The original Marvel Civil War was one of the reasons I got back into comics after a few years away. There was something special about the event that had me hooked into comics and now it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary. So, it’s no surprise that I was eagerly awaiting Civil War: Unmasked. Written by Christos Gage, illustrated by Edgar Salazar, and colored by Morry Hollowell, Civil War: Unmasked is a perfect way to revisit the original event without taking away from the impact of that time, while also giving us stellar storytelling.
An urgent mission from Bishop takes Tony Stark into the Days of Future Past, where the revelation of the apocalyptic future changes everything Tony thought he knew about the consequences of the Superhuman Registration Act.
Every few years, when I get a free reading moment, which is rare, I open up the Civil War trade paperback and give it another read. Each time, I am reminded on why it got me back into comics. It’s a superhero story that is filled with action, emotion, and a ton of tension. This feeling has been hard to replicate over the past number of years in big two comics, at least personally. What Gage was able to accomplish with Unmasked gives me those feels once again.
Civil War: Unmasked is a way to see these great moments from the original miniseries but in a new light with an expanded and deeper exploration. A perfect way to celebrate 20 years. This first issue gives more depth and meaning to why Tony Stark goes so far to pass the Superhuman Registration Act by exploring a moment with Bishop unseen in the original series. The motivations within Tony’s mind are given way more story by revisiting this moment in time (or in the future) without hurting the continuity of the original series.
Gage expands on what we already know by taking a moment or two in the original event and working a story within and around it to expand on the overall story and reasonings behind some decisions and actions. This could’ve easily felt forced or shoehorned into the event, but feels so organic and blends perfectly into the story. What Gage has done is created a must-read chapter in the Civil War series, 20 years after the release.
This premiere issue also sees the involvement of a more of the Marvel characters in overall Civil War event that we may not of seen or seen as much of when first release in the early 2000s. All while using important storylines or plots from various moments over the history of Marvel to form a cohesive and truly wonderful new story.
The artwork feels just like it popped out of the original Civil War series. Salazar’s illustrations capture the feeling, vibe, and overall design of what you’d expect opening a Civil War comic. This is helped by the colors by Hollowell, who was the original colorist on the early 2000s series. This all helped make Civil War: Unmasked must-read Civil War material.
Civil War: Unmasked feels like that rare anniversary story that actually adds something meaningful to the original event instead of just revisiting it for nostalgia’s sake. Writer Christos Gage, illustrator Edgar Salazar, and colorist Morry Hollowell craft a story that slips seamlessly into the original Civil War timeline while giving Tony Stark’s motivations far more emotional weight and even clarity. Civil War: Unmasked is now a must-read chapter that perfectly expands the original Civil War arc without damaging its legacy.
Civil War: Unmasked #1 hit local comic shops on April 29, 2026 from Marvel Comics.
Civil War: Unmasked #1 Preview
