Tom Peyer

Of the "House of M" stories, this was probably the worst. That's saying something because there was a lot about ye olde "House of M" that I liked, and Peter as Spidey is one of my favorite heroes. Maybe the authors really wanted to write Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde fanfiction or something, because that's what this is, just with Peter Parker & Co. Larocca's art is meh at the best of times and creepy at the worst, to be kind. Was this where the idea for Doc Ock's run as Spider-man came in? Bleegh. The plot doesn't make any sense. The only good part was the epilogue, and that's really only because Peter's family, primarily Gwen and Uncle Ben, are great.… (more)

I thought this was a very good book. My only major complaint is that it doesn't really seem to mesh with the main "House of M" story's continuity at all, but that's hardly the biggest problem. (I assume the House of M world has its own multiverse designation in any case, and that this would then be events as they'd unfold if uninterrupted by the 616 Scarlet Witch breakdown.) The graphic novel stands on its own quite well, showing a superstar Peter Parker inwardly tortured by guilt over how he has everything he wants in life, all built on a single little lie. Seeing his father figures Ben Parker and Captain Stacy alive and active in his life is interesting, seeing his completely changed dynamic with J. J. Jameson is fun, and the central twist feels dark and intriguing. Two thumbs up.… (more)