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Is Marvel Comics Making A #BlackLivesMatter Analogy With Civil War II? (Possible Spoilers)

Published Sun, 10 Jul 2016 09:00:12 -0500

Last updated Sun, 10 Jul 2016 10:02:45 -0500

Much of this is based upon speculation, half-heard rumour and joining plenty of dots. Feel free to use a shedload of salt while reading this article (if you can call it that) and to treat it as an imposter.

Bleeding Cool has been speculating as to the possible big plot twist of Civil War II #3. And after a House-style false start, we settled on the concept that we might see Bruce Banner shot in the head with an arrow by Hawkeye to protect the perceived future as seen by Ulysses.

Despite the recent issues of Totally Awesome Hulk emphasising that the Hulk has gone from Banner, and is not triggered by levels of stress and anger, Hawkeye won't believe that. And will do what he sees as necessary.

Marvel Comics has been keen to describe Ulysses' powers in ways that haven't been used for other precogs as "profiling the future." Stark has also raised the idea that Ulysses is victim to his own biases and points of view when reporting the future as well.

This is something Tony Stark is dead set against, despite having done exactly the same thing in the past himself. But this is a different time, and Marvel is reflecting concerns right now.

Specifically, that African Americans are being racially profiled by police and targeted as a result despite actual circumstances, and being killed. Shot, as a result of fear and prejudice. And giving rise to the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

So Hawkeye will murder Banner, based on information that may be biased or faulty. Seeing a danger, a glance, a move, that he responds to. Using that judgement as his rationale, despite the reality. Getting off, with a divided public backing him or condemning him. And actually justifying the Civil War tag.

Marvel has always tried to be topical, address the issues of the day, and as recent events have brought it to the top of the news headlines, they may well be more relevant than ever before. Will it work?

As long as they don't do something silly like use the phrase #GreenLivesMatter, then maybe. America's actual Civil War focussed on the rights of black Americans. Maybe Civil War II is about the current state of play.

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