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inlibrisveritas's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I didn't expect to walk around from this set of issues with the high opinion that I have now. Admittedly, I wasn't all that interested in a reporter perspective but this shows so much of what's happening on levels the other storylines don't touch.
mjfmjfmjf's review
5.0
Flawed but brilliant. Finally something that makes some sort of sense in this Civil War series. Some of the historical comparison are pretty good, the Billy Joel Vietnam one was not one of them. But the Robbie Baldwin aka Speedball story rings true. I am having a lot of trouble believing Peter Parker is out as Spider-man, I'm not sure that took. There were just some great bits in this book though - Ben Urich and Sally, Robbie and She-Hulk. 4.5 of 5.
carroq's review
3.0
I recommend reading the main storyline to Marvel's Civil War event before starting this. After a fight between the New Warriors and a group of supervillains killed 612 people, including 60 children, in the town of Stamford, CT, the country calls for the registration of all heroes. There is a political theme running throughout the connected books pitting the pro-government/registration group against those that see this as a violation of their personal freedom.
What this volume does is follow two continuous stories, a third smaller story, and snapshots of historical war events. These focus more on side characters that aren't central to the debate over the hero registration act. Even though the biggest heroes aren't the focus, they do make appearances throughout. To me, this book gave the Marvel Universe more character. It shows how the actions of the heroes affect regular people, making it feel like a living world.
"Embedded" is the first storyline presented, which centers around two reporters: Ben Urich and Sally Floyd. The story is strong and ties into the main storyline the best. Ben Urich is a recurring character in various Marvel series, and that connection helps lead the charge here. The reporters and this story flesh out the political aspects of the event.
The other main story covered in this volume is "The Accused", featuring Speedball, the only member of the New Warriors to survive the New Stamford event. He represents the anti-registration heroes in a more subtle way than Captain America or the heroes that side with him. Speedball is held responsible for the deaths of the people in New Stamford, and is eventually imprisoned. We see other heroes treated similarly, but his involvement in the event that sparked the war makes him easy to follow. I disliked his attitude throughout the story though. He comes across as a jerk compared to what is going on around him.
"Sleeper Cell" is the shorter piece in terms of the length of each story and how many parts there are. It felt unnecessary in this volume because it didn't add a lot to the overall story. It introduces the Atlanteans in a very slow way and doesn't explain their presence very well. The final piece is a series of shorts labelled as "Correspondence". These focus on different wars in history and are inspired in a variety of way, such as poems and letters. The best part about these was the side-by-side panels showing the historical war and how the Marvel Civil War parallels it.
I wasn't satisfied with where this left off, which is not surprising since it is in the middle of the various stories. Worth reading as a companion to the main storyline, but needs the second volume to make it feel complete.
What this volume does is follow two continuous stories, a third smaller story, and snapshots of historical war events. These focus more on side characters that aren't central to the debate over the hero registration act. Even though the biggest heroes aren't the focus, they do make appearances throughout. To me, this book gave the Marvel Universe more character. It shows how the actions of the heroes affect regular people, making it feel like a living world.
"Embedded" is the first storyline presented, which centers around two reporters: Ben Urich and Sally Floyd. The story is strong and ties into the main storyline the best. Ben Urich is a recurring character in various Marvel series, and that connection helps lead the charge here. The reporters and this story flesh out the political aspects of the event.
The other main story covered in this volume is "The Accused", featuring Speedball, the only member of the New Warriors to survive the New Stamford event. He represents the anti-registration heroes in a more subtle way than Captain America or the heroes that side with him. Speedball is held responsible for the deaths of the people in New Stamford, and is eventually imprisoned. We see other heroes treated similarly, but his involvement in the event that sparked the war makes him easy to follow. I disliked his attitude throughout the story though. He comes across as a jerk compared to what is going on around him.
"Sleeper Cell" is the shorter piece in terms of the length of each story and how many parts there are. It felt unnecessary in this volume because it didn't add a lot to the overall story. It introduces the Atlanteans in a very slow way and doesn't explain their presence very well. The final piece is a series of shorts labelled as "Correspondence". These focus on different wars in history and are inspired in a variety of way, such as poems and letters. The best part about these was the side-by-side panels showing the historical war and how the Marvel Civil War parallels it.
I wasn't satisfied with where this left off, which is not surprising since it is in the middle of the various stories. Worth reading as a companion to the main storyline, but needs the second volume to make it feel complete.
darthsquidious's review
3.0
- loved the art style, especially the side-by-side drawings of past wars and the current superhero Civil War
- found all the different story arcs to be a little confusing, which is why I have it only 3 stars
- found all the different story arcs to be a little confusing, which is why I have it only 3 stars
williamstome's review
4.0
Working my way through Civil War and tie ins, and this is one of my favorite parts. Really great.
sapphicsolace's review
2.0
This almost put me to sleep. I don't think I'm going to read vol. 2 of this. There was way too much focus on the reporters and it felt like almost nothing happened. The only good part was Speedball's story line.
antsneversleep's review
4.0
The inclusion of material from various wars & conflicts, juxtaposed with various events within the Marvel Universe was unexpected, but ultimately effective.
bowienerd_82's review
3.0
My one complaint about this is that Civil War was supposed to be a little less one-sided. This one was so biased it was almost hard to read at times.
ozgold's review
3.0
Obviously, centering a side series on reporters covering the action has its limitations, but there are some bright spots between the newsroom chatter.
beorn_101's review
4.0
Another gem in the Civil War storyline, Front Line follows two reporters investigating the conflict, and Speed Ball, as he is put on trial.
The scenes with Speed Ball are chilling, in many ways he is oblivious, naive, but many of the points he sullenly makes are also not wrong. Even with this in mind he is beaten, mistreated, and jailed without any sort of sentencing. THis highlights the horror of a security state.
I have already reviewed the second volume of this, and honestly similar things apply. It is a great find for the series and well worth a read.
The scenes with Speed Ball are chilling, in many ways he is oblivious, naive, but many of the points he sullenly makes are also not wrong. Even with this in mind he is beaten, mistreated, and jailed without any sort of sentencing. THis highlights the horror of a security state.
I have already reviewed the second volume of this, and honestly similar things apply. It is a great find for the series and well worth a read.