HOUSE OF M: SPIDER-MAN #1

By: Kurt Amacker
Review Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2005

The world created by Erik Lensherr Magneto to keep the X-Men and the Avengers from executing Wanda Maximoff his daughter, the Scarlet Witch gives each hero what they want most, all in a world where mutants dominate and humanity dwindles. The fantasy world pacifies the heroes a la the Matrix, rather than suppressing them with force. Thus far, only Wolverine realizes that something is very wrong. HOUSE OF M: SPIDER-MAN stands as the first character-specific HOUSE OF M miniseries of the several planned, and it is very, very good.

In the HOUSE OF M world, Peter Parker couldn't be happier. As one of the richest mutants in the world (yes, in this world, he's a mutie), he has everything he wants a multibillion dollar corporation called Spider-Man, Inc., a wife in Gwen Stacy (with her father around), a child, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben all very much alive. To sweeten the deal, J. Jonah Jameson works as his publicist, and Parker treats him like dog crap.

Mark Waid and Tom Peyer have assembled a world in which all of Peter's regrets have been resolved. He lives without the guilt that encumbers him in his regular life. This pains the reader, knowing that while his misery has been alleviated, it will likely come crashing down on him (or will it?). And yet, Waid makes it quite clear that Peter's suffering in his old life made him a better man with qualities his HOUSE OF M counterpart sorely lacks humility and empathy. His arrogance and abject cruelty towards Jameson may prove to be his undoing, if the final scene is any indication. In his fantasy world, he has everything he's ever wanted and he is less of a man for it.

Salvador Larroca and Danny Miki pencils and inks, respectively have drawn a detailed world populated with colorful mutants that outnumber their homo sapien counterparts. Unfortunately, a few of the faces look a bit malformed, but it's never a great distraction. The colors by Liquid! (whomever or whatever that is) look muted and natural, including some faux chalk and watercolor patterns. The opening scenes with Gwen in bed are just beautiful and while Peter watches her sleep, his saddened expression hints at what the reader already knows something is very wrong, and this dream will not last.

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