REVIEW: ‘Civil War: Unmasked’ Issue 1

Civil War Unmasked Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics and written by Christos Gage, art by Edgar Salazar, colors by Morry Hollowell, and letters by Travis Lanham.

In the early days of the superhero civil war, Bishop shows Iron Man a dark future.

This issue is a really fascinating idea, digging into a 20-year-old event. Civil War Unmasked Issue 1 literally steps between the original story’s parts, fleshing out scenes and conversations that never happened. When this chapter begins, it uses very familiar territory. Tony Stark is talking to Emma Frost, trying to convince her and the X-Men to support and sign the Superhuman Registration Act. As Tony leaves the Mansion, Bishop asks for a conversation.

In the original comic, that’s where the scene ends, with much more pressing matters to attend to. Gage explored that conversation further in this issue, transforming the book into a journey towards a dystopian future. Bishop reveals where he grew up, a New York pullover by ruthless Sentinels. The action and pace erupt at this point as the residents of this future seek a portal into the past.

At this point, Civil War Unmasked Issue 1 is a brand new story, highlighting an unpredictable team-up between a man who tries to prevent the future and a man who lived it. The foundations have already been laid, and Gage silently links back to all the storylines at the time, seamlessly attaching this side story.

It’s important to remember context when reading Civil War Unmasked Issue 1, and the comic does an excellent job of providing it. It very quickly catches up the storylines for both superheroes and mutants. One of the most important features is that the mutant race is almost extinct, and there are Sentinels watching over the mansion.

Tony had also just witnessed the tragedy that the New Warriors had ignited, which led to the Civil War breaking out in the first place. He is a man who fears the future, so showing him a reality where his nightmares come true only pours more petrol on his paranoia. Despite being in the future and encountering a very tough and dangerous villain, Iron Man is still able to fight against them.

The art does a terrific job of evoking the period and the original artists. Salazar’s style is not too dissimilar to that of Steve McNiven. This is very noticeable in the first scene, where the meeting between Stark and Frost, future husband and wife, is replicated. The details in the faces are uncanny. The Sentinels are the classic design, too, huge and menacing, while they tower over the few remaining mutants.

The Iron Man armor illustrated by Salazar is also very iconic. It’s his Extremis armor, with a very rounded design that made up much of the 2000’s. When he and Bishop, who is also brilliantly recreated, enter the future, the detail is extraordinary. It’s a version of New York ravaged by war. Every individual building is included, crafting a vast expanse of devastation. The battle against the villain is a spectacular sci-fi clash. Two technological marvels from very different eras come to blows, forcing Iron Man to use his suit in creative ways.

The colors also remain faithful to the ordinary text, whilst also venturing into something new. Outside the mansion, the shades are incredibly bright, with both Stark and Frost wearing white. But in the future, the sky turns an insidious red. It makes the whole city, already dilapidated, look even more nightmarish. The villain brings a very neon pink to the book. The lettering uses many custom word balloons but remains easy to read.

Civil War Unmasked Issue 1 is a seamless shift backward. It isn’t easy trying to return to a story 20 years later and latch onto it, but Christos Gage is the master of tie-ins. Throughout multiple events, Gage created stories that focused on characters. This is another example of that, with a unique opening. The way it fits flawlessly into the original scene is incredible, whilst exploring and highlighting why Stark fought so hard to pass and enforce the SRA, because he’s seen firsthand what happens if he doesn’t.

Civil War Unmasked Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.