The idea of mutants suddenly being reduced from millions to hundreds in number offer a lot of emotional and social storytelling possibilities, and writer Chris Claremont avails himself of some of them in this comic book. This one-shot is really just an extension of what Brian Michael Bendis began in House of M #8, so there's really not a strong sense of plot here. Claremont just fills in more of the details as to th new premise and status quo in the Marvel Universe. That's no small task, and Claremont just doesn't have as much space as he needs to get the job done. The result is a cluttered, scattered script, and unfortunately, the art seems to mirror those qualities.
MIllions of mutants all over the worl awaken to find they are without their powers, and for some, the result is severe disfigurement, as their bodies don't necessarily adapt well to the change. The X-Men scramble to tend to their own, but the world looks to them for answers... answers they are unable to provide. Governments struggle to adjust to the new world order, which fanatics take the inexplicable event as a cue to take extreme action against mutantkind.
I didn't even recognize Randy Green's style at first, but that's due in part to the extreme visual that serve to grab our attention early on. The work throughout the book looks more than a little rushed, and judging from the credits (which include two pencillers and three inkers), I'd say a rush job is likely in this case. Having so many artists working on the book also makes for an inconsistent look throughout. The art is also often busy and cluttered in appearance, but that does reinforces the hectic and critical tone of the plot.
The strongest writing in the book revolves around the Blob and Emma Frost in separate moments and their reactions to the impossible developments. The Blob's is personal, whereas Emaa Frost's stems from her fierce mutant pride. Both are in emotional agony, but for different reasons. Even so, the turmoil for both rings true. I just wish we saw more of this sort of grounded, emotional perspective throughout the book.
Claremont did such good work with that personal side of the story that he really should have focused on it almost exclusively. The big picture just has too much ground to cover. Furthermore, the execution of the premise boasts some problems. For example, why was the Scarlet Witch able to wipe the memories of the world's population twice when it came to how the world was run and how lives unfolded, but when it came to the loss of mutant powers, memories were untouched? The level of control with which these massive changes are made to the Marvel Universe seems to change arbitrarily. 5/10
