Comic Review: House of X #1

House of X #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jonathan Hickman

Artist: Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia

X-Men has easily been one of the most inaccessible Marvel lines for quite some time now. I’m not saying that it hasn’t been friendly to new readers, because there have been many fine jumping on points for beginners. The problem with X-Men is that the good stuff is always buried in a mountain of confusing mediocrity. I love the X-Men, and getting my hopes up constantly sparked by cool ideas, only to have them shattered regularly has worn me down. This time, the hope feels different. 

Jonathan Hickman is in charge now, and while that doesn’t guarantee success for the X-Men, it sure does feel like it does. The Hickman era begins with two mini-series, House of X and Powers of X. House of X #1 gives us a look at the future for mutant-kind, and boy is it interesting. I don’t want to spoil too much, because most of the magic in this issue is the discovery. The first act establishes the new plan for the mutants, while the second and third are full of action and tension. Hickman doesn’t drown the reader with tons of mutants and instead puts the spotlight on a few key characters. House of X flows incredibly well, with nothing feeling rushed or cluttered.

The characters are interesting and dynamic, and from an outsiders perspective, there is no clear “good guy” in this issue. Sure, readers are expected to cheer for the mutants, but they have a threatening presence in this book that is simply intimidating to outsiders.

This debut respects the reader’s intelligence while ensuring that they understand just enough to enjoy the comic. New readers will find plenty of pages that clear things up, making this a fine starting point for those who don’t aren’t familiar with the lore. This isn’t a perfect debut for beginners, but it is certainly enough to draw interest. 

While Hickman’s structure is great, this debut issue isn’t without its flaws. The middle act isn’t quite as entertaining as the rest, as Hickman and company establish an ominous organization. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with the introduction of the group, but the scene was just sort of dull. This is especially so when you consider how it is surrounded by constant spectacle and awe.

Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia’s art does a superb job at matching Hickman’s writing. Larraz is no stranger to mutants, and I previously praised him for his superb work in Extermination. Like Extermination, not a single panel feels rushed, and there is an incredible amount of detail given to the mutants. The scenes are framed in just the right way to complement the writing and give every moment a significant amount of weight.

Larraz’s art is once again brought to life by Gracia’s beautiful colors. The settings, in particular, are brimming with detail, with lush colors filling the panels. Not a single bit of space is wasted in House of X #1. Gracia doesn’t quite get the praise that he deserves, but he is starting to establish himself as one of the best in the industry. 

House of X #1 is bold and smart. More importantly, it is entertaining and awe-inspiring. For the first time in a while, X-Men fans will find themselves with a sense of hope that doesn’t feel hollow. This issue isn’t perfect, but it is simply one of the best X-Men experiences in nearly a decade. 

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