Product Description

Ripped from the pages of New Avengers, the Eisner Award-winning team of Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev present an explosive hidden story of Marvel's secret past, the secret history of Marvel's most secret team - how they came together and how they are ripped apart. Plus: Spidey's got a new lease on life, new powers and a new costume, courtesy of his new best friend Tony Stark. So what could possibly go wrong? With clouds quickly building on the horizon, the bonds that Spider-Man now forges may very well determine his capacity to withstand a coming storm. The Marvel Universe is about to split down the middle, and the line is drawn here! You will be asked: whose side are you on? Collects New Avengers: Illuminati; Amazing Spider-Man #529-531; Fantastic Four #536 & 537.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79200 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Does what it says on the cover............
This book does indeed collect together the relevant issues leading into Civil War, the biggest event (like it or loath it, and truth be told I am still undecided)in Marvel history.
The book collects together the New Avengers:Illuminati special, which reveals a secret society among the elite of the Marvel U,spanning generations; features great art by Alex Maleev.
Next up is Fantastic Four issues 536 and 537 featuring the return of Doctor Doom, and Thor's hammer Mjolnir (but no Thor). Great art again.
Finally, and the real immediate prologue to Civil War, is Amazing Spider-Man 529 to 531, which sees Peter Parker and Tony Stark head to Washington to try and derail the Superhuman Registration Act; oh yes, and Spidey gets a new costume.
The volume hangs together well, is packaged nicely and includes the covers of the individual issues. Having now read all of Civil War, you also get the nuances and hints in these early issues that were not apparent at the time.
Well worth a look.........

Worth It
This collection preludes the superhuman civil war that engrossed the Marvel Universe for nearly a year. It includes the rise and fall of the Illuminati (the elite group of superhero leaders who make world-alterinig decisions behind the scenes), the legal fight on Registration, and just for good measure, the return of Doctor Doom (maybe)!
The comics are all quite well-written, and the art is all very readable. The Illuminati Special by Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev is spectacular. It's written nearly as a play. I love this as a prelude. The rest by Joeseph Straczinski is all very interesting. It shows a different side the upcoming brawl.
It's a good bargain.

Its good but its just a prequel to the Civil War.......
This book is a fun read but not absolutely essential to understand the Civl War storyline. Well, I guess it helps.

The strongest part of this book would be the 'Illuminati' special at the start. It shows some interesting tensions between some of Marvels most well known characters. Also it has a fight between Iron man and Namor so, whats not to like?

The worst part of the book is the Fantastic Four story because its just not as interesting as the other two storys.

The Spider-Man part of this book is a good, entertaining read. It has a simple, yet interesting story to it and we also get to see Spider-Man test out his new costume so its all good!!!

So this Graphic Novel is fun to read but don't go expecting anything that memorable. The actual Civil War storyline is much, much better.