Upon hearing that I hadn’t read comics in decades a coworker made it his duty to get me up to speed with some of the more important/best stories that were published. Knowing I was a fan of the X-Men when I was younger, he handed me House of X/Powers of X with only a warning that it was quite a change from what I may be familiar with. Boy was I thrown for a loop.

Setup as a reboot of the X-Men, Hickman’s story takes us through 1,000 years (and then some) of mutant kinds new struggles with man as they seek to unite and thrive in their new home of Krakoa. Of course, a lot like Ian Malcolm’s famous quote from Jurassic Park, “Life finds a way.”

Only this time it might be mankind finds a way because it seems as soon as the mutants find a way to tip the scales in their favor, man finds a way to tip them back. We’re tenacious like that, I guess.

Hickman truly swings for the fence with this story purposefully changing a lot in the process which I’m fully on board with. We didn’t need to see another variation of the norm when it came to the X-Men origin story, and this didn’t disappoint. However, the reader has to suspend disbelief on more than one occasion and connect a few far-reaching dots to make it happen.

I know, it’s a comic book. To Charles’ benefit, he does put his money where his mind is.

Going along with that, however, is the lack of tension. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very taut points in this story. The chapter where we learn how Moira is involved (central) to the story was great (although, I have many questions on how this works…). The chapter when the X-Men go to destroy the Mother Mold around the sun is super impactful, but that feeling is wiped out in the very next chapter.

Too many things feel like they exist to serve the plot which chugs along at a quick pace. They help build a world and serve it up to the reader, and nothing will be introduced to slow that down which leaves a little to be desired. A lot of the characters fall into this well, feeling like hollow versions of themselves because they give themselves up to this idea. On the flip side, Charles and Moira are the two true game changers in this department.

That said, the art by Larraz and Silva throughout this entire book is fantastic and will help to cover any shortcomings the story presents. The linework, inking and vibrant colors are top-notch making each panel easy to understand and fun to look at. To go along with that, the shot composition is phenomenal enhancing everything on the page. On many occasions I found myself just staring at all the colors and details in the pages. Five stars in the art department.

Overall, this is a fun ride. I gave it four stars and that might be a little too high considering my criticisms, but I just feel like that’s where it should be. Where these books ends I’d be willing to read more to see where Hickman takes it, hoping he provides a bit more adversity and character depth on page.

4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0