Synopsis & Review by RachelGrey:
Synopsis: Right Now: Peter asks his Aunt May and Mary Jane for advice. He has a hard decision and doesn’t know what to do…because this decision could mean the end of Spider-Man.

Earlier: Peter flies with Tony Stark and discusses the Stamford situation and agree that the situation can be described as bad or very bad when a call comes in. Tony answers and discovers a school was destroyed and the death count is over 600. Tony says he was wrong. The situation is greatly beyond very bad.

Two hours Later: Iron Man and Spider-Man stare at the wreckage while Iron Man explains to Peter that there is an “it” moment in everyone’s lives, where “There’s your life before ‘it’ and after ‘it’”. Tony says 9/11 was an ‘It’ and Stamford will be one too. Spider-Man notices how all the people are staring at the pair of them with such intense hate, almost like they caused the incident. Iron Man says they have every right to since they’re like the people responsible. Spider-Man suggests going back down to help some more, but Iron Man tells him not too. Peter then asks why they are still around if they’re not going to help and Tony quickly answers by telling him to look up. Using his suits zoom system lenses, Spider-Man sees a helicopter…with the Presidential insignia on it. Tony explains the President’s office called and wanted him to see what the President was seeing as he was seeing it and tells his friend that the President also wants to talk to him later…

Three Hours Later: A nervous Peter Parker sits around the White House as Tony goes in and talks with the President. He soon returns and the two leave. Tony tells Peter that congress will push through the Superhuman Registration Act and it’ll be signed in a week or so. Peter asks if Tony’s going to fight the Act, citing that it took Tony years to convince everyone he wasn’t Iron Man anymore. Tony then admits that the President asked him if he was being Iron Man again…and Tony told him yes. He explains that everyone with a mask is going to have to register to the government. In the eyes of the world, all costumed people are bad guys now. Anyone who doesn’t obey will be hunted down and arrested, as will anyone who aids them with keeping their secret identities. Tony says this will split the superhuman community down the middle and asks Peter which side he’s on. Peter says he’s on Tony’s side, like he promised. Tony then tells Peter he wants him by his side when he spearheads the Pro-side, but he’ll need him as both Spider-Man and Peter Parker. Basically, Spider-Man will have to unmask. Peter doesn’t want to, but Tony tells him that if he doesn’t, he’ll be considered a criminal and so will Mary Jane and Aunt May. Tony then drops Peter off at an airport so he can go back to New York while Tony needs to go meet with the President again and tells him the pilot will pick him back up if decides to join him and return. He then leaves a very distressed Peter. On the flight home, Peter calls his bank and asks how much money he has on his own…

Right Now: Peter asks his Aunt May and Mary Jane for advice. He has a hard decision and doesn’t know what to do…because this decision could mean the end of Spider-Man. MJ asks if Peter will have to hunt down other heroes if he unmasks and if he’ll have to give out the secret identities of the heroes he knows. She then asks the important question: Will Tony turn Peter in if he doesn’t unmask? Peter is unsure of anything and tells MJ that if he doesn’t unmask, he’ll have to go alone so MJ and May won’t be involved. Aunt May then chimes in. She says Peter isn’t a criminal and has a lot to be proud of. She relates to how judges and prosecutors work and jeopardize their loved ones, but don’t where masks. MJ then says she agrees with May. Spider-Man should unmask.

Four Days Later: Peter prepares to leave when he gets cold feet. He thinks about leaving for Canada or New England when Aunt May comes out and gives him his old costume. She tells him she stitched it up and repaired it so people won’t doubt it’s really him. She recalls Uncle Ben’s famous line and tells him responsibility means not running away.

The Next Day: Tony Stark prepares to make a statement to the world when Peter comes in. He thanks Tony for taking him and his family in and tells Tony he’s been like a father to him. Peter says he’ll stand behind Tony. Tony begins his announcement and introduces Spider-Man, who has a very important announcement to make…

Review: This was a pretty decent issue. No real action, but a lot of insight into the workings of the Civil War. Spider-Man seemed a little thick for not understanding that he’d have to unmask to stay on Tony’s side…the side that doesn’t want the masked heroes…duh! Straczynski’s dialogue is really good throughout the issue. The “It” moment part and most of Tony’s speeches were good. MJ brought up the best points. Is the Pro-side going to just list off the names of their ex-fellow heroes? And would Tony sell out Peter? It’s a possibility. Civil War has shown Tony is kind of a jerk. May’s analogy to the judges and such was alright, but there is a difference between senators and The Fantastic Four. This issue brings up some of the only strong points for the Pro-side I’ve heard. The crossover really has painted the Pro-side as the “wrong” side. Hopefully we’ll see some more positives to the Pro-Registration side. Peter getting cold feet was a good move too. I find the idea of Spider-Man being you Friendly Neighborhood Canadian somewhat funny.

Ron Garney takes up the art for this arc. I must admit Garney’s art is pretty mediocre. There’s nothing really special about it. It gives a friendly tone and style fitting for a Spider-Man book, but it doesn’t really leap out as being great art. It only gets the job done. MJ and May look off and Iron Man looks too much like a cheap plastic toy. Hopefully Garney’s work will improve as the arc progresses.

Spider-Man is a central figure in Civil War and this issue only reinforces that. I personally like him being more important to the big scheme unlike House Of M where he didn’t really do anything. If your using Spider-Man, use him well, not just because he’s Spider-Man. Straczynski and Millar have done just that so far. Straczynski can write well and really makes the hardships of the Civil War felt and makes a good start to this tie-in arc.