Post by spiderwasp on Jul 5, 2009 13:32:23 GMT -5
After completing my rereading of the entire Avengers/WCA series, I then picked up one of my all time favorite stories and reread the 12 issue Squadron Supreme series from 1985. This cover made me think of this comparison.
IMHO, the Squadron Supreme LS was everything Civil War tried to be and everything that comics should be. The similarities are many. Before reading this, if there is anyone who has never read this series I STRONGLY suggest you get it and read it. Since it is more than 20 years old, I hardly feel the need to worry about spoilers but again, if you've never read it, you should so---- spoilers abound.
* The world's superheroes try to develop a plan whereby they can solve all the worlds problems ( Utopia society/ The list of 100 problems Reed and Tony planned to solve)
*Criminal activity is dealt with in a very questionable way (Behavior Modification/ The Negative Zone prison)
*One of the top heroes from America's top team forms a group to challenge one of the other top heroes from the same team who he feels is leading the superhero community in the wrong direction (Nighthawk - Hyperion/ Captain America - Ironman)
*The leader of the resistance ends up dead (Nighthawk/Captain America)
*Many members on each side change allegiance for various reasons.
*At least one major player pulls out completely (Amphibian/Thing -although the Thing does return at the end)
*There are many casualties as a result of the inevitable battle
*Both sides believed they were 100% right and readers could easily see the viewpoints of either side.
*There was a large number of pivotal characters, hero and villain alike.
*The line was blurred between who was a hero and who was a villain.
*There was some crossover action even though it was only one issue of Captain America for the Squadron
Here's why I think the Squadron series trumped Civil War hands down:
*No one acted out of character. Granted these were characters without the years of previous history but they were still clearly defined.
*Something important happened in every issue. Okay, actually, a lot of important things happened in every issue including major plot points and great character development subplots.
*It would take you at least twice as long to read the 12 Squadron issues and the one crossover as it would to read Civil War and all its crossovers. (No I haven't researched this)
*Even the minor characters received quality character development - look at the difference between Inertia and Typeface. Neither received much attention but Inertia felt much more real.
*You did not need to buy 50 books to follow the story. You didn't even have to read the Captain America crossover. 12 issues is enough to tell a fully developed story with lots of subplots.
*The book was fun, even at its darkest, which was pretty dark.
*Every character had his/her own unique voice and worked through his/her own unique problems.
*As a reader, I could identify with both sides. With Civil War, I felt that I had to choose one side or the other. Here on this board, some of us felt Cap was right and others felt Ironman was right. With the SS, both seemed right and made good arguments. In the end, I think Hyperion and company were misguided but it was easy to see where they were coming from. The world was in the middle of some very dark days. They honestly just wanted to help. IMO, Ironman wanted much more to control.
And the number 1 reason, I think the SS series was such much better:
*Again, I recognize this is just my opinion but, to me, the SS series felt like a labor of love. It wasn't about crossovers. It wasn't about merchandizing. It wasn't about marketing. It wasn't about setting up the next big event. It wasn't about figuring out how to tie in all the company's biggest characters to increase sales. It was simply about telling the story.
When people want to know what I miss about the Marvel of yesterday, this is my answer. This is what comics can be and should be.
And remember, I think Civil War was far superior to House of M, World War Hulk, Secret Invasion, or Dark Reign.
Finally, I think it's terribly sad that the Squadron seems to have pretty much died along with Marc Gruenwald. I would love to see a good writer do something with them. The alternate versions that have been out in recent years just don't cut it for me. I read them for a while. They started out okay but they turned into more of what I don't like about comics.
R.I.P. - Marc Gruewald
IMHO, the Squadron Supreme LS was everything Civil War tried to be and everything that comics should be. The similarities are many. Before reading this, if there is anyone who has never read this series I STRONGLY suggest you get it and read it. Since it is more than 20 years old, I hardly feel the need to worry about spoilers but again, if you've never read it, you should so---- spoilers abound.
* The world's superheroes try to develop a plan whereby they can solve all the worlds problems ( Utopia society/ The list of 100 problems Reed and Tony planned to solve)
*Criminal activity is dealt with in a very questionable way (Behavior Modification/ The Negative Zone prison)
*One of the top heroes from America's top team forms a group to challenge one of the other top heroes from the same team who he feels is leading the superhero community in the wrong direction (Nighthawk - Hyperion/ Captain America - Ironman)
*The leader of the resistance ends up dead (Nighthawk/Captain America)
*Many members on each side change allegiance for various reasons.
*At least one major player pulls out completely (Amphibian/Thing -although the Thing does return at the end)
*There are many casualties as a result of the inevitable battle
*Both sides believed they were 100% right and readers could easily see the viewpoints of either side.
*There was a large number of pivotal characters, hero and villain alike.
*The line was blurred between who was a hero and who was a villain.
*There was some crossover action even though it was only one issue of Captain America for the Squadron
Here's why I think the Squadron series trumped Civil War hands down:
*No one acted out of character. Granted these were characters without the years of previous history but they were still clearly defined.
*Something important happened in every issue. Okay, actually, a lot of important things happened in every issue including major plot points and great character development subplots.
*It would take you at least twice as long to read the 12 Squadron issues and the one crossover as it would to read Civil War and all its crossovers. (No I haven't researched this)
*Even the minor characters received quality character development - look at the difference between Inertia and Typeface. Neither received much attention but Inertia felt much more real.
*You did not need to buy 50 books to follow the story. You didn't even have to read the Captain America crossover. 12 issues is enough to tell a fully developed story with lots of subplots.
*The book was fun, even at its darkest, which was pretty dark.
*Every character had his/her own unique voice and worked through his/her own unique problems.
*As a reader, I could identify with both sides. With Civil War, I felt that I had to choose one side or the other. Here on this board, some of us felt Cap was right and others felt Ironman was right. With the SS, both seemed right and made good arguments. In the end, I think Hyperion and company were misguided but it was easy to see where they were coming from. The world was in the middle of some very dark days. They honestly just wanted to help. IMO, Ironman wanted much more to control.
And the number 1 reason, I think the SS series was such much better:
*Again, I recognize this is just my opinion but, to me, the SS series felt like a labor of love. It wasn't about crossovers. It wasn't about merchandizing. It wasn't about marketing. It wasn't about setting up the next big event. It wasn't about figuring out how to tie in all the company's biggest characters to increase sales. It was simply about telling the story.
When people want to know what I miss about the Marvel of yesterday, this is my answer. This is what comics can be and should be.
And remember, I think Civil War was far superior to House of M, World War Hulk, Secret Invasion, or Dark Reign.
Finally, I think it's terribly sad that the Squadron seems to have pretty much died along with Marc Gruenwald. I would love to see a good writer do something with them. The alternate versions that have been out in recent years just don't cut it for me. I read them for a while. They started out okay but they turned into more of what I don't like about comics.
R.I.P. - Marc Gruewald