Civil War: Choosing Sides
By Al Kratina
January 2, 2007 - 19:08
Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Marc Guggenheim, Robert Kirkman, Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction,
Penciller(s): Leinil Yu, Phil Hester (pencils only , Conscientious
Inker(s): Andy Parks
Like the universe, Marvel's Civil War keeps expanding and expanding. Also like the universe, it’s got a huge black hole in the center, which is sucking up all of my money. Writer Mark Millar's brainchild is so engrossing, timely, and most importantly, well-written, that I keep picking up all the related secondary and tertiary titles, regardless of their subject matter. Like any good comics event, these books add additional dimensions and depth to the story, but are not necessary to the enjoyment of the main Civil War miniseries . And Civil War: Choosing Sides is the very definition of unnecessary. A collection of Civil War related prequels and spin-offs of existing or upcoming series, the book reads more like a collection of print ads than a short story collection, like I just paid to watch 2 hours of trailers instead of a feature film. That's not to say that the stories aren't entertaining, or even that they aren't good. On the contrary, they're all above average reads; it's just that they feel incomplete, and therefore inconsequential. Still, it's an enjoyable comic, though a disposable one, and it seems to be made purely for commercial reasons, rather than artistic ones, feeling more like a product than it should.
The first story in the issue, written by Marc Guggenheim with art by Leinil Yu, gives us the background to Venom's entry into the Thunderbolts. Suitably brutal and grim, the story is nevertheless incidental, essentially consisting of Venom being offered membership and him saying yes. Guggenheim's script is entertaining, though a touch overburdened with in-jokes, and Yu's art is suitably grotesque. But since this isn't even the creative team that will be handling Thunderbolts come January, I'm a little confused as to its inclusion.
Ultimately, this is a fun, but disposable book, dedicated more to hyping new titles than telling great stories. Still, like an hour and a half of the Cannes Advertising Festival, it's diverting and entertaining, but ultimately unfulfilling. Despite the level of talent, this book was conceived mainly as a product to be consumed as opposed to an artistic endeavor. And ultimately, when the book is done, I feel like I've just consumed a Twinkie, instead of a full course meal. Still, I like Twinkies, and I’m probably not alone.
Rating: 6/10
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