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Done right, that kind of thing can be used to explore character...but more likely it'll be a continuity wallow.
Well, in a way, it will explore character - though through the characters' innermost desires. According to an article in Wizard Magazine, Magneto will have Wanda grant the heroes' hearts' desires. It's implied that Magneto will know what the heroes want through Xavier's telepathy. Thus in issue #2 Peter Parker's Uncle Ben is alive and well, Peter's a popular wealthy celeberity, married to Gwen Stacy, and they have a young son. Scott and Emma are happily living together in Hartford, Conneticut, without the stressors of leading the X-Men or administering to the school and guiding the next generation of young mutants into adulthood. Carol Danvers becomes Ms. Marvel, the world's greatest superhero...etc. What people want the most says a lot about their personalities. In Peter's case, a lot of what he wants is understandable: fame, fortune, having his beloved Uncle Ben alive and in his life. The stickler is that he's married to Gwen Stacey, which some fans interpret to mean that he still loves Gwen more than Mary Jane. My take on it is that this fantasy life with Gwen represents what might have been. Gwen was his first love, and due to her tragic death she and Peter never got to fulfill the promise and potential of that relationship. As much as Peter loves MJ, and I think he's deeply in love with his wife, a part of him will always wonder what could have been had Gwen lived. Hence, this alternate HOM universe is allowing him to explore that - that love that was unrealized, that road that was not taken.
I take this to mean putting things back to status quo?
So, predictions of the ramifications of House of M, anyone?
The article in Wizard stated that Marvel has guaranteed that one of the following possible scenarios will happen at the conclusion of HOM:
1) The number of mutants living on Earth will be reduced from over 60,000 to 300 maximum, returing the X-Men to their familiar perch on the edge of extinction.
2) The Ultimate and regular Marvel Universes will merge and become one, tying into the events of Ultimate Fantastic Four.
3) Thor, the deceased Asgardian God of Thunder, will make his triumphant return to the land of the living after kicking Magneto's tyrannical ass.
4) Dr. Strange, the only man powerful enough to stop Scarlet Witch in "Avengers Dissembled," saves the day but pays the ultimate price. He'll be replaced by Wanda, Sorceress Supreme.
5) Peter Parker will no longer be married to Mary Jane.
6) Daredevil's secret identity becomes secret again.
HOM #3 came out today. Since I'm in Canada, we weren't affected by the July 4th holiday and got our books on time. Issue #3 is supposedly the issue that would "break the internet in half," according to Bendis. After having read it, I have to say, "Meh." In my opinion, it's rather lackluster and predictable.
Spoilers:
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Wolverine's heart desire was to rememeber everything that ever happened to him. As a result, he remembers the original 616 universe. Puzzled by the changes in the HOM world, he goes on a one man rampage across New York state looking for answers. He is chased by his SHIELD team (in this HOM universe, Wolverine is the Head of SHIELD) which is lead by his lover, Mystique. About to be caught, Cloak whisks him away at the proverbial last minute. He is then confronted by Luc Cage and his merry band of rebels of the Human/Sapien Resistance movement. The ending splash page reveals that Hawkeye is alive and a member and/or possibly leader of the underground group.
I didn't go into HOM expecting great things. I thought of it as the equivalent of the summer popcorn flick - fun and frothy entertainment. Thus far though, HOM is really not living up to expectations. Three issues in and about $12 CDN spent, and we've had two issues of set-up and one issue of chase scenes. I think I'm going to give HOM one more try, if it doesn't improve, I'm bailing. |
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