So, against my better judgement, I picked up the first issue of Marvel’s big event of the year last week. I guess that on some level I’m still a Marvel fanboy, and I got sucked in by all the hype and the amazing preview art that’s been virtually shoved down our throats for the last several months. On that end, the book delivered - McNiven has really blossomed under the Marvel banner, and has quietly become one of the top artists in the industry.

As far as the plot itself goes, it’s a decent enough idea, though one we’ve seen numerous times in the past (Watchmen, JSA, Legends, etc.). The difference between previous tellings of the tale and this one seems to be the lasting repercussions we’ve been told to expect.

Quesada and company have been crowing high and low about how this will change the Marvel Universe forever, and they may be telling the truth. One thing Marvel hasn’t been afraid of in recent years is serious and very real change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. And if Millar is able to overcome what was a fairly predictable and by the numbers bit of writing on issue 1 - in other words, if Civil War resembles Ultimates and Authority rather than Wanted - then the core mini may, at least, be worthwhile reading.

But here’s the main problem with Marvel, and also DC right now: the uber-hyped main series of a crossover isn’t the whole story. Hell, this time it isn’t even a tenth of the story! By my count, according to the checklist in the back of the first issue, there are 86 chapters to Civil War. And that’s not counting sketchbooks and whatever else they decide to throw in along the way.

The thing that kills me is that one of Marvel’s biggest talking points has been the series’ accessibility to new readers and how it’s specifically designed to garner mainstream press coverage and lure non-comic book readers into the stores. Even NPR had a recent segment on the series, with Paul Jenkins and Joe Quesada interviewed on the air. (BTW, Quesada swore up and down that there was no secret bad guy behind the whole event, so it looks like Rich Johnston may have gotten a rumor wrong for once.)

And, well, here’s the thing - you know and I know that there’s no such thing as a huge event series without crossover issues, but Marvel’s done a really good job marketing this to the mainstream public. Then, if/when Joe Average picks up the first issue labeled A Marvel Comic Event In Seven Parts, I gotta think they’re gonna be a little perturbed when they get to that massive checklist in the back. Especially since they’re likely reeling a little from sticker shock at the $3.99 cover price already. It does no good to get new readers in the door if you’re just going to scare them away immediately. Thoughts, anyone?

Spread the word!