What sets this book apart from a typical issue is that it's the first Marvel title to bear the House of M logo, promising a prelude to the publisher's big summer crossover event. Well, if readers check this title out as a gauge of whether or not they'll enjoy House of M and its spinoff stories, this could very well mean the death knell for the crossover before it even gets off the ground. Of course, history tells us that nothing will deter the die-hard fans from embracing the big event, but this first step (if you can call it that) doesn't fill me with confidence. Fortunately, I know it's writer Brian Michael Bendis, not Excalibur scribe Chris Claremont, who's handling the core plot and series.
The Genoshan mutants, joined by X-Men Archangel and Husk and the terrorist Viper, fight against the Weaponeers and the energy-blade-wielding Scimitar for the future of Zanzibar. The Weaponeers have double-crossed Viper and plan to conquer and rule the African nation themselves, but they didn't count on some unlikely opposition. Meanwhile, after spending months trying to heal the fractured mind of the Scarlet Witch, Professor Charles Xavier realizes he's in over his head and seeks out assistance from an old ally with expertise in a much different field.
Once again, Lopresti's art reminds me a great deal with the style of 1980s and '90s artist Kerry (Power Man & Iron Fist, Superman) Gammill. The interior art doesn't boast a strong visual flow. The pacing seems scattered, the action somewhat chaotic. Of course, that may be more the result of the script being scattered and chaotic than a failing on the artist's part. The designs for the Genoshan heroes are weak. They're visually uninteresting, and if the characters are going to look so bland, they might as well be in regular clothes. At least that might make them a tad more believable.
Pay no attention to the crossover logo and the cover art in general. The House of M elements are limited to a scant three pages. It barely qualifies this issue as a prelude to anything. Also irksome is the pacing of the story arc. This issue is labelled as the third of four parts of the Zanzibar story, but it seems to be wrapped up in this chapter. It's also billed as the first of a two-part prelude, but that certainly doesn't hold up. So what is it? Is this the middle of a story arc, the beginning or the end? Claremont doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the labels he's placed on these issues.
The core plot -- the defence of Zanzibar -- is completely inaccessible. I've been following this storyline and I was still lost. The X-Men's easy acceptance of the Viper as an ally makes no sense. Claremont also seems to grant Archangel a new power -- super-strength -- so he can keep a building from falling on top of his head. The point of the story is completely elusive. If the writer doesn't seem to care enough to provide a logical storyline, why should I care about it at all? 2/10
