Marvel Civil War: Front Line reviewed
The Marvel Civil War: Front Line series is an 11 issue mini-series that ties in to the Marvel Civil War event. What makes this series unique is that it's focus is not so much on the lycra clad superheroes, but more on two of the journalists dedicated to covering the story. For much of the story the two are split down the middle, Ben Urich follows the story from Iron Man's pro-registration side, while Sally Floyd reports on the story from Captain America's anti-registration side of the coin.
As the two continue to investigate the story, they begin to uncover what seems to be a conspiracy that runs all the way to the very top of the food chain. One of the things that I liked most about this two volume series was how it revealed pieces of information, only hinted at in the major Civil War story. It approached the whole thing from different points of view. In many respects the Civil War story mirrors the current political landscape in the United States, and world in general.
The other major component of the Civil War: Front Line story arc is the story of Speedball, the only survivor of the incident that kick started the whole Civil War in the first place. Speedball was a member of the New Warriors, happy go lucky type of character. To me he was a watered down version of Spider-Man, except with different powers. As the reader follows Speedball in the Front Line story, we get to see the evolution of his character, by watching what happens to someone after they've made one single mistake, or the wrong split second decision. One split second can change a life, or end many lives, and as the reader follows Speedball in prison we also see him struggle with his own guilt. He has lost his powers as well as his innocence.
Having been re-born in prison, Speedball learns that his powers never left him, he can still access them, but only when he feels pain. By the end of Front Line, Speedball is dead, replaced by Penance. Penance looks like a bad ass, ready to pay for his sins, and prepared to make others pay for their own as well. I'm sure a lot of people would hate the transformation, but I don't. The writers took a run of the mill hero and made him more interesting. I, for one, would like to read more about this guy.
Civil War: Front Line was an awesome read, and I found it far better than the main Civil War story. Read Civil War, then read Civil War: Front Line. Highly recommended.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Tweet This!