CIVIL WAR was actually the French Revolution

[Van Plexico]

For some reason I found myself thinking about Marvel's CIVIL WAR and
related subjects after one of my History courses the other day, and it
occurred to me that CIVIL WAR was not so much analogous to the
American Civil War as it was to the French Revolution. I think I'll
be using this at some of my convention panels this year! :-) But
here's an overview of what I have so far. I'm sure there are other
points I've missed. I expound:

1. A long-time status quo (Bourbon France / Marvel Earth) is suddenly
disrupted by domestic outcries and protests ("we want bread!" / "no
more unrestrained super hero violence").

2. A well-meaning technocrat (Robespierre / Tony Stark) rises to power
with a vow to find a way to restore law and order and public safety
(the Committee of Public Safety / the Registration Act).

3. A domestic civil war ensues, ending with the most prominent
defender of the old status quo and traditional system (Louis XVI /
Captain America) being killed.

4. Many loyal domestic citizens are nonetheless rounded up by the
government (aristocrats / super heroes).

5. The well-meaning technocrat (Robespierre / Stark) loses the
public's confidence and falls from power in the midst of an external
invasion (Austria, etc attacking France / Skrull invasion).

6. A charismatic and ambitious dictator emerges (Norman Osborn /
Napoleon Bonaparte) and gains public favor by way of a dramatic and
violent act ("the kill shot" on the Skrull queen / a "whiff of
grapeshot" fired at a rebelling mob, among other acts).

7. The dictator sets up his own system for maintaining his power
(Napoleon's bureaucracy and "Code Napoleon" / H.A.M.M.E.R.).

8. The dictator puts his own kind into positions of power and
influence (Napoleon's brothers and sisters / super villains).

9. The dictator begins to lose his grip on power after an ill-advised
and disastrous attack on a foreign power (invasion of Russia / attack
on Asgard).

10. It ends with the restoration of the old order (the Bourbons are
brought back / Captain America returns from the dead).

So I suppose one moral of the story is, "Don't exile Norman to Elba.
Go ahead and send him straight to St. Helena!" :-)

--Van

[Michael Bailey]

That was awesome.

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[sh...@onceuponageek.com]

Wow.  There are some freaky parallels there.

The Irredeemable Shag
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