TITLE: Civil War II Issue #5
YEAR: October 2016
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: David Marquez
Art Artist: Sean Izaakse
Color Artist: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: VC;s Clayton Cowles
Designer: Victor Ochoa
Assistant Editor: Alanna Smith
Editors: Tom Brevoort with Wil Moss
Editor-in-Chief: Axel Alonso
Ahh…my first variant cover that I purchased in over 20-years and not because I wanted to but because the normal cover version was sold out. “Civil War II” issue #5 features a cover by Marko Djurdjevic and let’s get on with the review.
I remember reading an issue from the “Ms. Marvel” about an Inhuman named Ulysses that had a special gift of predicting the future and I know that Ms. Marvel has utilized this Inhuman to act on his visions before any harm could be done. And in the process, the heroes ambush Thanos, She-Hulk is left in a coma, Jim Rhodes (War Machine) was killed in battle and it has put Tony Stark against Ms. Marvel.
And now, it’s pitting heroes against each other, some who believe Ms. Marvel is doing the right thing, others who agree with Tony that he is right.
And with issue #3, featuring Hawkeye killing Bruce Banner this has divided a group of superheroes behind Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) who believe using Inhuman Ulysses to prevent a crime/murder happening by arresting/detaining the individual before the incident takes place. While a group of superheroes behind Tony Stark (Iron Man) feel that it’s not right.
And with either side not backing down, Ms. Marvel contacts her friends to join in on the fight, the Guardians of the Galaxy.
It’s superheroes vs. superheroes as Iron Man takes on Ms. Marvel, Dr. Strange vs. Storm, Luke Cage vs. Blue Marvel, Magik vs. Sam Wilson, Miles Morales Spider-Man vs. Venom and just when you think Ms. Marvel’s team is about to lose, Rocket Racoon and the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive for the assist.
But when the Inhumans arrive with Ulysses, he sees Ms. Marvel and Iron Man fighting and immediately his powers kick in to show everyone on the battlefield another prediction of a bloodied Miles Morales Spiderman with an impaled and very much dead Captain America.
And of course, you know what’s going to happen and how Ms. Marvel is going to react to this prediction. She wants Miles Morales Spider-Man to be arrested.
First things first, the artwork. David Marquez’ artwork is magnificent. It’s one of the reasons why I have been picking up “Civil War II” back issues because it’s wonderfully done. And of course, Brian Michael Bendis has handled the storyline quite well from what I have read so far.
I have no qualms about this series as Marvel Superheroes vs. Marvel Superheroes was no doubt a great way to build hype, make money and in good hands, making the limited series to be exciting, captivating and much easily to take in than say, Marvel Comics current limited series, “Secret Empire”.
But having enjoyed this issue and it looks like I’ll need to read more “Civil War II”.