Why Cap? The Civil War series breakdown.....

SOURCE: Thanks to Wikipedia!

"Civil War is a Marvel Comics summer 2006 and winter 2007 crossover event, based around a core limited series of the same name written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven. The work builds upon events appearing in previous Marvel crossovers, particularly Avengers Disassembled, House of M and Decimation. Some story elements are the result of the limited series Secret War. The tagline for the series is Whose Side Are You On?


Overview

The premise of the Civil War storyline is the introduction of a Superhuman Registration Act in the United States. Similar acts have been used as literary devices in Watchmen, Uncanny X-Men, DC: The New Frontier, Powers and The Incredibles. Millar has said:

“ I opted instead for making the superhero dilemma something a little different. People thought they were dangerous, but they didn't want a ban. What they wanted was superheroes paid by the federal government like cops and open to the same kind of scrutiny. It was the perfect solution and nobody, as far as I'm aware, has done this before.”

The act requires any person in the United States with superhuman abilities to register with the federal government, (which includes revealing his/her true identity to the authorities), and receive proper training. Those who sign also have the option of working for S.H.I.E.L.D., earning a salary and benefits such as those earned by other American civil servants. Characters within the superhuman community in the Marvel Universe split into two groups: one group advocating the registration as a responsible obligation and the other group opposing the law on the grounds that it violates civil rights and the protection that secret identities provide. Some compare the act to a form of slavery. Others compare it to the way police and soldiers must operate. The genesis for this idea sprang from conversations between Mark Millar, Brian Michael Bendis, and Bryan Hitch.[2] Within the story the adoption of sides by characters builds into the titular "civil war". Although the series can be read as allegorical commentary in the wake of 9/11 and The Patriot Act, writer Mark Millar has noted:

“ The political allegory is only for those that are politically aware. Kids are going to read it and just see a big superhero fight.

Marvel announced in August 2006 that the main Civil War book would be pushed back several months to accommodate artist Steve McNiven. The schedule had issue #4 being released one month late, in September, while issue #5 was released two months later in November. Furthermore, various tie-in books including the Civil War: Front Line mini-series and tie-in issues of other comics were delayed several months so as not to spoil any plot twists.

In late November, Marvel announced another delay, this time due to strep throat. Civil War #6, once scheduled for release in December 20, had been pushed back two weeks and was released in January 4. Unlike the last time, only one tie-in was delayed, that being The Punisher War Journal #2. Furthermore, Civil War #7 was also pushed back two weeks from January 17 to January 31. and then pushed back again until the 21st of February.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The New Warriors battle a group of villains (Cobalt Man, Speedfreek, Coldheart, Nitro) in Stamford, Connecticut while filming a reality television show. Nitro explodes, killing more than 600 people (including school children and all of the New Warriors except Speedball). The rest of the superheroes appear in Stamford to search for survivors. Public opinion against superhumans turns, giving momentum to the Superhuman Registration Act days later. Angry civilians attack the Human Torch outside of a club.

After Captain America refuses to join a S.H.I.E.L.D. strikeforce created to fight all superhumans in violation of the act, he becomes a fugitive and forms an underground resistance called the "Secret Avengers". This team includes Hercules, Falcon, and Danny Rand, (who is acting as Daredevil). Luke Cage and the Young Avengers also join. Tony Stark (Iron Man), who supports the act, organizes registered superhumans and makes plans to support the act with Reed Richards and Hank Pym. Spider-Man unmasks himself at a press conference at Stark's behest as a show of support for the act. The X-Men declare their official neutrality in the conflict.

A large battle between the two sides culminates in the appearance of a cyborg clone of Thor, who kills the Secret Avenger Bill Foster. Sue Richards, a member of Stark's team, defends the Secret Avengers from the Thor clone's lightning blast, giving them a chance to escape. In the fight's aftermath, several Secret Avengers leave to join Stark. Meanwhile, Johnny Storm and Sue Richards join Captain America. Stark, Richards, and Pym draft the Thunderbolts to their cause.

After contemplating the brutal death of Bill Foster and touring the Pro-Registration prison facilities in the Negative Zone, [12] Spider-Man decides that he has made a mistake, and after a battle with Stark and the Thunderbolts, he escapes and joins the Secret Avengers.

The Secret Avengers break into the Negative Zone prison, where Hulkling, who has been disguised as Hank Pym, releases the imprisoned heroes from their cells to join the fight.Cloak teleports the combatants to New York City, where Namor and an army of Atlanteans arrive to fight alongside the Secret Avengers, whereas the Champions, the Thor clone, and Captain Marvel reinforce Stark's team. As Captain America is about to deliver a final blow to Stark, policemen, EMTs, and firefighters try to hold him back. Realizing how much damage the fight has cost the very people he wishes to protect, Captain America orders his team to stand down, and he surrenders.

In the aftermath of the event, the President of the United States grants general amnesty to all those who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act (except Captain America who is sent to jail and killed en route to a federal court); Tony Stark is appointed as the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D., demoting Maria Hill to deputy status; the 50-State Initiative, which puts a superhero team in every state, launches; and the Mighty Avengers assemble as a new team. Some heroes choose to move to Canada (resulting in the creation of the second Omega Flight), and some stay underground, including the New Avengers."