Awesome. Now get rid of Cassaday and keep it Volume Three, as in no renumbering it and calling it Volume Four (Like the fans are gonna forget everything when Issue 13 comes out...) and we've got a book I'll be reading.
Oh man. What can I say? I think I’ll start with something personal. This is the first comic book I’ve ever bought. As in paid $2.99 for. Every other thing I know about comic books and the characters is all from reviews and spoilers and previews. Everything. But now, with House of M, I’ve began a trek into the rather expensive comic verse for a fourteen year old boy. And for my first comic book, House of M delivered. And it delivered well. For the review, I’ll mention now that there will be tons of spoilers. I plan on covering what I loved, and then continuing on towards specific things that bugged me, and then finally a brief overall view of the comic.
For starter’s, the art was amazing. I’ll be a happy man if Olivier Coipel took on Astonishing after Cassaday…unfortunately, I think Cassaday’s signed on for the next year of Astonishing. Aside from three panels maximum, there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t like of Olivier’s work. It’s rather astonishing, if you don’t mind the pun. It’s certainly better than what Marvel’s got Cassaday pumping out. From the birth scene to the devastated Genosha, Olivier has one me. I truly love his art, and since the X-Books are dominated by Bachalo, Larroca, and Cassaday, (and I don’t want Olivier thrown onto Academy X), we won’t be seeing him with the X-Men any longer. So let’s cherish this one, eh?
A continuation on the art, if you don’t mind. The cover, though not Olivier’s, I think, was nice. I specifically didn’t like some parts of it, but it’s certainly nicer than the one with the Scarlet Witch’s face breaking up. Now I know a lot of fans wanted that one, instead of having stinky Wolverine on it, but this cover emphasized the thing that was touched on in this issue: the X-Men and the Avengers are teamed up. Now for the nitpicky things about the cover: Gambit is on it. I’m sorry, but doesn’t the cover boast “Astonishing X-Men/New Avengers”?
And the next thing that bothers me is the Beast. I know people miss the old monkey Beast…but this is too much. I mean…it’s the old Beast! Sure, I love the old Beast, but broadcasting him on the cover of this summer’s biggest event? I think not Joe Q…reconsider. I see some sort of line that MAY try to show the “cat” mouth, but its nothing like the emphasis Cassaday puts. I don’t like that every character with the ability to fly can fly…and a) Warbird has her old costume on (I believe she wears some new armor), but I’ve always preferred this costume, and b) The Falcon doesn’t look his most familiar. It’s almost like the way we can’t recognize Northstar from his own funeral statue.
And as usual, Wolverine hogs the cover. Anything new?
Art I especially loved: the birth scene. At first, if ANYONE didn’t read the previews, I mean you’d think Wanda was abducted by aliens and being experimented on. I wish they didn’t show the head of the baby coming out, but whatever. Not like anyone knew “omigosh it’s the baby” or anything. On page two, it’s rather interesting to see the Scarlet Witch surrounded by Cyclops, which is weird. Like, why is Cyclops there? And on TOP of that, Elektra is there! The world’s GREATEST assassin witnessing the birth of the second generation of Maximoff twins? Pietro is there, understandably, and then at the foot of the bed is either Magneto or Jarvis. It’s probably Magneto…so why isn’t Scott blasting his head off? Ahh, but of course, it’s only Wanda’s powers. Going haywire AGAIN. I specifically like everything fading and blowing away as she returns the world to normal. And the rose petals of this scene are to die for.
One nitpicky: Magneto’s head is too small. Anyone who has read this understands. That’s all I’m saying on this topic. The destroyed Genosha looks chilling…yet the beauty of the sunset adds sooooo much. And basically, I don’t want to stretch this TOO MUCH, I mean since its my first comic book I’m stressing this art thing way too much. I guess when I’ve spent a thousand dollars on comic books I’ll realize the art isn’t everything :P. Anyway, I love the way Emma Frost is drawn. It’s not Sal Larroca’s Barbie Emma and not Cassaday’s Wicked Witch Emma. It’s SUCH a good change…she looks truly beautiful and IN CHARACTER. All of the characters are drawn brilliantly and unique. Olivier has become my favorite artist…ever.
One of my favorite things? Wanda in bed, sleeping, or rather, sedated by Xavier. Oh dear…it’s GORGEOUS. She looks so beautiful for a crazy mutant…I’m really loving Olivier. And his work on the emotional Erik/Pietro conversation fits PERFECTLY. I’m loving it…On a last note of the art: Colossus looks stupid in his uniform when he’s not metal.
The writing…Bendis is awesome. I know an acquaintance of mine on the KMC forums simply hates Bendis, but one of the most powerful pieces I’ve ever seen done with Emma was in House of M. I mean, the confrontation with Captain America is GLORIOUS. And I love the way Emma doesn’t care when Kitty cuts her off. She continues her story, her speech. And it’s amazing. Spidey’s quirky humor is done cutely, and it fits nice. The way the issue makes you sad, I love how Spidey just saves the day. It’s quite cute and adorable. The Avengers, unfortunately, are playing blind. I love how Wolverine says, roughly, “How many more of you does she have to kill before you open your eyes?”. It makes so much sense.
I found it rather interesting that Logan wants to kill Wanda. The dialogue in the book is done SO WELL I can’t explain it. Emma’s explanation of what would happen if the public finds out a mutant is behind Avengers: Disassembled…oh man, I’ve never seen such logic. It’s CRAZY how much I’m guffawing in this book at every come back. A particularly funny scene is Wolverine eating pizza when Cap gets in his light. He looks rather ruffled…and its hilarious. It’s rather interesting to see him not shoving his claws into Cap for the attitude…he’s got two bosses in this series and a gazillion more everywhere else. I love it.
Oh, yeah, and Emma should be a lawyer.
The MUST BE REFERENCED TO Pietro and Erik scene. It’s definitely film worthy. I can’t explain to you how real it seemed…I’m really liking Bendis’ work. When Magneto explains killing Wanda may be the only way, and Pietro does the psycho fast scream, I honestly gasped. It’s so…rich. Full of flavor. Full of LIFE. FULL OF EVERYTHING. It’s sad. Looking it at right now, tears are almost welling up. It’s so emotional, and it’s so perfect. It’s not over the top, it’s not fake, and it’s so easy to understand the situation both of these men, both of these mutants are in. And it’s a terrible choice.
Some interesting things: Cyclops tells the Avengers to let Emma lead everyone. How weird is that? It’s certainly…eyebrow raise worthy. And that’s about it. Seeing Peter with Gwen is adorable. I never liked Mary Jane…she was always being run away this and deny the proposal that. It was getting annoying. House of M: Spider Man might actually be worth it for Gwen.
And that’s it. My first and favorite comic book. For a long time. I can’t begin to say how much I’ve loved this issue…and I must regret to say this is incredibly bias. I’m going to remember this FOREVER, House of M, my first comic book. And I must admit, its something I will always love. The art was amazing: thank you Marvel for assigning Olivier to this and not…well, Cassaday. The writing was gorgeous, thank you Marvel for Bendis. For once I don’t want Joss Whedon on something. And the book, in its entirety, is the greatest. Thank you, Marvel.
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Gender: Male Location: Davie, Florida, United States
Well I'm heading to my (not very) local comic book store to pick up the #2 Rise of the Imperfects, House of M, and maybe AoA, or this weird Phoenix saga Thingie.
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Jun 10th, 2005 02:14 AM
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