The Marvel universe will become a divided one in 2006.

Marvel Comics' big event for the new year is "Civil War" — "probably the biggest event in comics history," says Marvel editor in chief Joe Quesada.

Over the years, Quesada says, Marvel's heroes have become increasingly embraced by the public — even the hard-luck Spider-Man. That's going to change with "Civil War."

The key events will take place in a seven-issue miniseries by writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven. Its repercussions, however, will be felt throughout Marvel's core titles.

The story finds people in power deciding the concept of a Mutant Registration Act — requiring all mutants, heroes and otherwise, to be registered — should be expanded to all superheroes.

"Each hero can be considered a potential weapon of mass destruction," Quesada points out. "So why not license them?" The key question is one that's echoed in current events: Which is more important, our security or our civil rights?

"There's going to be a huge division in the Marvel universe in respect to this," Quesada says.

A special in March, "New Avengers: Illuminati," serves as a prelude to the big event and stars many of Marvel's key movers and shakers, including Mr. Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange, Tony "Iron Man" Stark and the X-Men's Professor X.

A major storyline in "Incredible Hulk," which finds the Hulk stranded on a distant world, also plays a key role in "Civil War," Quesada says.

Also in 2006: