Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Olivir Coipel
Inker: Tim Townsend
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
A few months ago, a little known character by the name of the Scarlet Witch did something unthinkable. A flash of white light, and the world had changed. Every mutant was seemingly living a charmed life, and humans were under the thumb of the ruler of the known world, Magneto.
House of M as a title, up until this point in time has been an interesting look into this world, but with the action moving at a snail’s pace, it’s hard to really feel anything. There are only two books left, so I can assume that the rest of this review will be filled with dramatic explanation and big action. This is where the magic happens. Prepare yourself.
…
I’m not kidding here! Go get a security blanket, or a gun, or something!!!!!
GO!
STORY!
Real quick – the Mutants rule the world, and Magneto is their leader.
A new chick named Layla Miller has the power to make people realize what their old lives were.
The team of remembered heroes goes and charges Magneto’s palace after finding that Charles Xavier is proclaimed dead, but is actually just missing.
That was all we’ve gained over the prior 6 issues. Easily condensed down to two, but now that we are at the end – let’s find out how this story ends so we can get on with the results of this EARTH SHATTERING EVENT!
While the X-Men, remaining Avengers, and the rest are holding Magneto and the team of world leaders at bay – Doctor Strange takes a meeting with Scarlet Witch. How is she holding up, what’s the dilly with this whole world changing, and who is REALLY alive or dead, and who is just in her head?!
Through Dr. Strange’s viewing an earlier scene from issue #1 of House of M, we learn who the conspirator behind this entire crazed adventure has been. I sat for a long time with this paragraph because I could tell you who did it… or I couldn’t. Are people reading this review to validate their opinion of the book, to summarize, or to find out if they should bother?! I don’t know. So, this following paragraph is going to reveal the rest of the plot in a spoilerific way. If you are not interested in knowing, don’t highlight it and then I’ll get to my opinion of it.
Quicksilver did it while Scarlet Witch was being probed by Xavier. Syphoning Xavier’s mindpower and her witchiness, they made the House of M. Who Xavier is now? I’m predicting Layla Miller.
So now that they are breaking it down, the story is enjoyable! I just wish they had sped it up. This has easily been the best of a tepid crossover, and the repercussions are becoming obvious. If the final issue gives us some more telling pieces of information, like Magneto’s status as a corporeal being, and where Xavier is, I’ll be able to give this story a high B-.
ART!
The art of House of M has been… fine. Coipel does a great looking natural superhero without cartoony overtones. Nobody is a perfect bodyshape, and the way he draws facial expressions is exactly what you need to be focusing on this book. The fear in Witch’s eyes, the rage in Hawkeye’s, and the pain in Pietro’s. It is all there for you to enjoy.
The treat of this series has been the coloring job. If you pay attention to every scene with Scarlet Witch, there is a red wash to the backgrounds which is ideal. As the book slowly but surely fades to white, it feels drastic and unreal, as it should.
OVERALL!
House of M versus Infinite Crisis.
That is what I think of when I consider either. They both are ‘world changing’ and they both are involving a major part of the universe they inhabit. Where Crisis feels that it needs to involve every title in some way, and tie-in everything – Marvel keeps House of M a seperate title, and even the tie-in books are all seperate minis.
House of M feels as if it’s disjointed from the real continuity, and the story tie-ins have been better than the actual main book. With the exception of this issue and the first, House of M has been disappointing.
I guess I’m rambling on, but this was good! I approve! I wished the rest of the story had been like this! WHY COULDN’T HAVE ALL BEEN GOOD!?!!??! WHY!
