Antebellum Marvel: Civil War #3

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Previously in Cable & Deadpool #30

I’m traveling the road to Civil War with Marvel so I can be caught up by the time this storyline hits the big screen. Please do not comment with spoilers if you’re familiar with this particular story arc, but you are welcome to provide non-spoiler answers to any questions I may ask in the review. If you are interested in following along, here’s the reading order I’ll be following.

Who’s In It:

T’Challa (Black Panther), Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Emma Frost, Doctor Strange, Captain America, Hercules, Daredevil, Goliath, Spider-Man, Thor

What Happens: 

This issue could have been subtitled, “My Name is Bennett and I Ain’t In It” or “My Name is Paul and That’s Between Y’all.”

Basically, ain’t nobody got time to get involved with this civil war. That includes T’Challa, who Reed Richards visits in Wakanda, and tries to convince him to pick a side.

Nah.

There’s Emma Frost who tells Tony Stark that the mutants will not be getting involved with hunting down other super beings.

Finally, Doctor Strange is off meditating somewhere, waiting for everyone else to get their shit together.

The highlight of this book is seeing the rebel heroes in their new secret identities - The most larger than life men forced to be “normal.” Of course, when trouble calls (a fire at a chemical plant), they don’t hesitate to help. And that’s exactly what Tony Stark was banking on.

The emergency is really a trap and Captain America, Daredevil, Hercules, and Goliath fall for it. There’s a moment where you think some kind of compromise will be reached, but it’s a stalling tactic by Cap, employing a device designed by Nick Fury in case Iron Man ever went to the dark side.

Heroes fight heroes, yet Tony warns S.H.I.E.L.D to back off until his secret weapon arrives.

Oh, and Johnny Storm finally woke up from his coma.

Overall Thoughts: 

• A very fun issue, though not much forward movement with the story: they’re still at odds, there are still players trying to remain neutral, etc.
• That said, the addition of Thor and Johnny being on his feet again promise to shake things up.
• Interesting to see straight-laced Captain America play a little dirty.