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House of M

House of M: Spider-Man

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Meet Spider-Man - hero to the people, champion of the weak and oopressed... and World Wrestling Alliance Championship Titleholder?! Peter Parker has it all: respect, fame, and the adoration of all. But he also has a deep, destructive secret that he keeps from the world and from his family - one that could well unravel the reality he knows!

Collects: Spider-Man: House of M #1-5.

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2005

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About the author

Mark Waid

3,162 books1,157 followers
Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

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5 stars
498 (32%)
4 stars
401 (26%)
3 stars
433 (28%)
2 stars
156 (10%)
1 star
52 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Subham.
2,946 reviews83 followers
February 8, 2022
This was a great read!

It was an emotional story for sure and had great moments throughout.

So it picks up with Peter having the life he always wanted with both Gwen and Ben alive and him married to his first love Gwen and having a kid but then we see his downfall when Goblin delivers Jonah some journal and he exposes him for not being a mutant and faking it (In this reality mutant are the majority, humans the inferior, hence the event) so people start hating on him and we see Pete's life come crashing down and how it affects his family and him facing off against different villains, cool twist with Goblin and the family finding out about the journal which they think is fake but as readers we know what it really is.

And its an emotional story there as the realizatio happens in the last panel what he could have had and being a Spidey fan seeing him there with hs family and all too happy is sad because he deserves it but never did get in the main continuity but seeing him like that happy and all makes this one of my fav alt Spidey stories like "what could have been" and its one of the better House of M tie-ins and makes for a complex and emotional Spider-man story and lives up to its name. Emotions and actions are right on the point and the characterizations perfect minus some mishaps and I definitely recommend reading it!
Profile Image for Bradley.
Author 5 books4,524 followers
January 31, 2021
Ok, I admit, I'm a freak for Spider-Man. But there's something so HEARTBREAKING about seeing him get everything we all think he deserves, only to watch him tear himself apart like this.

Wanda's alternate reality DID give him everything. It's only when he's forced into remembering what he USED to be that it all went wrong.

Of course, let me ignore the plight of Sapiens everywhere and how mutants rule every roost. I'm focusing on Peter. He really could have handled this better.

He BOUGHT-OUT Oscorp to destroy the weapons! How wonderful! And then... *big panda sigh*
Profile Image for Molly™☺.
804 reviews55 followers
November 1, 2022
An alternate interpretation of one of Marvel's most iconic heroes. The problem? Peter is the most unlikeable protagonist I've read so far this year. Changing things up isn't a bad thing, however, creating a version of a beloved character who isn't even tolerable to read about for less than 150 pages means you've done something wrong. Perhaps Spidey veterans will get something out of this, but for those wanting some good Spider-Man content, stay well away from this.
Profile Image for Hrishi.
331 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2015
I read this as part of an overall Marvel 616 read, and in that context as part of a read-through of all House of M tie-ins. On that note, can someone please explain to me how (and when) this fits in with the overall crossover continuity?

Don't get me wrong - I actually liked this alternate take on Spidey quite a bit! The (drastic) changes to Peter Parker's life made for a fun "what if" read, although the interpretation of the Goblin and Peter's central dilemma through this story (trying to stay spoiler free here) stretched my credulity a bit. The thing that lost this book 2 stars though was simply its complete dissonance with everything else that's happening in the House of M world.

How did Spidey end up in Genosha for the conclusion of House of M if his life was as in tatters as this book suggests? When did the "awakened" pick him up exactly? Meh. The writing is OK, the art is great, and if I hadn't a clue of what else was going on in the House of M, I'd say I'd have enjoyed this book a whole lot more!
Profile Image for Connie.
1,565 reviews22 followers
October 7, 2021
I own this book.

This book is set in the House of M universe, I read the Brian Michael Bendis House of M trade paperback a couple of months ago so when I found that there was more books in this universe I was excited. Basically, this feels like an alternative universe where Mutants hold the monopoly over Homosapiens. They are the normal people in society and Spiderman is probably the most famous of the lot. He's married to Gwen Stacey, they have a baby boy named Ritchie. Parker Industries is among the most thriving companies in the world. He's got a movie coming out, Uncle Ben is alive. It really seems like Peter has it all. However, he has a secret and J Jonah Jameson is as much as a pest in this universe as he is in the standard universe and is convinced by a fake Green Goblin to expose Peter as a homosapien who was granted mutant powers.

I did enjoy this book. I did. BUT. I love Peter because Peter is whimsical and good hearted compared to many other Marvel characters, he has a great heart and a great humour and a lot of that was sucked away from him in this story. I know that was the point but it didn't even really feel like a Spiderman story in a lot of ways. I was a bit passive on this if I'm honest.
253 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2015
So this is what? How Spider-Man would've ended up if House of M hadn't gone away? Cuz it really doesn't fit in with what we saw of Spider-Man in the Main House of M story line.
Really Peter Parker, I expected better from you. Celebrity status and happy life and all that is fine, good even, but I would've expected him to treat JJJ better. I could understand and few jokes at his expense, but not this constant torment (and paying him more doesn't make up for treating him badly).
And what's up with this self-sabotage?
IDK several things that seemed out of character, which I suppose can happen in this kind of situation, but still...
Profile Image for Andrew.
16 reviews
August 28, 2011
All I can say is that this take on parallel universe was interesting: "what if Spider-man never got into superheroics and stayed in wrestling?" Not the best, but interesting.
Profile Image for Diane.
328 reviews19 followers
January 26, 2022
With the exception of Peter Parker acting quite out of character, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of The House of M series. And honestly? Peter should be acting out of character. In Wanda Maximoff's alternate universe, he is handed literally everything he could have ever wanted and he's basically a selfish you-know-what about it. That is, until the guilt starts setting in. He starts tearing himself apart and defaming himself in order to feel "okay" about it. Perhaps his Spidey sense is going off, telling him that nothing is what it's supposed to be thanks to The Scarlet Witch's mental break and subsequent new universe ruled under Magneto.

Frankly, with some of the other installments into the storyline of House of M this one stands out. It's heartbreaking and unnerving and it should be! The perfect world doesn't exist. Wanda's incredible power is still meager in comparison to actually reaching perfection for everyone. It all falls apart, in the end, because nothing can ever be eutopia.

Despite some naysayers, I'm here for this installment and support it as a great overarching installment of Spider-Man and his reaction to Wanda's mental upheavals.
Profile Image for Melissa.
95 reviews
February 23, 2022
Ogólnie to średnio rozumiem, to chyba jest "co by się działo gdyby rzeczywistość pozostała alternatywna". I jak cała seria House of M: ból. Cierpienie. Agonia.
Profile Image for Derek Moreland.
Author 6 books8 followers
January 24, 2021
Oka, seriously, what the hell was that?!? Where was the breakdown in communication that this is *the* Spider-man story you tell to tie in to HOUSE OF M? Peter's power isnt in his GUILT, and if he is RESPONSIBLY taking care of his family...not to mention the sheer what-continuity-there-is breaking ending...how? How did this get published? How did Mark Waid miss the mark so badly?!?

I've read this THREE TIMES in my life, and every time I am flabbergasted by its terribleness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vito Gardella.
18 reviews
November 17, 2009
i have to say being a 16 year old teen i love spider man it is a great story by a great man named (Stan Lee) he is the one you would never let me down i give him my thanks. any way this had a really good twist to it and i would have never expected it so i won't tell you any more but i have to recamend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves).
1,992 reviews44 followers
February 18, 2020
I'm torn about this one because it's unclear how it connects to the main House of M storyline, but also there are in things here I don't think Peter would do? The guilt and other aspects of the story fit in with his character, but not the way he treated certain people. Good art, though! Not the worst House of M story, but perhaps the most confusing.
Profile Image for Israel Formales.
11 reviews
May 28, 2020
Intriguing at the beginning but it's TOTALLY disconnected and contradicting to the House of M story line. No spoilers... but how can Spidey be at 2 different places at one time? 1/5
Profile Image for Jeremy S..
Author 1 book2 followers
March 15, 2021
I read this right after the House of M trade, and while I'm a sucker for a good alternative reality story, this one was just so/so.
Profile Image for Alex E.
1,481 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2022
You know, for all the quips and aloofness that comes out of Spider-Man, its easy to forget sometimes, that he is a pretty tragic hero. A lot of bad stuff has happened to him, and really, this book just adds onto that. I don't think anyone really touches on this particular era in Spidey's life, maybe because - again -so much has happened to him outside of this, but this was particularly heartbreaking at times.

Let me take a step back. So this book details what Peter's life would be like if he got all he wanted. He's married to Gwen, runs a multimillion dollar company, has a kid, and his aunt and uncle are alive. He slowly starts going off the rails once JJJ finds out he is not a mutant, but a kid that got bit by a radioactive spider. This leads him to break further when the dreams and memories of his life before House of M, become much stronger and he is unable to ignore them anymore.

The book itself, is a bit of a mess if I'm being honest. I like Mark Waid a lot, and he tried to make this very drama heavy and full of twists and turns, but really it just reads like a mess of details. Ultimately, Spiderman's reaction to House of M is much more well done in the main book, but I'll save that for that review.

I would recommend this only if you really are a fan of Spidey and if you really have to see what he was doing during house of M.
Profile Image for Austin Ward.
16 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2021
Read alongside the main House of M event.

This kind of stand-alone tie-in series adds some nice background and worldbuilding to Marvel crossover events. This is especially true for House of M, in which the entire structure of the world is changed. Being able to see what specific characters are up to in this new world order makes the event seem that much more fleshed out.

I enjoyed seeing Spider-Man as a famous celebrity, dealing with stress and the ego that goes along with it. With Uncle Ben living in this reality, I can totally see Peter taking his wrestling and acting fame to his head. Relentlessly bullying J. Jonah Jameson as petty revenge is believable for the character in this context.

Peter being outed as a non-mutant provides the classic "secret identity" dilemma, with the masses turning on him in a way that the normal Spider-Man would be used to. Peter's subsequent breakdown and string of bad decisions illustrates why great power comes with great responsibility, showing us what might have happened if Peter's ambition overtook his responsibility and honor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amory.
928 reviews34 followers
November 30, 2022
One thing about the House of M series is when it focuses on characters I already love, I'm immediately drawn into the story. I found every page of this fascinating. Seeing how different Peter Parker's life is in this reality, and what parts of his real past he can still remember, was so interesting. I know part of the reason to have him remember Gwen Stacy and Captain Stacy's deaths and his high school days is because the writers and artists want to put their own spin on iconic Spider-Man moments. And I'm completely here for that! This arc lets us see these classic storylines in a totally different context, and it's worth including.
Seeing how far Peter Parker falls from grace was brutal to watch, but made sense. This felt like the first volume where you could really sense that Wanda's control is slipping, and I'm curious to see how quickly things accelerate from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kyle Berk.
640 reviews10 followers
June 29, 2018
While i don’t think this is a great story to represent the character I do think it’s a really fun story that’s good for fans of Spider-Man.

It has all the elements. All the winks, references, and nods. It can also be quite clever about it.

Peter is out of character here, it makes sense at times like his guilt complex or the small interaction with his son. But other times it to me comes out of left field like the whole Goblin thing.

But it’s an enjoyable read that is pretty to look at, clever, and a fun story for fans of the webhead.

4 stars.
Profile Image for Rangga Sukmawijaya.
1,504 reviews7 followers
October 15, 2021
Saya harus kasih hanya bintang dua untuk seri ini. Seri ini dijatuhkan oleh akhir ceritanya. Di sini tampak jelas karakter Spider-Man mengalami perubahan. Masalahnya, perubahan karakter tokoh utama juga mempengaruhi karakter lain di cerita ini. Spider-Man, kalau boleh saya katakan, di sini menjadi pengecut. Ben Parker dan George Stacy menjadi orang tua yang egois. Dan hal ini hanya disebabkan oleh cara penulis mengakhiri cerita dalam serial ini. Sayang sekali, padahal dari awal sampai nomor keempat, kisah ini lumayan bagus.
Profile Image for Quentin Wallace.
Author 34 books177 followers
April 4, 2024
This was an unusual entry in the House of M. Peter Parker is thought to be a mutant and is a huge celebrity in the House of M universe. Then he's exposed as a human, and things turn bad quickly. In the House of M, all of the tragic deaths in Peter Parker's life haven't happened, so he's surrounded by family and friends. However, he seems to remember what happened in the "real" Marvel Universe, which is different than what we've been seeing in the other titles.

House of M at this point isn't one of my favorite comic events, but it's not bad.
Profile Image for Lena Fickle.
152 reviews13 followers
November 27, 2020
The Spider-Man tie-in issues are probably my favorite of the non-mutant House of M tie-ins. Kinda interesting seeing Peter's fall from grace. The ending feels like it would have been better in an ongoing alt-reality, not one that we know ends at the end of House of M. (Nor that there couldn't be other branches from the 616 universe where it continues. In What-If all things are possible, assuming editorial approves!)
Profile Image for Anthony Flores.
557 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2021
Me parece que es una buena historia pero siento que el final fue un poco flojo.

En esta realidad M, Peter tiene todo lo que alguna vez quiso. Más que nada a Gwen, nunca le tronó el cuello tonces, tiene un hijo y una familia.

El tío Ben no muere y eso se agradece. Aunque como sabemos no todo es un final feliz y pues, todo lo que tenia se fue al garete.

Es una buena compilación pero no me gustó el final. Siento que fue de lo más flojito que hay.
679 reviews
February 19, 2019
This was so original (Spider-Man actually as the public hero, adored by all) and yet still a classic Spider-Man tale (with all the doubt and angst and not wanting to be Spider-Man). There were a couple elements that were confusing in how the surprises play out, not to mention I'm a little unsure how this dovetails into the larger House of M storyline, but I liked this a lot.
Profile Image for Michael Craft.
40 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2021
Awesome Spidey Story,

LOVED the House of M Story about Peter Parker’s life. So wonderful to see Uncle Ben, Aunt May, George Stacy, Gwen Stacy Mary Jane and the addition of little Richie interacting with one another! And the rest of the supporting characters added so much depth to the storyline!
Profile Image for Szymon.
616 reviews25 followers
December 31, 2021
With great power comes great fish.
Spider-Man Tie-In to House of M. Gwen Stacy is alive, and she has kids with Peter. He's a celebrated actor with a grave secret (that one being that he's a human, and not mutant).
Not sure yet how I can log all of the comics next year without spamming the time line. Enjoying House of M tremendously, though.
Profile Image for ana (taylor’s version) ☾.
229 reviews11 followers
January 13, 2022
”They liked what I could be. What I pretended I want to be. Nobody liked what I am. Not even me.”

THIS WAS SO SAD WHY DID IT HAD TO BE SAD

“I’ve never been this happy in my life. I didn’t think it was possible to be this happy.”
“That is how you know… that you walk in the dreamtime.”


BUT THE END… THAT IS THE END ANDREWS’ PETER DESERVED.

IM IN SPAIN WITHOUT THE S.
Profile Image for Miguel.
568 reviews
September 5, 2017
Una aventura ambientada en el mundo de M pero que poco tiene que ver con el evento principal. Me ha recordado las obras estilo What if. En cuanto a la aventura es poco interesante, lo mejor, es la dinámica entre tío Ben y el comisario Stacy.
Profile Image for A M H.
803 reviews12 followers
October 17, 2018
Peter's struggle with guilt hits a whole new disturbing level.

I like the idea of Peter in the Mutant world, but I didn't really care for the story they chose to tell with it. I can appreciate this story and its universe for what it is though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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