Son of M #1 (SPOILERS)

[Cayman]

SUMMARY

This begins with a downtrodden-looking Pietro lying in bed in a run-down apartment building. He muses on how we was once a speedster - "the fastest living creature on the planet" but now he fails to swat a fly with a magazine. As Pietro gets up and takes a shower, we learn from the magazine cover that William Stryker is calling for America's remaining mutants to be rounded up and thrown into concentration camps.

Pietro ponders how becoming deciMated has impeded his mind, his metabolism, and his body. On the way home from the market, he runs to catch a bus and trips, landing in the gutter with his groceries spilled everywhere.

Elsewhere, Mary Jane Parker walks in on Spider-Man, who is staring out his window brooding. She wonders what's wrong, but Peter shrugs her off and leaves the apartment. How can he tell his wife that he has memories of a life where Gwen Stacy was his wife and they had a child? Swinging through the city, he sees a happy family and is reminded again of the HoM reality. Peter takes of his mask and starts weeping.

Meanwhile, Pietro arrives back at his crummy apartment with what's left of his groceries. He thinks of how he and Wanda nearly made what he considers a perfect world, but for a few flaws that caused it to be destroyed. If they could do it over, he is sure they would get it right. He looks at a picture of him and Wanda in their Avengers day, and pulls on his uniform and starts drinking until late in the evening. His thoughts turn to his sister, and he wonders what to do with his life now. He sees the moon through the window and is compelled to search out a device to communicate with the Inhumans.

He goes to the fire escape and tries to contact Crystal but no-one answers. As the device finally makes contact, he is distracted by a melee in the alley below. A young mutant is being threatened by a gang of toughs guys. They tear open the boy's shirt to reveal that his chest contains two glowing eyes, a gaping mouth, and a mass of tentacles. One of the men reaches out to touch a tentacle, and it reacts, grabbing the man. The boy explains he doesn't control the tentacles, it has its own instincts. Another man draws a knife and stabs one of the tentacles, causing massive bleeding.

Pietro intercedes, but the attackers are not intimidated. The one who had been grabbed by the tentacle punches Pietro into the trash with no difficulty, and prepares to stab the young mutant but is stopped in the nick of time by Spider-Man.

Spider-Man swoops in and starts beating up the bad guys. He's glad for the release. He calls for an ambulance for the wounded kid, and then pursues Pietro who is fleeing up the fire escape. Capturing Pietro in a web, Spider-Man lifts him to the roof and demands an explanation for what he did to him. Pietro angrily replies that he's lost everything himself.

Spider-Man's not feeling forgiveness. He confronts Pietro about the effect that deciMation had on mutants, and on his own life - how he had a wife and son he loved and now has lost. He tells Pietro "My son is dead and I can't bury him because he never existed" and laments that he can't even tell MJ or explain why he's so sad.

Pietro apologizes and says he'd put things right if there was a way, but there isn't. Peter bitterly retorts that it leaves Pietro "a waste of space". Pietro agrees, and asks Spider-Man if he can think of any reason for him to keep existing. Spider-Man says no. Pietro throws himself off the building. By the time Peter realizes what's happening, Pietro hits the ground. Spider-Man leaps down to the unconscious Quicksilver's side, just as Crystal and Lockjaw materialize. "What have you done to my husband?" demands Crystal.

Cay

[Cayman]

Summary

Quicksilver's been one of my favorite characters since I was a little kid, and it was sad to seem him brought so low here. Hine does a great job with Pietro's thoughts here. He's down and out, but hasn't completely lost his reckless pride. Still, he wants to do good and tries to be a hero.

Hine also does a great job conveying Peter's grief over the family he remembers but never really had. The confrontation between the two characters was great.

I've loved Roy A. Martinez's art since I first saw it when he filled in on Aria, and I'm excited to see him on a Marvel title. His art is beautiful throughout and does a good job illustrating the emotions of the characters.

Future solicits make it sound like things will be getting even bleaker for Pietro, but I hope this mini ends with him finding some sort of redemption.

Cay

[streator]

sounds like an excellent issue. so pietro actually hit the ground?

[Cayman]

sounds like an excellent issue. so pietro actually hit the ground?

It was a little unclear, I think Spider-Man may have been able to slow him down a bit but he still hit pretty hard.

Cay

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I thought it was an excellent issue. Pietro, the cause of this whole mess, broken and suicidal. How tragic but he had it coming. I'm surprised Spider-Man was able to hold back his anger but he is Spider Man, after all. I'm kind of surprised that Pietro lets Wanda off the hook for taking his powers and taking the one thing he's most proud of next to his daughter. Nice 1st issue.

[xakko]

I enjoyed this... but what's with the suicide theme this month? (see X-Factor #1) I thought Pietro was faster than 220 mph- that's slower than Northstar, yes?

Anyway, pretty emotional issue. Good use of Spider-Man- I only hope to see as much effect on him in his regular series.

[Cayman]

I enjoyed this... but what's with the suicide theme this month? (see X-Factor #1) I thought Pietro was faster than 220 mph- that's slower than Northstar, yes?

Anyway, pretty emotional issue. Good use of Spider-Man- I only hope to see as much effect on him in his regular series.

I doubt Pietro would acknowledge it if Northstar is faster than him anyway. :D

Cay

[oneasian]

just outta curiosity, this is a mini-series right?

how long is this going to run for?

[xakko]

just outta curiosity, this is a mini-series right?

how long is this going to run for?
It's a 6 issue series...

Lots of Inhuman action coming up, I expect.

[streator]

I enjoyed this... but what's with the suicide theme this month? (see X-Factor #1) I thought Pietro was faster than 220 mph- that's slower than Northstar, yes?

Anyway, pretty emotional issue. Good use of Spider-Man- I only hope to see as much effect on him in his regular series.
pietro's been shown to run at different top speeds depending on the writer. his fastest was when he was powered up by isotope e, and that top speed was much faster than 220 mph if i remember correctly.
northstar is faster than pietro though. i know he can reach mach speeds.

edit:
check out this thread for more info
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=79466&highlight=quicksilver+northstar

[goldenarms]

Damn it, I was hoping to get this issue, but the store I frequent sold out. Sounds like a very good issue.

[Hiromi]

Was a good isuue, in addition to the Quicksilver part it was also neat to see Parker dealing with the aftereffects of House of M.

[tjarvis]

This was definitely the best thing I've seen Hine write so far, and had the right mix of action and characterization. It was great to get inside Pietro's and Peter's heads, and the confrontation between the two was dead on.

[Harry]

That 220 mph thing bugged me. It takes him 10-15 hours to run across the US? Why not just take the Quinjet all the time? He wouldn't appear as a blur traveling at that speed, and he definitely wouldn't have the momentum to, oh, RUN UP A BUILDING.

[Teamballin]

I like how Spidey didn't have any sympathy for Quicksilver, it was crazy how Quicksilver just leaped to his death. I love the issue for the realism it brought to the marvel universe. HoM Decimination is like the Great Depression with mutants.

[TinMan]

I really enjoyed this issue, it was extremely well written and the internal monologue was great. Starts to give use more of a picture of Pietro saw himself and now sees himself, the way he puts his Quicksilver costume on and sits around in it, kinda shows his mental anguish and situation. Great first issue, can't wait for the next.

The whole 220 MPH thing is pathetic though, that annoyed the crap right outta me. Honestly the man had to of moved faster than that, for what he was shown to do we know he was faster than that. I remember the old Marvel Vs. DC miniseries from the 90's, in the character pages showing which characters were facing each other it listed the Flash as "the speed of light" and Quicksilver as "the speed of sound". This seems the most feasible to me cause the speed of sound is over 700 MPH and almost 800, this would give him the ability to run across water and up buildings. For craps sake, an F-1 Maclaron (sp?) goes 220 MPH and we don't see people cruising across water in those.

[cyclops2500]

The issue was great, but 220 is not fast enough. Seriously, it is fast, in real life terms, but the dude is named Quicksilver! I always thought he could travel at the speed of sound at least.

[thik_3rd]

this was great, it really exceeded my expectations. best thing hine has done, easily (district and mutopia were trash).
the art was great too.
i can't wait to see some inhumans now.

[Neolucifer]

Excellent issue , especially with Spidey finally dealing with what occured in HoM . I feel like i'm repeating myself over and over in each thread , but so far i'm loving most of the Post HoM x titles .

[Teamballin]

The issue was great, but 220 is not fast enough. Seriously, it is fast, in real life terms, but the dude is named Quicksilver! I always thought he could travel at the speed of sound at least.
Thats what has been noted on most of his bios. Even when he faced the Flash is was said he can move at the speed of sound while Flash can move at the speed of light. 220 mph seem to be weather slow for a person who can run across the entire world in a matter of minutes.

[Sandy Hausler]

With the return of Crystal, does anyone sense that Pietro might be taking a hit of the Terrigen Mist?

Sandy Hausler

[Tag06]

With the return of Crystal, does anyone sense that Pietro might be taking a hit of the Terrigen Mist?

Sandy Hausler

Sounds excellent.

[Dennis K]

I really liked Son of M, and if it were done with the quality of the first issue, would support an ongoing Quicksilver title.

[Turd_Ferguson]

I really liked Son of M, and if it were done with the quality of the first issue, would support an ongoing Quicksilver title.

The last time they tried a Quicksilver ongoing, it crashed and burned.

[thik_3rd]

was that last quicksilver title an ongoing or a mini? i've heard conflicting reports on the subject.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

was that last quicksilver title an ongoing or a mini? i've heard conflicting reports on the subject.

It was a ongoing.

[Turd_Ferguson]

was that last quicksilver title an ongoing or a mini? i've heard conflicting reports on the subject.

It was an ongoing that IIRC lasted 13 issues and a co-Annual. I believe it had 3 different writers in that time, and ended with a crossover with fellow doomed title Heroes for Hire.

[thik_3rd]

i consider the co-annual to not count for it, just count for heroes for hire. i think all the marvel annuals that years had annuals "featuring (main character) and (other character)". a lot of the other characters that were cofeatured didn't have on-goings at the time (champions, for instance). that said, the 3 writers tells me on going.

[Cayman]

I think a Quicksilver series would be best without all the Knights of Wundagore stuff.

Cay

[Dennis K]

The last time they tried a Quicksilver ongoing, it crashed and burned.

Other characters have certainly had more than one chance, so why not Quicksilver, and as I said, if it could have the same quality as the first issue of Son of M, it would be one I could support. I liked both the story and the artwork, and am really looking forward as to where the story is going.

[Will.S]

Just curious but have Spider-Man and Quicksilver ever interacted much?

I don't think I've ever seen them talk to each other so it was a very interesting conflict they had in this book. Usually I think Pietro would think himself above Spider-Man and retain his cocky attitude but Peter actually has good face compared to him. I'm glad the memory retaining is being addressed here since in Spider-Man's own title it's not even mentioned.

Anyway, this was a great look into Pietro's new non-mutant life. It definitely shows how much of a struggle he's going through being de-powered being depressed and all. It as if his personality came with his powers so it'll be interesting to see how his powers come back and as a villain no less. I hope he becomes quicker than ever especially given the opening description which is more along of his older days powers as opposed to his Avengers appearances post Isotope-E.

Good cliffhanger with Crystal and Lockjaw, the next few issues are what I really want to see play out due to the Inhumans (both Sean McKeever's versions and classic Black Bolt and Medusa) and the possibility of being exposed to the terrigen mists. The art was suitably gritty for the tone of the book and I loved the colors, it and X-Factor have a very fitting color pallete.

[Sandy Hausler]

Just curious but have Spider-Man and Quicksilver ever interacted much?

I don't think I've ever seen them talk to each other so it was a very interesting conflict they had in this book. Usually I think Pietro would think himself above Spider-Man and retain his cocky attitude but Peter actually has good face compared to him. I'm glad the memory retaining is being addressed here since in Spider-Man's own title it's not even mentioned.

Anyway, this was a great look into Pietro's new non-mutant life. It definitely shows how much of a struggle he's going through being de-powered being depressed and all. It as if his personality came with his powers so it'll be interesting to see how his powers come back and as a villain no less. I hope he becomes quicker than ever especially given the opening description which is more along of his older days powers as opposed to his Avengers appearances post Isotope-E.

Good cliffhanger with Crystal and Lockjaw, the next few issues are what I really want to see play out due to the Inhumans (both Sean McKeever's versions and classic Black Bolt and Medusa) and the possibility of being exposed to the terrigen mists. The art was suitably gritty for the tone of the book and I loved the colors, it and X-Factor have a very fitting color pallete.

I don't know that they've interacted all that much, but Pietro did fight him in Spidey's own mag. Of course, Spider-Man prevailed. (I don't remember the issue, but I'm sure someone will post the cover.<g>)

Sandy Hausler

[Will.S]

Ah ok, thought as much.

It's always cool to see characters who have barely interacted before start doing so after certain types of events.

[kloudsurfer]

Dammit why must marvel keep taking my money!?!?! Sounds like Ill have to ge this mini, sounds really good.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

How many more issues is Spider-Man gonna guest star? Is next issue it? Probably so since the Inhumans are about to be to primary focus along with his daughter, Luna.

[The Fury]

I really like this book, gave a good insite to Peitro...although had his speed stats a tad slow.

And Peter's angle was a good addition. I mean has it featured in any other book yet?

[matgro]

Great issue overall. I can sympathize with Pietro, but I can also see why Spidey is super pissed. Can anyone tell me what that giant dog is supposed to be?

[Tag06]

Can anyone tell me what that giant dog is supposed to be?

A giant dog........lol j/k but uhhm I guess Lockjaw used to be human or inhuman shall I say.

[protege]

The last time they tried a Quicksilver ongoing, it crashed and burned.
well, it wasn't like he was going at the speed of sound...