Connect with us
House of X #5 Review: Society

Comic Books

House of X #5 Review: Society

This issue’s implications will be dissected for quite some time.

The first red issue of House of X and Powers of X revealed the massive game-changing status quo of Moira MacTaggart’s mutation, changing the concept, meaning, and purpose of the X-Men as a group for all time. House of X #5 is the second of three issues marked red, which seemingly promises another Earth-shattering status quo shift for the X-Men as a whole. As the entire run up to this issue has shown, Jonathan Hickman is able to deliver on the massive expectations he’s built for his X-Men line, and this issue is no exception.

House of X #5 Review: Society

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

There are three major scenes of import in this issue, each one with a plot event that shakes up the status quo for the X-Men. The first involves the very first scene of House of X #1, explaining who those mutants were, and what their importance was in Xavier’s grand plan. This is a massive, massive reveal, elaborating on the culture of Krakoa and how people view those of import within their society. This scene also has Magneto musing about when humans stopped moving around and first created a culture, which is an incredibly poignant monologue about Hickman’s intentions and desires for the X-Men moving forward. This is the focal scene and reveal of the issue, and it has incredibly strong, interesting implications for the future of the franchise.

The next major scene pushes forward a plot thread that has been running since House of X #1. Namely, the United Nations’ decision on whether or not to allow the mutant nation of Krakoa to declare sovereignty. This scene sets up the political status of Krakoa, as well as potential obstructions down the line. And finally, the last scene is yet another game changer, wherein Xavier, Magneto, and Wolverine welcome a large number of new additions to Krakoa. The final page of the issue is an instantly iconic splash page, setting up Krakoa’s relationship with mutantkind — all of mutantkind. This one scene has increased the amount of tension on and around krakoa one thousandfold, as the population has become far more volatile and interesting.

As always on House of X, Pepe Larraz’s artwork is phenomenal. The framing of certain scenes to make characters look almost messianic is masterfully executed, and every panel is colored gorgeously by Marte Gracia. Larraz’s attention to detail is incredible as well, especially in how certain items have purposeful reflections. A scene of characters in formal wear looks stellar, with everyone dressed elegantly and stylishly, with a nice attention to detail in the clothing itself. Gracia’s colors are also a major part of what makes each scene look gorgeous — the use of color to frame panels and moments adds to the effect of each page.

The data pages this issue add an incredible amount of information to the already jam-packed story. The first data pages are entirely about the implications and results of the first scene, and how it truly changes life for mutants. The scene was a massive game changer, but these data pages turn it from a surprising twist into a status quo that changes the stakes entirely. It also specifically points out ways that this new status quo could go wrong, which could either be Hickman lampshading potential theories, or setting up several Chekhov’s guns for when things inevitably go wrong. The other set of data pages has to do with the global response to Krakoa’s offer from the first issue of House of X, and sets up a very clearly impending conflict in the future.

After House of X #2, readers have been expecting big reveals in the rest of the issues marked red on the House of X/Powers of X reading list. House of X #5 does not disappoint, setting up another massive status quo shift as well as a new plot device to change the stakes for all the characters in this series. This issue’s implications will be dissected for quite some time, or at the very least until the next issue of Powers of X.

House of X #5 Review: Society
House of X #5
Is it good?
This issue's implications will be dissected for quite some time, or at the very least until the next issue of Powers of X.
This issue delivers on the massive expectations that its red marking on the reading order creates.
Hickman is fundamentally altering the status quo of the X-Men and mutants worldwide, and it is a welcome change.
Larraz and Gracia continue to put out magnificent work on every page.
Hickman's use of data pages allow this issue to carry significantly more information and weight than a standard 30-page issue.
10
Fantastic

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup