Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artists: John Romita Jr (p), Scott Hanna (I)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Plot: This special issue brings the very real tragedy of September 11th into the Marvel Universe, as we see Spider-Man react to the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. What follows is a mix of reality & fiction, as we see that every character, be they super-hero, or super-villain has been shocked by this event. We see the super-heroes working along side the firefighters as they search for survivors. We see the outrage expressed toward the heroes for their failure in preventing this tragedy. We see the sense of disbelief, and shock are almost too overwhelming, as Spider-Man spends a good part of the issue trying to make sense of it all, but like most everyone else these feelings are left unresolved. In the end, this issue is like a cold, sobering dose of reality, into a medium that has thrived on its ability to deliver incredible amounts of destruction, without touching on the idea of massive fatalities. Is it a change for the better? I don't know, but this issue is one depressing read, even with its uplifting tone.
Comments: To be perfectly honest I was of two minds when I entered this issue, and now that I've read it, I find I still am. Part of me clings to the belief that comics are purely escapist entertainment, and as such have always benefited from their lack of realism. I mean, when a super-villain unleashed their master-plan, and it consumed entire city blocks, I don't think there was a single time before September 11th that I stopped to consider that there were people inside these buildings. By injecting this real-life event into a comic environment, it brings up questions that really should be asked, as comic book logic just doesn't fit anymore. On the other hand I do applaud the effort, as if nothing else it has Marvel bucking the trend of most popular media, as they are actually willing to not only address the fact that this tragedy occurred, but they also manage to walk a fairly fine line, as they inject their own characters into the mix.
There's all sorts of things I could go on about, as this comic pretty much requires you to put aside all past stories, and ignore details like Magneto & Kingpin being on hand when they're supposed to be dead, or the simple fact that Marvel's Manhattan has been devastated countless times by the very same super-villains who look so sad in this issue, that it's almost insulting to have them reduced to tears. However, I really think that this story should be viewed as a separate entity, as any attempt to shoehorn a real-life tragedy into a comic book setting is simply wrong in my mind. Sure, Spider-Man's internal monologue doesn't read like something Peter would think, and yes the sentiments expressed didn't exactly offer any insight that I haven't seen expressed elsewhere, but in the end I applaud the effort, and frankly I dislike the idea that I even have to review this material, as frankly I feel like I'm being asked to critique an eulogy being given at a funeral. There are times when it's best just to shut up.
John Romita Jr is called upon to deliver one of the most difficult issues I think any artist has ever been asked to render, and I would like to credit him for being equal to the task. The devastation that we see in this issue is truly horrific, and while there are times when their presence just seems wrong, I also have to acknowledge that the various shots of the Marvel heroes working alongside the true heroes of this event do a great job capturing the idea of heroism. However, the most stirring section of the book has to be the three page sequence where we cut away from the super-heroes & focus on what really happened in the aftermath. The double-page spread that opens this issue is almost too real, as while it's a truly stunning visual, it's highly uncomfortable to look at. The same goes for the one-page spread later in the issue as we see Spider-Man get a ground-level view of the devastation. The page where we look in on Captain America is a truly moving visual as well.
Final Word: What can I say about this issue without coming across as the dimwitted goof who fails to notice that this comic isn't supposed to be looked upon as a comic book adventure. Part of me wishes that J. Michael Straczynski had gone for a more personal tale, as while I'm sure that the higher ups wanted this issue to be seen as Marvel's response to the tragedy (along with the Heroes one-shot), frankly I felt this book was trying too hard to show its respect to the event. It's just that this issue felt cold, and the emotions it was trying to convey felt like it was simply echoing what many others have said before. Now I'm sure the thoughts expressed were heartfelt, and I look like a complete heel for bringing it up, but this issue didn't stir the emotions as much I expected it to.
