By Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel

Marvel Comics, August/2005

The House of M series picks up six months after Scarlet Witch lost control of her powers while working as part of the Avengers. During this surge of uncontrollable power three members of the Avengers team were killed and the others were lucky to make it out with their lives. The basis of the start of this series is about Charles Xavier using as much power as he is able to in an attempt to help Wanda (Scarlet Witch) control her powers. Magnus has brought them to the ruins of Genosha to protect others from these outbreaks. However, even with all his power, Xavier is starting to lose control and a decision must be made before she can become a danger to the world again. So Xavier calls a meeting between the X-Men and the Avengers to decide the fate of Wanda.

I was definitely grateful to have gotten the Director’s Cut of this issue. Oddly enough it didn’t even cost me more. The back is full of all kinds of sketches and side notes on what went into the making of this comic. I guess this being a Bendis comic, I kind of anticipated the somewhat blocky build of the characters. Seems to be a trend among all of the comics I’ve read of his, but it isn’t over done. Even the cover, in its unfinished state, has me loving everything about this series so far. The storyline itself holds up to the reputation Bendis has made for himself. Very well thought out and written, the artwork is quite detailed, and the coloring is fluid and vibrant with no overabundance of darkness.

Usually it is hard for me to jump into a miniseries when I have not read the former comics that lead into it. This one is very easy to jump into though. They fill you in enough within the first few pages that you do not feel like you are missing any of the pieces. So far I can’t say much for the series, but I have enjoyed it so far and am looking forward to reading the rest of it and wouldn’t nay-say it at all so far.