquiera cuando la transpolas con el resto de las líneas y personajes. Así que, es una buena lectura, muy interesante y divertida.
December 19, 2020
WHAT AN EPIC READ! Spider-Man must work with Tony to capture the unregistered superheroes and he has a fight with Cap and its a battle of ideals and then he sees what Tony and Reed have planned and its trapping the "betrayers" into the Negative Zone and it goes against his ethics and morals and so its time for him to team up with Cap and he does and its an emotional fight with his mentor..his brother. Iron Man vs Spidey and its epic, meanwhile he has to escape and fight in the final battle but the cost is too high. Spider-Man when he returns to his home pays a big price...Ah this was so good! Personal costs of being a superhero, ethics vs morality vs law, friends vs friends...it makes you question so many things and like shines such a Great light on Peter and how he will always do the right thing in the end and the art is just fantastic, kinetic and almost life like!
August 1, 2015
A good book. My first Civil War (which I loved) tie-in. Wasn't quite as impartial as the original book in the Iron Man vs Cap fight but a solid story.
April 4, 2021
El segundo cruce que leo del evento de Civil War, quitando los que ya leí hace años como dije en la anterior reseña, y nos encontramos por ahora con una de las mejores también. Al fin al cabo, Spiderman es uno de los superhéroes más importante de la editorial y J. Michael Straczynski no es tonto. Ha sabido aunar una historia que te deja en vilo, aprovechando los huecos argumentales del evento principal y aportando detalles extras y más miga a ciertas situaciones.
También mencionar que hay algún que otro fallito argumental respecto al evento en sí, y alguna sacada de pinza como cuando Tony le dice a Peter que lo de meter a los héroes en la Zona Negativa será algo temporal en el evento de Mark Millar pero aquí deja Tony bastante claro que estarán ahí para siempre hasta que no firmen el Acta y se registren, cosas así. Que si las pasas por encima tampoco pasa nada, pero bueno, ahí está.
El arte de Ron Garney es muy bueno, un artista que pese a que no se ve tanto como debería en Marvel, ahí está, dando el nivel. Ya sea en las secuencias de acción como en los diálogos, que serán muchos, entre Peter y su familia, intentando convencerse a sí mismo que lo que hace es lo correcto y verle caer en el más profundo pozo. Por algo Peter Parker es el que más sufrió con este evento. Antes de este evento, Peter tenía su sueño cumplido, una familia segura, un hogar seguro, un trabajo, todo parecía ir como habría soñado hace años cuando era un adolescente con problemas monetarios. Pero al final de esta historia Peter será un “delincuente” huido de la Justicia, una persona publica, odiado y amado por igual, y en una situación donde su familia puede acabar de las peor maneras a manos de sus archienemigos al darse publica su identidad secreta.
Una buena historia, ni más ni menos. Con sus pequeños toques de humor, pero sin duda donde contemplamos la caída a los infiernos de Spiderman, y nos adentramos en una de sus etapas más oscuras y más polémicas, el Mefistazo… tiemblo en lo que me voy a encontrar, por ahora la cosa va bien. Esperemos que siga así.
También mencionar que hay algún que otro fallito argumental respecto al evento en sí, y alguna sacada de pinza como cuando Tony le dice a Peter que lo de meter a los héroes en la Zona Negativa será algo temporal en el evento de Mark Millar pero aquí deja Tony bastante claro que estarán ahí para siempre hasta que no firmen el Acta y se registren, cosas así. Que si las pasas por encima tampoco pasa nada, pero bueno, ahí está.
El arte de Ron Garney es muy bueno, un artista que pese a que no se ve tanto como debería en Marvel, ahí está, dando el nivel. Ya sea en las secuencias de acción como en los diálogos, que serán muchos, entre Peter y su familia, intentando convencerse a sí mismo que lo que hace es lo correcto y verle caer en el más profundo pozo. Por algo Peter Parker es el que más sufrió con este evento. Antes de este evento, Peter tenía su sueño cumplido, una familia segura, un hogar seguro, un trabajo, todo parecía ir como habría soñado hace años cuando era un adolescente con problemas monetarios. Pero al final de esta historia Peter será un “delincuente” huido de la Justicia, una persona publica, odiado y amado por igual, y en una situación donde su familia puede acabar de las peor maneras a manos de sus archienemigos al darse publica su identidad secreta.
Una buena historia, ni más ni menos. Con sus pequeños toques de humor, pero sin duda donde contemplamos la caída a los infiernos de Spiderman, y nos adentramos en una de sus etapas más oscuras y más polémicas, el Mefistazo… tiemblo en lo que me voy a encontrar, por ahora la cosa va bien. Esperemos que siga así.
April 13, 2012
Of all the characters Marvel Comics have in their stable, Spider-Man epitomized the quintessential Marvel superhero. He’s neither the strongest nor the smartest, but he has feet of clay that always crumbled beneath him. Most of it was his own doing, since he’s never been known to make the smartest choices. That was what made him relatable to readers, because it made him human.
In Civil War, he made a lot of decision that he soon regret, betraying Captain America and Iron Man and revealing his civilian identity. As a result, he lost the people that came to define him through the years. This being comics, that was soon erased in Brand New Day, but J.M. Stracyznski made the best out of the opportunity to tell new stories that were markedly different from his past continuity.
This collection collected the issues that tied in to Civil War and was one of the best stories that weren’t done in the main title. It fleshed out Spider-Man’s involvement and chronicled the consequences that arose from his participation in that affair. It’s an exception to my personal rule that the essential tie in stories were those done by the writer of the main miniseries. It made the event meaningful by affecting the character in its own ongoing series and it supporting cast that is of course until the next relaunch.
In Civil War, he made a lot of decision that he soon regret, betraying Captain America and Iron Man and revealing his civilian identity. As a result, he lost the people that came to define him through the years. This being comics, that was soon erased in Brand New Day, but J.M. Stracyznski made the best out of the opportunity to tell new stories that were markedly different from his past continuity.
This collection collected the issues that tied in to Civil War and was one of the best stories that weren’t done in the main title. It fleshed out Spider-Man’s involvement and chronicled the consequences that arose from his participation in that affair. It’s an exception to my personal rule that the essential tie in stories were those done by the writer of the main miniseries. It made the event meaningful by affecting the character in its own ongoing series and it supporting cast that is of course until the next relaunch.
November 2, 2023
Civil War spans dozens of titles but one of the biggest pieces is Spider-Man's story.
You won't get the full story without reading the main event of Civil War, and that's the worst part about this book. However, everything else is pretty damn good. Peter's struggle to do what's right, to do good by friends, while also protect his family leads to some great moments and triumphs for the character while also feeling down to earth for the audience to relate to. Lots of cool action moments mixed with heartfelt speeches make this one of the stronger parts of the Civil War event.
You won't get the full story without reading the main event of Civil War, and that's the worst part about this book. However, everything else is pretty damn good. Peter's struggle to do what's right, to do good by friends, while also protect his family leads to some great moments and triumphs for the character while also feeling down to earth for the audience to relate to. Lots of cool action moments mixed with heartfelt speeches make this one of the stronger parts of the Civil War event.
June 16, 2023
Powerful stuff.
January 5, 2013
I'm reading this again years after the event (and The Civil War Event). I'd seen Spidey pop up in the main CW series with that new costume and strangely conformist attitude and I was dying to figure out what the hell. But somehow never did go back to the archives and see how this fit into the overall context of the Spidey-verse (guess the library just didn't stock Spider-man like they did the rest of the titles).
I used to think JMS was a god among writers. He may still be, elsewhere, but here he's just...verbose. And not apprised of a Spidey-level sense of humour. Worse, the maudlin melodramatic shit that MJ and Aunt May sling at Pater as he decides whether to unmask - when I read this the first time, many years ago, I thought it was heartfelt and real. Now it comes off as so artificial, juvenile and idealised that I can't hardly keep dinner down.
The subsequent speechifying between Peter and Tony or Peter and Reed is...like an essay I wrote in high school. I think these point/counterpoint things would've worked better... Well, maybe there's no way to present them (TV talking heads, emails on screen, essays printed at beginning or end of issue) that would've worked well. I guess they had to be said - to make CW have more gravitas - but they sure grind the momentum to a screeching halt.
Somehow though, when Peter is monologuing - first to the Senate, and then on TV, it doesn't seem quite so bad. It's still slow and verbose, but at least they feel heartfelt - and that at least feels like Peter Parker.
I also gotta say I was sorry the new costume didn't stick around - felt more like a MacGuffin than an actual contribution to the story.
Not a big fan of the art - faces look weird, and the scenes are rather plain. It would be awesome to bring in someone else to tart the panels up
I used to think JMS was a god among writers. He may still be, elsewhere, but here he's just...verbose. And not apprised of a Spidey-level sense of humour. Worse, the maudlin melodramatic shit that MJ and Aunt May sling at Pater as he decides whether to unmask - when I read this the first time, many years ago, I thought it was heartfelt and real. Now it comes off as so artificial, juvenile and idealised that I can't hardly keep dinner down.
The subsequent speechifying between Peter and Tony or Peter and Reed is...like an essay I wrote in high school. I think these point/counterpoint things would've worked better... Well, maybe there's no way to present them (TV talking heads, emails on screen, essays printed at beginning or end of issue) that would've worked well. I guess they had to be said - to make CW have more gravitas - but they sure grind the momentum to a screeching halt.
Somehow though, when Peter is monologuing - first to the Senate, and then on TV, it doesn't seem quite so bad. It's still slow and verbose, but at least they feel heartfelt - and that at least feels like Peter Parker.
I also gotta say I was sorry the new costume didn't stick around - felt more like a MacGuffin than an actual contribution to the story.
Not a big fan of the art - faces look weird, and the scenes are rather plain. It would be awesome to bring in someone else to tart the panels up
March 24, 2025
The core story is really good! (Not so much the part about Kingpin putting a hit on Peter and/or his family. While it's something Kingpin would do, that plot thread led to some bad plot developments later.)
Excellent characterisation and good dialogue. This reminds me why Peter Parker/Spider-Man was my first favourite Marvel superhero when I was growing up. Peter is so wonderfully sarcastic, but he's also honest and earnest; he is a truly good person. The exploration of the ethical dilemma is thoughtful. The conflict between Peter and Tony Stark/Iron Man is compelling. Peter's interactions with Steve Rogers/Captain America are great. Among other things, Cap quotes more extensively the brilliant Mark Twain passage--about doing what you know is right whether other people agree or not--which is spoken in abbreviated form by Sharon Carter in the Captain America: Civil War movie.
Peter's reaction to the prison sums up the crux of the problem and why I side with Cap:
Tony: But we have no choice. We have to follow the law.
Peter: Following the law means these people get a trial before you send them away to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives! You can't just lock people away--
Tony: Yes, we can, and we have. And that's the end of it.
The art is gorgeous for the most part, too. My usual complaint about the young women being too 'pin-uppy' applies here, as usual. I know--those aren't intended for people like me. At least the guys are very nicely drawn here, especially Peter.
Excellent characterisation and good dialogue. This reminds me why Peter Parker/Spider-Man was my first favourite Marvel superhero when I was growing up. Peter is so wonderfully sarcastic, but he's also honest and earnest; he is a truly good person. The exploration of the ethical dilemma is thoughtful. The conflict between Peter and Tony Stark/Iron Man is compelling. Peter's interactions with Steve Rogers/Captain America are great. Among other things, Cap quotes more extensively the brilliant Mark Twain passage--about doing what you know is right whether other people agree or not--which is spoken in abbreviated form by Sharon Carter in the Captain America: Civil War movie.
Peter's reaction to the prison sums up the crux of the problem and why I side with Cap:
Tony: But we have no choice. We have to follow the law.
Peter: Following the law means these people get a trial before you send them away to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives! You can't just lock people away--
Tony: Yes, we can, and we have. And that's the end of it.
The art is gorgeous for the most part, too. My usual complaint about the young women being too 'pin-uppy' applies here, as usual. I know--those aren't intended for people like me. At least the guys are very nicely drawn here, especially Peter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2021
Mind-blowing! The best character on the civil war without any hesitation!
His arc here shows us the conflict and the two sides clearly, the small grey line between right and wrong and how do you decide which side will you take, what's wrong and what's right, we see here peter as peter and as spidey trying to understand and take the right choice as great as he always is, he struggles alot with taking a choice.
He took alot of hard choices that will lead to a very unexpected and hard consequences and a very triggering ending with a great cliffhanger.
His arc here shows us the conflict and the two sides clearly, the small grey line between right and wrong and how do you decide which side will you take, what's wrong and what's right, we see here peter as peter and as spidey trying to understand and take the right choice as great as he always is, he struggles alot with taking a choice.
He took alot of hard choices that will lead to a very unexpected and hard consequences and a very triggering ending with a great cliffhanger.
January 25, 2020
Estoy impresionado con lo superior que es este tie in al arco principal. Creo que tiene un poco para todos, desde los lectores casuales, hasta los que buscan un mini comentario político acertado.
May 14, 2014
Definitely one of the best titles from the Civil War event.
Peter Parker, usually the Marvel superhero that is responsible for breaking the tension in serious situations with inappropriate jokes and insults, turns inward and self-reflective as he comes to terms with the worst decision he has ever made. This volume, which elaborates on a couple of the most pivotal plot points of Civil War, gets pretty serious for a Spidey-comic as Peter is forced to question a lot of "truths" and relationships that he has come to depend upon.
As always the writers of this story rely a little too heavily on the "With great power comes great responsibility" schtick.... But this time around it seems to have a little more weight an meaning to it. Peter seems to grow up a lot in this story, or at least he seems to shed some innocence. You get a sense that there is truly a lot at stake in this war and through Peter's eyes, we see the stakes are more human than superhuman.
Great stuff. A must-read.
4.5/5
Peter Parker, usually the Marvel superhero that is responsible for breaking the tension in serious situations with inappropriate jokes and insults, turns inward and self-reflective as he comes to terms with the worst decision he has ever made. This volume, which elaborates on a couple of the most pivotal plot points of Civil War, gets pretty serious for a Spidey-comic as Peter is forced to question a lot of "truths" and relationships that he has come to depend upon.
As always the writers of this story rely a little too heavily on the "With great power comes great responsibility" schtick.... But this time around it seems to have a little more weight an meaning to it. Peter seems to grow up a lot in this story, or at least he seems to shed some innocence. You get a sense that there is truly a lot at stake in this war and through Peter's eyes, we see the stakes are more human than superhuman.
Great stuff. A must-read.
4.5/5
January 16, 2025
Civil War (532-538). This should have been the most long-reaching and important arc that JMS wrote for Spider-Man, not the silliness with Morlun and totemic animals. It lays out several magnificent turning points in Peter's life. Oh, perhaps the unmasking never could have been maintained, but the break with Tony, the break with the Avengers, and the shooting that ends the arc, those are all life-changing moments.
This arc also demonstrated how Civil War could have been done right. JMS goes deep into the good and bad, and actually allows Peter's thoughts to evolve with time, making this the deepest and most emotional of all the crossovers.
Overall, a brilliant Spider-Man arc, so of course Marvel was less than a year from erasing it all. FFS. [5/5].
This arc also demonstrated how Civil War could have been done right. JMS goes deep into the good and bad, and actually allows Peter's thoughts to evolve with time, making this the deepest and most emotional of all the crossovers.
Overall, a brilliant Spider-Man arc, so of course Marvel was less than a year from erasing it all. FFS. [5/5].
July 19, 2017
This is an excellent side-trip for Spidey fans and essential reading for everyone reading up on "Civil War", with excellent art to back up the trademark Straczynski writing. My personal favourite scene was Spidey's talk with Captain America. So good.
August 1, 2016
BRUTAL. La complejidad del conflicto se ve perfectamente reflejada. La evolución del personaje es genial, así como la reflexión que suscita acerca de la ley y los principios.
January 20, 2023
Spider-Man öykülerini büyük çıkmaza sürükleyen, debelendikçe daha da batmasına sebep olan hikaye Civil War'ın Spider-Man ayağı diyebiliriz bu kitap için.
İlk bölümlerde Peter kendisine yaptığı iyilikler için Tony'e söz veriyor. Kendisinin bizzat sağ kolu oluyor. Tabi yaklaşan iç savaş işleri karıştırıyor. Kendisini bir anda yasa ile ahlaki değerleri arasında sıkışmış bulan Peter hayatındaki en zorlu kararı veriyor ve maskesini kameralar önünde çıkartıyor.
Bu kısımda şöyle bir sıkıntı var diye düşünüyorum. Polislerle, yasalarla her dönem karşı karşıya gelmiş bu kahramanı yasaların yıldırabileceği fikri bana pek güçlü gelmiyor. Hele ki gizli kimliğini açıklama fikri kendi için tabu haline gelmiş bu kahraman için yeterli baskı unsuru yok bence. Tabi bu dediğim Civil War hikayesinin kabahati. Bu kitap ona paralel yazılmış sadece.
Kitaptaki hikayeye dönecek olursak Peter kayıt olmayanlarla savaşmaya başlıyor çünkü Iron Man emrivaki yapıyor. Hayranı olduğu Captain America ile karşı karşıya geldiğindeki dövüş çok güzeldi. İkisinin de aslında birbirine karşı saygı ve inanç duyduğunu görüyoruz. Kendisi kadar saf kuvvete sahip olmayan Captain ile dövüşürken onun gücünün nereden geldiğini idrak etmesi güzeldi.
Tony'nin insanlık dışı yöntemlerini sorguladıkça ikilinin arası açılıyor. Keşke Goliath'ın ölümü de bahsedilseymiş çünkü Peter ve birçokları için kırılma anı oydu. Artık bu yöntemlere katlanamayan Peter ile Iron Man kavga ediyor. Bu kavgayı göstermemeleri yazık olmuş. Civil War sayfalarında yer alan bu kritik kavgayı biraz daha detaylı görmeyi bekliyordum. Onun yerine zaman atlaması gördük. En azından tünelde kaçarken ağır yaralanmasına ve Punisher'ın kurtarmasına dair bir şeyler olsaydı. İşte böylece Civil War eksik işleniyor genel olarak. Belirli yerlerini alıp belirli yerlerini dışarıda bırakmışlar fakat dışarıda bırakılan birçok yerde de Spider-Man önemli rol oynuyor.
Son bölümde Peter'ın korktuğu başına geliyor. Kaldıkları motelde suikast girişimi yaşanıyor ve Peter'ı hedef alan keskin nişancı May'i vuruyor. Tam da iç savaş bitmiş ve her yerde kaos varken daha büyük bir talihsizlik yaşanamazdı Peter için. Hem kanun kaçağı oldu hem de yengesi için vicdan azabı çekiyor. İlk paragrafta belirttiğim gibi artık örümceğin öyküleri çıkmaza giriyor. Tüm hayatı mahvolmuş, yengesi vurulmuş halde. Marvel'ın yeterince cesur davranmayacağını ve bazı dengeleri korumak için yaptıklarını hiç edeceğini bildiğimden bu sayfaları okumak canımı sıkmaktan ileri gidemedi.
İlk bölümlerde Peter kendisine yaptığı iyilikler için Tony'e söz veriyor. Kendisinin bizzat sağ kolu oluyor. Tabi yaklaşan iç savaş işleri karıştırıyor. Kendisini bir anda yasa ile ahlaki değerleri arasında sıkışmış bulan Peter hayatındaki en zorlu kararı veriyor ve maskesini kameralar önünde çıkartıyor.
Bu kısımda şöyle bir sıkıntı var diye düşünüyorum. Polislerle, yasalarla her dönem karşı karşıya gelmiş bu kahramanı yasaların yıldırabileceği fikri bana pek güçlü gelmiyor. Hele ki gizli kimliğini açıklama fikri kendi için tabu haline gelmiş bu kahraman için yeterli baskı unsuru yok bence. Tabi bu dediğim Civil War hikayesinin kabahati. Bu kitap ona paralel yazılmış sadece.
Kitaptaki hikayeye dönecek olursak Peter kayıt olmayanlarla savaşmaya başlıyor çünkü Iron Man emrivaki yapıyor. Hayranı olduğu Captain America ile karşı karşıya geldiğindeki dövüş çok güzeldi. İkisinin de aslında birbirine karşı saygı ve inanç duyduğunu görüyoruz. Kendisi kadar saf kuvvete sahip olmayan Captain ile dövüşürken onun gücünün nereden geldiğini idrak etmesi güzeldi.
Tony'nin insanlık dışı yöntemlerini sorguladıkça ikilinin arası açılıyor. Keşke Goliath'ın ölümü de bahsedilseymiş çünkü Peter ve birçokları için kırılma anı oydu. Artık bu yöntemlere katlanamayan Peter ile Iron Man kavga ediyor. Bu kavgayı göstermemeleri yazık olmuş. Civil War sayfalarında yer alan bu kritik kavgayı biraz daha detaylı görmeyi bekliyordum. Onun yerine zaman atlaması gördük. En azından tünelde kaçarken ağır yaralanmasına ve Punisher'ın kurtarmasına dair bir şeyler olsaydı. İşte böylece Civil War eksik işleniyor genel olarak. Belirli yerlerini alıp belirli yerlerini dışarıda bırakmışlar fakat dışarıda bırakılan birçok yerde de Spider-Man önemli rol oynuyor.
Son bölümde Peter'ın korktuğu başına geliyor. Kaldıkları motelde suikast girişimi yaşanıyor ve Peter'ı hedef alan keskin nişancı May'i vuruyor. Tam da iç savaş bitmiş ve her yerde kaos varken daha büyük bir talihsizlik yaşanamazdı Peter için. Hem kanun kaçağı oldu hem de yengesi için vicdan azabı çekiyor. İlk paragrafta belirttiğim gibi artık örümceğin öyküleri çıkmaza giriyor. Tüm hayatı mahvolmuş, yengesi vurulmuş halde. Marvel'ın yeterince cesur davranmayacağını ve bazı dengeleri korumak için yaptıklarını hiç edeceğini bildiğimden bu sayfaları okumak canımı sıkmaktan ileri gidemedi.
November 29, 2024
(Read circa 2009, review from 2024)
I read this one around the time I read the main Civil War series. This one's pretty great as far as standalone titles set during major comic event storylines go.Most of the main Civil War action takes place there but its fun seeing Peter's perspective of the big moments (i.e., publically revealing his identity). Has plenty of great moments like Captain America's famous "No You Move" speech and Aunt May taking down the Chameleon when he tries to impersonate Peter to assassinate her. The volume does go on a bit longer than it needs to and it starts laying the groundwork for the much reviled "One More Day" storyline. But admittedly the bonus issues of seeing the ensemble of Spider-Man villains and Peter Parker's family, friends, students, exes, etc. reacting to the reveal is interesting and has some intriguing interactions. Makes it all worth reading,
I read this one around the time I read the main Civil War series. This one's pretty great as far as standalone titles set during major comic event storylines go.Most of the main Civil War action takes place there but its fun seeing Peter's perspective of the big moments (i.e., publically revealing his identity). Has plenty of great moments like Captain America's famous "No You Move" speech and Aunt May taking down the Chameleon when he tries to impersonate Peter to assassinate her. The volume does go on a bit longer than it needs to and it starts laying the groundwork for the much reviled "One More Day" storyline. But admittedly the bonus issues of seeing the ensemble of Spider-Man villains and Peter Parker's family, friends, students, exes, etc. reacting to the reveal is interesting and has some intriguing interactions. Makes it all worth reading,
April 6, 2018
Very good art. Pretty good writing, by comic book standards. It was annoying that several parts of the story are left out, with footnotes telling you to find the missing pieces in other comics. I liked the wide cast of characters; many Marvel superheroes (and some supervillains) make appearances. The story deals with weighty ethical matters of law and civil obedience, and the tradeoffs involved in security and privacy.
I haven't read the comics leading up to this, so it's hard to judge it out of context. Now I want to go back and read some of the comics that led up to Civil War.
I haven't read the comics leading up to this, so it's hard to judge it out of context. Now I want to go back and read some of the comics that led up to Civil War.
April 24, 2018
He sacado este tebeo hoy en un impulso. Me ha sorprendido gratamente.
El apartado gráfico me ha parecido muy bueno.
El guión en sí lo he disfrutado mucho. Creo que la evolución de Peter Parker está muy bien planteada, muy bien argumentada y tiene mucho sentido. Me ha enganchado bastante, tanto que lo he leído de una sentada aunque normalmente suelo leerlos a lo largo de dos días.
Eso sí, el final me ha dejado con unas ganas tremendas del siguiente número. Y creo que no está en la biblioteca. Además, para perdidos en el mundo del tebeo, como yo, dentro del mismo te dice que tebeos enlazan con que parte y que te recomiendan leer en según que punto.
El apartado gráfico me ha parecido muy bueno.
El guión en sí lo he disfrutado mucho. Creo que la evolución de Peter Parker está muy bien planteada, muy bien argumentada y tiene mucho sentido. Me ha enganchado bastante, tanto que lo he leído de una sentada aunque normalmente suelo leerlos a lo largo de dos días.
Eso sí, el final me ha dejado con unas ganas tremendas del siguiente número. Y creo que no está en la biblioteca. Además, para perdidos en el mundo del tebeo, como yo, dentro del mismo te dice que tebeos enlazan con que parte y que te recomiendan leer en según que punto.
March 15, 2020
The central scene that the entire comic event sets up, and is worth an entire “comic event” to set up.
Captain America: “I remember the first time I really understood what it was to be an American. What it was to be a patriot. I was just a kid...I was reading Mark Twain and he wrote something that struck me right down to many core. Something so powerful that it changed my life. I memorized it so I could repeat it across the years. He wrote, ‘In a republic, who is ‘the country?’ Is the government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn’t. It’s function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is ‘the country?’ Is it the newspaper Is it the Pulpit? Why these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command they have only their little share in the command. In a monarchy the king and this family are the country. In a republic, it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself, and on his own responsibility, must speak. It is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn’t. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head, you have nothing to be ashamed of.’
Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob hand the press and the whole world tell you to move, you job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of Truth, and tell the whole world. ‘No, you move.”
Spider-Man: “Can I like carry your books to school? For the rest of my life?”
Captain America: “I remember the first time I really understood what it was to be an American. What it was to be a patriot. I was just a kid...I was reading Mark Twain and he wrote something that struck me right down to many core. Something so powerful that it changed my life. I memorized it so I could repeat it across the years. He wrote, ‘In a republic, who is ‘the country?’ Is the government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn’t. It’s function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is ‘the country?’ Is it the newspaper Is it the Pulpit? Why these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command they have only their little share in the command. In a monarchy the king and this family are the country. In a republic, it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself, and on his own responsibility, must speak. It is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn’t. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head, you have nothing to be ashamed of.’
Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob hand the press and the whole world tell you to move, you job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of Truth, and tell the whole world. ‘No, you move.”
Spider-Man: “Can I like carry your books to school? For the rest of my life?”
April 2, 2018
3,5 Sympa sympa. Donc en fait Amazing Spider-Man et Spectacular Spider-Man, c'est pareil : c'était très sympa de retrouver Spider-Man dont ça faisait un moment que je n'avais pas lu de comics ; le point de vue était intéressant, toute la merdasse qui lui tombe dessus ; mais j'ai un peu de mal avec sa relation avec May et Mary Jane, je ne saurais pas dire pourquoi.
February 4, 2018
Really great extension to the Marvel Civil War. Highly recommend reading Road to Civil War and Civil War before reading this. Ending will tear you down though, be warned.
May 23, 2023
This was truly one of the best marvel comics I read in a while.
April 11, 2024
I'm not okay...
July 28, 2017
Woah!!! Talk about incredible. You really get to see the heart of what makes Spider-Man Spider-Man in this collection.
October 6, 2013
OK I definitely bought into this. I felt it came across genuinely and heartfelt, earnest, much like Peter Parker himself. Starting off with him working alongside Tony Stark, and having him pulled along not quite unwillingly, but definitely without the full story of what's going on. Tony comes across the worst here, as someone who looks down on Peter, treats him like a child, and pretty much tells him what he should think and do if he wants to be just like Iron Man...I didn't care for the part where Peter says he's been just like a father...
Eventually, as things heat up, Peter is forced (or as close to forced as can be done without a gun to his head) to reveal the one thing he's kept secret as long as he could...
After that, Tony condescendingly manipulates him even further, and leads him and other Pro-Registration forces into battle against Cap and his Anti-Registration rebels. This leads to a fight between the two, and even as enemies, the respect and admiration for Cap shines through.
Eventually, Peter comes to realize that maybe what Tony (and Reed Richards, Hank Pym and others) is up to is not quite what Peter had in mind when he signed up...he's forced to make a decision about where he stands.
In the aftermath, things change and he finds himself completely unsure of himself, other than the support of MJ and Aunt May. The words of one figure tell him what he needed to know, even though he'd already decided for himself. Inserting the words of Mark Twain on the subject of country is a great idea, and really lends gravitas to what's going on.
The end of the book makes us think things are going to work out for Spidey, one way or the other, when the unthinkable happens as a result of a major choice Peter makes in the opening pages.
This was one of the best Civil War books I've read, along with the actual Civil War itself. Spidey is so involved in the storyline, getting pulled on both sides, I feel this is the most accurate portrayal of what the honest Peter Parker would actually feel.
Well done all around, though I didn't care for the art jumping around as much as it did, it's still terrific.
I really enjoyed this, because *SPOILER ALERT*
having someone major from the Marvel Universe change his mind on which side he was on is perfect, especially because he doesn't do it for silly reasons; he agonizes over the decision, before he feels he can live with what he's chosen. So much happens here, Spidey will never be the same.
Eventually, as things heat up, Peter is forced (or as close to forced as can be done without a gun to his head) to reveal the one thing he's kept secret as long as he could...
After that, Tony condescendingly manipulates him even further, and leads him and other Pro-Registration forces into battle against Cap and his Anti-Registration rebels. This leads to a fight between the two, and even as enemies, the respect and admiration for Cap shines through.
Eventually, Peter comes to realize that maybe what Tony (and Reed Richards, Hank Pym and others) is up to is not quite what Peter had in mind when he signed up...he's forced to make a decision about where he stands.
In the aftermath, things change and he finds himself completely unsure of himself, other than the support of MJ and Aunt May. The words of one figure tell him what he needed to know, even though he'd already decided for himself. Inserting the words of Mark Twain on the subject of country is a great idea, and really lends gravitas to what's going on.
The end of the book makes us think things are going to work out for Spidey, one way or the other, when the unthinkable happens as a result of a major choice Peter makes in the opening pages.
This was one of the best Civil War books I've read, along with the actual Civil War itself. Spidey is so involved in the storyline, getting pulled on both sides, I feel this is the most accurate portrayal of what the honest Peter Parker would actually feel.
Well done all around, though I didn't care for the art jumping around as much as it did, it's still terrific.
I really enjoyed this, because *SPOILER ALERT*
having someone major from the Marvel Universe change his mind on which side he was on is perfect, especially because he doesn't do it for silly reasons; he agonizes over the decision, before he feels he can live with what he's chosen. So much happens here, Spidey will never be the same.
September 3, 2013
"Life couldn’t be more complicated – or more dangerous – for Peter Parker. After rushing to the aftermath of the Stamford Massacre to offer aid to its victims, Peter travels with Tony Stark to Washington, D.C., and the White House – where the enactment of the Super Human Registration Act appears imminent. As the Marvel Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of super heroes, Peter is forced to make an important personal decision – maybe the most important decision of his life. As Civil War tears apart the super hero community, will Spidey stay true to that decision?"
I think I can say that this is the best Civil War crossovers. It ties deeply into the main series, plus it ends on a serious cliffhanger setting the stage for Spider-Man: Back in Black. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for another perspective to Marvel's mega event.
I think I can say that this is the best Civil War crossovers. It ties deeply into the main series, plus it ends on a serious cliffhanger setting the stage for Spider-Man: Back in Black. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for another perspective to Marvel's mega event.
July 27, 2021
4.5 stars
"This isn't a matter of right or wrong, moral or immoral. It's legal vs illegal. At least, that's what I tell myself in the middle of the night, when I wonder what the hell I'm doing here."
This volume did a really, really good job of looking at the two sides of Civil War from a third perspective. It asks the question of whether following the law is always the right thing and Peter's thoughts and struggles were really relatable and understandable.
Despite being a Spiderman title, this gave great insight to Tony's point of view aswell. He believes what he's doing is right, which makes him come across as cold hearted, but we know that deep down, he cares. Still, even as a die-hard Tony fan, I can't agree with the things he did.
I loved Peter's development, his beginning understanding of what's happening, his process of switching sides. During all that deep and political stuff he still stayed true to himself, he's joking but also being serious at the respective right times, and he cares deeply for his loved ones, they're always his priority. I really enjoyed this volume, and the art was good too. Only the set up for the follow-up in the final issue didn't do much for me because I don't know stuff about Spiderman and his antagonists.
So all in all a great tie-in, would definitely recommended reading this if you want to look more into the Civil War event!
"This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences."
- Captain America
"This isn't a matter of right or wrong, moral or immoral. It's legal vs illegal. At least, that's what I tell myself in the middle of the night, when I wonder what the hell I'm doing here."
This volume did a really, really good job of looking at the two sides of Civil War from a third perspective. It asks the question of whether following the law is always the right thing and Peter's thoughts and struggles were really relatable and understandable.
Despite being a Spiderman title, this gave great insight to Tony's point of view aswell. He believes what he's doing is right, which makes him come across as cold hearted, but we know that deep down, he cares. Still, even as a die-hard Tony fan, I can't agree with the things he did.
I loved Peter's development, his beginning understanding of what's happening, his process of switching sides. During all that deep and political stuff he still stayed true to himself, he's joking but also being serious at the respective right times, and he cares deeply for his loved ones, they're always his priority. I really enjoyed this volume, and the art was good too. Only the set up for the follow-up in the final issue didn't do much for me because I don't know stuff about Spiderman and his antagonists.
So all in all a great tie-in, would definitely recommended reading this if you want to look more into the Civil War event!
"This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences."
- Captain America
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews