Civil War II: Choosing Sides #5
Publisher: Marvel
Writer(s): Chip Zdarsky, Enrique Carrion, & Declan Shalvey
Artist(s): Ramón Pérez, Annapaola Martello, & Declan Shalvey
Colorists: Nolan Woodard & Jordie Bellaire
Cover: Cameron Stewart, Matthew Wilson, & Declan Shalvey
Another issue of the Civil War II tie-in brings us more stories that fill in the cracks of what’s happening during Marvel’s big event. We stories from Chip Zdarsky and Enrique Carrion while Declan Shalvey continues his Nick Fury tale that has been running through the series.
The first entry has Zdarsky focusing on Alpha Flight carrying out a certain mission. Being that it ties into a prediction from Ulysses there is a large moral issue taking place here. So Zdarsky has the team speak with Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, to offer his point of view regarding this superhero schism.
One thing that’s been obvious about Civil War II is how everyone outside of the superhero community that knows of Ulysses’ ability seems to view this situation with more clarity than the heroes involved. Zdarsky lays out a very good argument via Trudeau who then gives some sound and honest advice to his countrymen and women. He even gets a sparring match in with Tony and does the same with him. With the most poignant words not spoken until the last page. However, none of this was too exciting for me. Aside from the novelty of Trudeau appearing nothing else was too engaging. Ramón Peréz’s art handles the story well and Tony getting caught with that jab from Trudeau was a visual highlight. But it wasn’t until those last several panels where art and story sync up for a perfectly deep and telling moment.
The second story brings back the Daughters of the Dragon aka Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Written by Enrique Carrion, he touches on the current divide between these two longtime friends as Misty is assisting the Howling Commandos on a transport mission. Colleen’s interference though actually has to do with something more important than issues between them. It’s a fast paced story that would have been even better had it been longer. Carrion’s Misty has all the nuances and attitude that she’s sometimes missing in other interpretations. Even the brief time we get between her and Colleen made it clear that we might be due for another Daughters of the Dragon mini series with Carrion at the helm. Martello and Woodard’s visuals move the script well and makes it look good. There’s a big moment between Man-Thing and Colleen that is ugly in a good way and but I wish could have had more fight choreography. There’s a small panel near the end with Misty that perfectly captures the attitude Carrion is expressing in her dialogue. Just strong art throughout.
The final tale has Declan Shalvey continuing Nick Fury’s adventure that drops a heavy revelation on the lone spy. Though with everything shady that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been up to lately it’s not a huge leap. However, it does help the Nick Fury LMD cast even more doubt on the agency when it’s time to go toe to toe with Nick Fury Jr.
Shalvey makes this feel in part like an old school Nick Fury spy story. Which makes me miss these types of stories even more. Each episode has been better than the last though this probably is the least exciting of the bunch. It was still a fun read with a nice twist and pretty destructive cliffhanger. Shalvey also gives us a nice fight sequence and it was just brutal to see Fury keep attacking that damaged eye socket of the LMD. With cool stories like this it’s obvious we need more Fury in the Marvel Universe.
Civil War II: Choosing Sides delivers two stories that are the standouts here whereas the first one could have just been shorter and seemed more concerned with spotlighting Trudeau. A decent tale, just not for me. Overall, this is still a solid anthology series as we get stories from the various creative teams and is worth picking up.
Infinite Speech
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