Front Line follows two very distinct storylines from Marvel's massive Civil War event. In one, Robbie "Speedball" Baldwin, the only survivor from the blundering team of heroes that caused the Stamford disaster, faces the consequences of his actions. In the other, Daily Bugle report Ben Urich and The Alternative reporter Sally Floyd follow the events of Civil War as they try to present the news -- and the longer view of superhero registration -- to the public.

This book presents a more oblique view of the big events of Civil War. As a news reporter myself, I'm often amused by the comic-book portrayal of a reporter's work; they rarely get it right, any more than TV shows present an accurate picture of police investigations and hospital emergency rooms. But in this case, it feels pretty right -- as accurate as you can hope to be assuming a war among superheroes in the streets of your hometown. Urich in particular is always an entertaining character, and it's nice to see him in the limelight for a change.

As for Speedball, the former hero has a hell of a time. Universally blamed for the deaths in Stamford, he bears the brunt of retribution from law enforcement officials and fellow inmates alike. The book takes readers along as the government attempts to broker a deal to employ a contrite Speedball as the poster child for superhero registration. Only problem is, Speedball doesn't feel he has anything to be sorry for.

Short vignettes scattered throughout the book draw comparisons between Marvel's Civil War and other wars through history. Although well-meaning, they add little to the overall package -- and perhaps at some level images of superheroes duking it out belittle the scenes of actual combat and suffering.

Front Line doesn't carry the flash and drama of some other books in the Civil War package, but it does provide interesting and vital pieces of the overall picture.