‘Inhumans’ makes theater stop before heading for TV
“Marvel’s Inhumans” will premiere on ABC at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. But Marvel fans can get an early look Sept. 1 in IMAX theaters.
The “Inhumans” in the comics most often focus on the adventures and conflicts of a superpowered royal family, living, in many cases, on the moon. In the TV series, they’ve been banished to Earth.
In the comics, the Inhumans are led by the mute Black Bolt, who cannot speak without his voice causing extreme destruction. He’s part of the Royal Family of the hidden city of Attilan, which leads the Inhumans.
In the show, Black Bolt is played by Anson Mount (“Hell on Wheels”). He’s married to Medusa, queen of the Inhumans, played by Serinda Swan. Medusa has the ability to control and use her long hair as a weapon.
Black Bolt’s brother, Maximus, often in the comics opposes his sibling’s leadership. Maximus is played by Game of Thrones’ Iwan Rheon. Also set to appear on the show are Inhumans Karnak, Triton, Gorgon and Crystal, as well as the teleporting giant dog known as Lockjaw.
The Inhumans descended from ancient humans, improved with genetic experiments conducted by aliens known as the Kree. (The Kree have been seen in the Marvel Studios film “Guardians of the Galaxy”). The Inhumans lived separated from humanity for thousands of years, and each Inhuman subjects himself to the Terrigen mists during a coming-of-age ceremony; this mutagen changes the Inhuman, often bestowing astounding powers.
The following are a few recommended reads for back story on the “Inhumans” saga in the comics.
‘Inhumans: The Origin of the Inhumans’
Reprinted in 2013, this graphic novel collects Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s original stories about the Inhumans. The Inhumans first appeared in 1965, in what’s often considered Lee and Kirby’s most fertile creative era of the “Fantastic Four.”
This collection includes “Fantastic Four” (1961) #36, #38, #41-47, #54, #62-65 and ANNUAL #5 and material from “Fantastic Four” (1961) #48, #50, #52, #55-61 and “Thor” (1966) #146-152.
Inhumans Masterworks Vol. 1-2
Two volumes of Marvel Masterworks reprint early Inhumans tales and
reveal the origins of Black Bolt. The backup tales from “Thor” unfortunately overlap with the “Origin” book.
The first volume collects Thor #146-152, Amazing Adventures #1-10, The Avengers #95 & Marvel Super-Heroes #15 and material from Not Brand Ecch #6 & 12.
You can get a taste of this series for just $1 with the “True Believers: Inhumans” issue that Marvel released last month, reprinting
material from “Amazing Adventures” #1 and #2.
The second Masterworks reprint collects Inhumans (1975) #1-12, Captain Marvel (1968) #52-53 and material from What If ...? #2930, Marvel Fanfare #14 & Thor Annual #12.
The Inhumans face off against the Kree and the Skrull in the War of the Three Galaxies. Early work from George Perez (“Avengers,” “Justice League”) can be found in this edition.
‘Marvel Knights: Inhumans’
Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee crafted probably the most acclaimed Inhumans tale as part of the late-1990s Marvel Knights line. The 12 issues were reprinted in a 2014 collection.
The Inhumans face threats from external invaders and from internal quarrels in this tale that brings questions of class division and political intrigue to the Marvel heroes.