As the Registration Act is passed through Congress and nears going into effect, Iron Man becomes its figurehead, even as news breaks that Captain America has gone into hiding. In New York, a team of Iron Man, She Hulk, Mister Fantastic, Yellowjacket, Ms. Marvel and Tigra take down a Doombot. The heroes discuss their acceptance of the Act, with Iron Man saying that it will weed out the kids, amateurs and sociopaths. When Tigra asks what category Captain America falls into, he responds that Cap’s just wrong.

In the Baxter Building, Invisible Woman talks to an excited Mister Fantastic about Iron Man’s plan for the superhero community. Sue shows doubt in the plan as it means jail for many of their friends. Reed backs up his side with calculated figures, but Sue changes the subject, asking about a disk simply labeled ‘42’. Reed says its classified information, which bothers Sue a bit as she leaves to visit Human Torch in the hospital. At the Daily Bugle, Robbie Robertson asks J. Jonah Jameson about a press conference Tony Stark is holding the next day, but Jonah is caught up in the thought that everything he’s been campaigning for is about to come to pass. In Tony Stark’s penthouse, Stark prepares for the Act to become law at midnight, but worries over Captain America’s message that he’s forming his own team.

24 hours later, Patriot is hopping across rooftops trying to get away from a SHIELD helicopter that has been chasing him since the Young Avengers tried to foil a robbery in costume. The agents shoot tranquillizers at him, but when they prove ineffective, they launch a number of grenades into the building he jumped into. As the Young Avengers are being carted away by SHIELD, the transport driver, an undercover Captain America, knocks the passenger soldier out of the truck and speeds away from the escorting police. The guard in the hold, actually the Falcon in disguise, frees Wiccan and instructs her to teleport them to safety, which she does in the nick of time. The convoy appears in a SHIELD safe house. Cap and Daredevil explain that they have been given the place as a headquarters by Nick Fury, who is the only one who knows of its existence. As the Young Avengers are freed from their bindings, Dagger draws their attention to a press conference.

Tony Stark, standing before the press, introduces Spider-Man, who swings down wearing his classic costume. Before a worldwide audience, including the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Avengers, his family and the Daily Bugle staff, Spider-Man removes his mask, revealing himself to be Peter Parker.

Review: Wow. I personally never thought they would actually unmask Spider-Man. I can see this being a highly controversial move, but that’s what makes this a big event. No sense complaining about it now. It’s done. Let’s see where we go from here. Methinks that something drastic is going to come about from this, like something horrific to Mary Jane or Aunt May. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Civil War is not about unmasking, though, which is a point often forgotten in discussions. It’s about heroes being forced to register to carry out their duties, and being arrested when failing to do so. Both sides have a valid argument, and that’s what makes the story so intriguing. I’m sure that by the end of the series one side will become drastically wrong, causing the heroes to join up against a major threat, while the main cause of the wrongdoings (say Iron Man, if it’s his side) will become guilt ridden and depressive. Maybe even jailed. Why do I think this? It’s how these types of stories always end up. Anyone remember the X-Men/Alpha Flight mini-series? The same general idea there – heroes vs. heroes with each having a valid argument until you come across the catch. Hopefully I’m proven wrong on this one.

The pro-registration side has been the first to show signs of potential downfall in the use of excessive force to take down Patriot, causing extensive damage to a building. The ‘42’ project, apparently a prison for the heroes, is an appealing idea, though I’m amazed they had a soldier blurt out what it is, after they went through all the trouble of having Mister Fantastic to coldly blow off Invisible Woman’s question on it. This, of course, will lead to dissension amongst the ranks of the Fantastic Four. Hell, just typing this review gets me excited! Oh, for those of you not aware, ‘42’ is a reference to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which is the Answer to existence (they just don’t know the question).

We have our first glimpse at the opposition heroes with Daredevil, Hercules, Goliath, Cloak, Dagger and Cable present at the SHIELD safe house along with Captain America, Falcon and the Young Avengers. This is a good crew of street-based heroes with the exception of Hercules, who fits because registration would naturally be against his way of doing things. The dividing line, as stated last issue, looks to be the media-friendliness of the hero. Those heroes worried about their public appeal, such as the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Iron Man and She-Hulk, will stand with the Registration. Those focused on getting the job done, no matter what is thought of them, will be in the opposition. It’ll be interesting to see who goes where.

Another powerful issue of Civil War, and I have to say that I’m still hooked. Issue 3 simply can’t get out soon enough for me.