Books : The Inhumans (Marvel Comics, Fantastic Four)

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Rating:

- Great Sci-fi Story and Stunning Artwork will Convert Anyone to a Comics Lover
This is a great first read for anyone who just doesn't understand what the big deal is about graphic storytelling. I've given copies as gifts to several friends and they've all started on their own diverse journeys into the medium now, ranging from classic Marvel to modern long format "Graphic Novels".

A caveat: this piece is so good that it may be hard to find a suitable follow-up for it, as many other works fall short. There's little else of this sweeping scope and yet tight, clean format with such beautiful artwork that is accessible to "comics virgins."

Rating:

- Keeps you guessing
If you want to see Inhumans kicking butt, then this isn't the book for you. This book will give you a close look at the personalities of the Inhumans. This book also has mysteries that you won't figure out right away. A great tale of suspense and thrill, along with a twist of the new generation of young Inhumans to go through the terrigen mists. AWESOME READ!!!

Rating:

- Not great, not bad
This book features great art, but I am an admitted fan of Lee's work. The story on the other hand is not great. You read the whole book expecting that something good or interesting will happen, but it never does. With hindsight, I would only purchase it if the price was right.

Rating:

- Blackbolt is now my favorite hero.
I've read a lot of comics. Never have I felt that I understood and connected with a character such as Jenkin's Blackbolt. For Blackbolt to save his people's lives he had to sacrife their trust in him. AMAZING. To have to meditate an hour everyday so that a cough or a hiccup doesn't kill everybody you love and care about; that's INCREDIBLE. For your brother to be your greatest enemy and yet after he brings the whole city to the brink of destruction you feel sorry and forgive him like he just eat the last piece of cake? UNIMAGINABLE. This my fellow readers is a masterpiece. 1 of the top five books I have EVER read. Nuff' Said.

Rating:

- A grand and enchanting spotlight on some of Marvel's most overlooked characters
The Inhumans are some of the most compelling characters in the Marvel universe, despite being decidedly obscure. Speculative fan grudge matches rarely include the citizens of Attilan, despite the fact that a sustained scream from Black Bolt would probably vaporize much of the known Marvel universe. But for this 12-issue miniseries puts the Inhumans take center stage, as their peaceful seclusion is threatened by a human invasion.

Jenkins takes us into Inhuman society without asking for any prior knowledge of the characters, introducing us to the Inhuman royal family: the martial, obstinate Gorgon; the contemplative, tattooed Karnak; the devoted and self-sacrificing Medusa; the noble, compassionate Triton; the passionate and free-spirited Crystal; the demented and corrupt Maximus; the lovable giant dog Lockjaw (whose Ben Grimm chew toy is a priceless flourish); and of course, the silent king of Attilan, Black Bolt.

Through deft use of second-person narration, Jenkins accomplishes the formidable task of allowing us to identify with one of the Marvel U's most powerful and enigmatic characters. A first-person account of Black Bolt's thoughts would cheapen his silence, but Jenkins' gently speculative outsider view coupled with the king's gestures and postures conveys multitudes.

Jae Lee's rich, gorgeous artwork brings the Inhumans' highly advanced but deeply traditional society to life. Lee is currently receiving some well-deserved acclaim for his sumptuous, lavish work on The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born miniseries, and his contributions from years earlier don't disappointment.

The series isn't perfect - it tends to drag a bit towards the middle, and we can empathize with the family's frustration at Black Bolt's seeming inaction as he patiently observes the events unfolding around him. But it makes up for this with a battery of priceless moments and set-pieces. The second issue's portrayal of a group of adolescents' terrigenesis is flawless; Triton's involvement at the sinking of the Lusitania is riveting and moving; and the view of the chaos in Attilan from Lockjaw's point of view is deeply endearing and tons of fun.

The Inhumans' profile has been raised a bit as of late, thanks to Black Bolt's involvement in the Illuminati and the fallout from the House of M. It's as good a time as any to revisit this treasure of a miniseries, which presents the Marvel U's greatest ever characterization of Attilan's aristocracy.

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