No More Mutants.

In what is likely the most cataclysmic Marvel event to effect the X-Men in the mid 2000s. Marvel’s House of M is filled with rich character development and competent storytelling capabilities that impact just about everyone in the Marvel Universe. Let’s find out why this event has all of the characteristics of a classic on Gaber’s Two Cents.

The story starts on a dour note. Former Avenger, Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, is losing her grip on her sanity, and reality itself. After a mental breakdown during a battle which cost the lives of three of her fellow teammates, Hawkeye, Vision, and Ant-Man. This puts both the X-Men and The Avengers in a difficult predicament. How can one contain a mutant with reality bending powers that can’t comprehend reality herself. It’s a confounding dilemma that puts all of the Marvel Universe at great risk.

Writer Brian Michael Bendis uses this philosophical plot mechanic with great poise, with dueling ideals of right and wrong taking center stage. It’s intriguing to see such different hero personalities clash over their unique ideologies in such a situation. Highlights of this diplomatic exchange occur when Captain America deflects Wolverines motivation to simply kill the Scarlet Witch. It’s tiny moments like these that make this world feel lived in, and make this story feel alive and relevant.

All of these exchanges are greatly elevated by illustrator Olivier Coipel’s mature take on these characters. Drawing them with realistic depictions that intensify the most minute facial twitches and mannerisms, it helps to reflect each heroes divided opinions on the issue at hand. Even characters like Spider-Man and Iron man, who wear masks to conceal their identities, are given expression through the tiniest artistic details. It sells the idea that these characters are truly out of their depth when dealing with one of their own, which in turn elevates the material as a whole.

Praise must be given to writer Brian Michael Bendis with his tense and accurately portrayed dialogue of mental illness. Each exchange involving the Scarlet Witch is dramatic and thrilling. With most of the situations providing a prominent feeling of dread, which the reader simply cannot shake. Most of these affairs occur when Professor X, leader of the X-Men, continuously enters the Scarlet Witches mind to evaluate her psyche. With one scene in particular in the stories opening pages being a notable example. Surrounded by the team members who she unintentionally murdered, Wanda gives birth to twins, before the panel reveals Professor X in the corner of Wanda’s mind, begging Scarlet Witch to snap out of her own twisted illusion. With mental health being a tricky subject, it’s nice to know that the subject was handled with care and respect, rather than relying on cheap shock value.

When the plot fully begins to take off, all of the heroes wake up in a near “perfect” world, where every hero receives their inner wishes and desires within their own personal lives. The only hero who wakes up in this new world with his old memories intact, is no other than The Wolverine. Wolverine is the perfect protagonist for this tale since he has a stake in both the world of humans and mutants, since being a member of both The Avengers and the X-Men. His usual reluctant and cutthroat attitude fit the central plot perfectly and puts Wolverine front and center in reuniting the heroes of a forgotten world.

With every hero given their own unique ideal life, it’s both thrilling and somber to regain the knowledge of the lives they have lost. A perfect example that strikes this unique balance is when Wolverine helps Spider-Man to regain his memories. Spider-Man’s ideal life involves being married to his long lost love Gwen Stacy and having two children with her. It’s also revealed that his uncle, Ben Parker, is alive as well. When Spider-Man realizes it is all a façade, the pain in this realization is apparent. Even with the two he loves most finally back within his life, he still understands that all of this is bigger than himself, and knows the right thing to do is to join Wolverine’s newly formed team to take down Scarlet Witch. Spider-Man has been around for over sixty years, and it’s moments like these that exemplify just how relevant his character still is today. Not to mention, this personal sacrifice personifies his greatest lesson of all, with great power comes great responsibility.

With Wolverine’s team fully assembled, they take the fight straight to Scarlet Witch, but not before X-Men member, Cyclops, gives a rousing speech that would make even Captain America blush. With his red reflective shades seducing the readers eyes, Cyclops goes on to explain that holding back is not an option. With every punch thrown, every drop of blood, keep fighting no matter what, because if we lose this battle, we lose everything. It’s a moment that would give even casual fans goosebumps and helps to exemplify just how much is at stake. Not to mention, it being completely badass.

The battle is drawn in great detail, with each respective hero getting their chance to shine. A notable moment occurs when Magneto, father of Scarlet Witch, regains the memories of his past life. Enraged that his daughter would commit such an act, Magneto takes the battle over and shows why he is the master of magnetism. The power that Magneto puts on display is undeniable, and sets up a perfect father/daughter showdown that’s aftermath changes everything. With Scarlet Witch finally being put over the edge by her father, three words alone alter the Marvel Universe for years to come, no more mutants.

When the dust settles, the world that the heroes knew is finally given back to them. However, one change remains. With Scarlet Witches last words before restoring what once was, the mutant population is now exponentially depleted, with only the core X-Men members retaining there abilities. It’s a shocking twist that not only was unexpected, but shows just how much of a threat Scarlet Witch was in the first place. Brian Michael Bendis didn’t shy away from the world shattering ramifications of this event, and it’s all the better for it.

All in all, House of M is a tale of letting go, fighting for what we have now, rather than desiring what we cannot regain. Rebuilding starts with hope, no matter how shaky the foundation may be, this story demonstrates hope will always burn brighter. All of that and more is why House of M received this particular Cent Score.

Cent Score: 5 Cents

A creative triumph that has it all, perfection never looked so good.

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