The Giant-Size series, which kicked off just two months ago in May, has stirred up some debate, especially considering it’s a fast-paced, ultimately harmless journey through time. Much of the contention stems from a misunderstanding of its core premise: Kamala Khan isn’t being shoehorned into classic X-Men narratives. Instead, she’s revisiting iconic events on a personal quest to grasp what it means to be an X-Man and a mutant, all while being relentlessly pursued by the power-crazed Legion.
Giant-Size House of M #1 continues the series’ theme of celebrating iconic stories. This installment follows Giant-Size X-Men #1, which paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Len Wein and Dave Cockrum’s original work; Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1, honoring the 45th anniversary of Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s seminal story; and Giant-Size Age of Apocalypse #1, commemorating the 30th anniversary of that memorable event. For the 20th anniversary of House of M, writers Jackson Lanzing and Colin Kelly team up with artist Francesco Manna.
Marvel Comics
While Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel’s original House of M was undeniably important, it was never a personal favorite of mine. Perhaps it was the grim outcome that plunged the X-Men into a bleak era, or maybe the “false utopia” narrative just didn’t resonate strongly with me. Regardless, Giant-Size House of M has just 30 pages to retell an eight-issue event. Like prior issues in the series, Lanzing and Kelly carefully select specific moments to insert the time-traveling Kamala. In this story, Kamala arrives precisely when the major X-Men characters uncover the truth of their false paradise. Unfortunately for them, Legion also appears to ensure that events unfold as they should, leading Wanda to utter those famous words once more: “No more mutants.”
The remainder of the issue focuses on another recurring pattern Lanzing and Kelly have woven into these stories: Kamala’s interactions with a mentor figure. Whether it was Cyclops in Giant-Size X-Men #1, Jean Grey in Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1, or Rogue in Giant-Size Age of Apocalypse #1, each iconic X-Man has imparted an important lesson to Kamala for her journey. This is where the issue truly shines. Kamala Khan’s Muslim heritage and ethnic background have unfortunately been downplayed in some past X-Men titles, leading to some regrettable moments, particularly during the Krakoa and NYX eras. Thankfully, Lanzing and Kelly rectify this here, allowing Kamala to share her own experiences as a young, brown, Muslim girl in what can sometimes be a hostile America. This approach feels topical, pertinent, and long overdue for the character.
The five-page backup story, “Revelation,” drawn by Martin Coccolo and written by Saladin Ahmed, offers a more straightforward narrative compared to the other stories in the series, which tend to be more ambiguous and set up future events. This segment focuses on Wolverine recalling a past encounter with gangsters and receiving a signet ring belonging to an influential mobster. The story promises to continue in Wolverine #13. While Martin Coccolo’s art is, as always, excellent, there’s little else of significant note here.
Marvel Comics
Art has been a crucial element across all the Giant-Size titles, showcasing some of the finest since the “From the Ashes” era began. This issue’s artist, Francesco Manna, is more recognized for his cover art than his interior pages. His work draws inspiration from Stuart Immonen and Pepe Larraz, evident in its sleek, shiny, and well-composed style. While not as sharp as Immonen or Larraz’s, Manna’s work is very promising, and he excels particularly in dynamic action scenes and group shots. Hopefully, this is the beginning of many issues Manna will draw in the coming years, as his talent is undeniable.
Giant-Size House of M isn’t quite as strong as some of its predecessors in the series, lacking the concentrated narrative of Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 and Giant-Size Age of Apocalypse #1. However, the scenes between Kamala and Kitty truly stand out, allowing Kamala to share her valuable life experiences and connect with how the mutant metaphor resonates deeply for many in real life. This is where Lanzing and Kelly are at their best. With the series nearing its conclusion in the finale, Giant-Size X-Men #2, it will be interesting to see where this journey takes Kamala next.
‘Giant-Size House of M’ #1: Kamala Khan’s Time-Traveling Lessons
Giant-Size House of M isn’t quite as strong as some of its predecessors in the series, lacking the concentrated narrative of Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 and Giant-Size Age of Apocalypse #1. However, the scenes between Kamala and Kitty truly stand out, allowing Kamala to share her valuable life experiences and connect with how the mutant metaphor resonates deeply for many in real life.
