When this project was initially announced, I really didn't pay much attention to it. My initial reaction was it was yet another Spidey project tied into yet another crossover. I figured it was just another money grab on Marvel's part. Then I noticed writers Mark Waid and Tom Peyer were involved, and my interest was piqued. They offer up an alternate-reality story with all of the usual trappings -- the same supporting cast in radically different roles -- but there's a brainier side to the project that explores racism in an unusual way. Salvador Larroca offers up some of his stronger work in recent memory. This book definitely raises my hopes for the ouse of M concept as a whole. I look forward to what other writers plan to do with the concepts.
Peter Parker has it all. His beautiful wife, Gwen, is not only his lover, best friend and mother of his child, but she's his partner in a financial empire that's practically without equal. He lives in a mansion with his friend and family all around him, safe and protected by his bodyguard, the Rhino. Peter revels in ordering around his PR flack, J. Jonah Jameson, who used to lambaste Parker early in his Spider-Man career. Yes, life is good for Peter Parker, but he has a secret. Thanks to his amazing abilities, everyone just assumes he's a mutant, a member of the dominant species on the planet. But he could lose it all if anyone found out he was a normal human being who fell ass-backwards into super-powers.
Larroca does an excellent job of conveying the opulence of Peter Parker's lifestyle and the warmth that exists among his friends and family. He manages to instill a gentle look in such big bruisers as the Rhino and Crusher Hogan. The happiness really shows in the art, and that reinforces the depths of Peter's fears and the importance of his continued deception. The colors bathe the book in a warm glow, and it creates the impression that this is a dream come true for the title character.
The usual array of alternate-reality super-hero story conventions are to be found here: an enemy is a friend, deceased lovd ones are back from oblivion and the arch-enemy still finds a reason to hate the hero despite the radically different circumstances. In some ways, the plotting is by the numbers, holding few surprises. I did appreciate the fact that Gwen Stacy is depicted as being more than a prize on the hero's arm. She's a fierce businesswoman, dealing with Norman Osborn with a cold, confident demeanor. Of course, the writers are careful to bring balance to her character, showing her as a loving mother and wife early on in the issue as well.
The title character's secret in this story gives rise to an interesting variety of ethical issues. A racist regime is in place that denigrates human beings, and it's understandable that Peter would want to protect his family from that fate. But one has to ask if Peter's lies are completely justified. He's not just lying to survive and protect those he loves, but so he can enjoy a fantasy lifestyle. He's rich, famous and beloved, and it's all based on a lie. Is there a point at which Peter's charade stops being about racism and starts being about selfishness? 7/10
