| Inhumans | |
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Cover of Inhumans vol. 2 (July 2001), trade paperback collected edition. Art by Jae Lee. |
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| Species publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| Characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Blue Area of the Moon |
| Notable members | List of Inhumans Royal Family: Black Bolt Medusa Karnak Gorgon Triton Crystal Lockjaw Maximus the Mad New generation: Tonaja Alaris San Nahrees Jolen Dewoz |
| Inherent abilities | Varies |
| The Inhumans or Inhumans | |
| Series publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | (vol. 1) Bi-monthly (vols. 2–4) Monthly |
| Format | (vols. 1 & 4) Ongoing series (vols. 2 & 3) Limited series |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | (vol. 1) October 1975 – August 1977 (vol. 2) November 1998 – October 1999 (vol. 3) June – October 2000 (vol. 4) June 2003 – June 2004 |
| Number of issues | (vols. 1, 2, & 4) 12 (vol. 3) 4 |
| Collected editions | |
| Inhumans | ISBN 0-7851-0753-3 |
| Young Inhumans | ISBN 0-7851-3382-8 |
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe.
The comic book series of this name have usually focused more specifically on the adventures of the Inhuman Royal Family, and many people associate the name "Inhumans" with this particular team of super-powered beings. (However, recent series have looked at the "new generation" of the Inhuman society.[1])
The Inhumans first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965), though members Medusa and Gorgon appeared in earlier issues of that series (#36 and #44, respectively). Their home, the city of Attilan, was first mentioned years earlier, in a "Tuk the Caveboy" story written and drawn by Jack Kirby that appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941). The city was described as the home of a race that was evolutionarily advanced when human beings were still in the caveman era.
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In 2007, the Inhumans featured in their own limited series by writer David Hine,[2][3][4] and artist Frazer Irving.[5]
Following events in the Secret Invasion, the Inhumans are one side of the "War of Kings" storyline, with Black Bolt being made king of the Kree, facing off against Vulcan, who is leading the Shi'ar. Editor Bill Rosemann said:
| “ | War of Kings is two freight trains locked on a collision course. On one side you have Vulcan, the third Summers brother who is swiftly and viciously expanding the Shi'ar Empire. On the other you have Black Bolt, who—as you'll see in Secret Invasion: Inhumans—is, to quote Network, 'mad as hell and isn't going to take it anymore.' In issue #2 of SI: Inhumans, you saw the seeds planted for an Inhuman/Kree alliance—and that's going to quickly blossom into a force to be reckoned with.[6] | ” |
At the beginning of the Kree-Skrull War, millions of years ago in Earth time, the alien Kree established a station on the planet Uranus, a strategic position between the Kree and Skrull empires. Through their work at this station, they discovered that sentient life on nearby Earth had genetic potential invested in it by the alien Celestials. Intrigued, the Kree began to experiment on Earth's then-primitive Homo sapiens to produce the genetically advanced Inhuman race.[7] Their goal was apparently twofold—to investigate possible ways of circumventing their own evolutionary stagnation, and to create a powerful mutant race of soldiers for use against the Skrulls.[8] However, although their experiments were successful in creating a strain of humanity with extraordinary abilities, the Kree abandoned their experiment for reasons which are not yet clear.
Their test subjects, the Inhumans, went on to form a society of their own, which thrived in seclusion from the rest of humanity and developed advanced technology. Experiments with the mutagenic Terrigen Mist (a process known as Terrigenesis) gave them various powers, but also caused lasting genetic damage and deformities. This led to a long-term selective breeding program to try to mitigate the effects of these mutations.[7]
Attilan's society and culture are predicated on a conformist belief system which permits individuality as it applies to genetic development and physical and mental ability, but demands rigid conformity in that each member of society is assigned a place within that society according to those abilities following exposure to the Terrigen Mist. Once assigned, no Inhuman, no matter how great or powerful, can change their place within this rigid caste system.[9] The Inhumans' culture also strictly prohibits miscegenation between Inhumans and other races. Although a member of the Royal Family, the Inhuman Crystal ignored this prohibition to wed the mutant Quicksilver.[10]
The Inhumans are led by their king, Black Bolt, and his Royal Family, consisting of Medusa, Karnak, Gorgon, Triton, Crystal, Maximus the Mad, and the canine Lockjaw. Both Crystal and Medusa have been members of the Fantastic Four; Crystal has also been a member of the Avengers.
Black Bolt has guided the Inhumans through some of the most turbulent times in their history, including several attempts by Maximus to usurp the throne, revolts by the worker class (with their eventual emancipation), attacks by human renegades, the kidnapping of Medusa, the destruction and rebuilding of Attilan, and the revelation of the Inhuman existence to humanity.
His role as king of the Inhumans has been tumultuous. The first major crisis occurred when he and Medusa conceived a child. Medusa bore the child in defiance of the Genetic Council, who felt that Black Bolt's bloodline was too dangerous to pass on. The Council nonetheless took the child to examine, and forbade parental contact. Black Bolt was torn between his love of family and his duty to respect the Genetic Council, and it was only when the Council was revealed to be using his son in a plot against him that he finally turned against the Council. With that, he also gave up the crown as king of the Inhumans. For a while, they lived away from Attilan, but returned in times of need.
The once-secret existence of the race has come to light among the general public as the Inhumans interact more often with many of Earth's superheroes—including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the X-Men—whom they have aided against threats such as Doctor Doom,[11] Galactus,[12] Ultron 7,[13] Magneto, and Apocalypse.[14]
Inhuman society changed radically when Ronan the Accuser sought to use the Inhumans as an army to disrupt the Shi'ar control of the Kree after their defeat in the Kree-Shi'ar War. Appearing over the city of Attilan, Ronan seized control in a surprise attack and forced the Inhumans and their king, Black Bolt, to obey, or he would destroy their only home and everyone in it. During their time in forced servitude, Ronan revealed that the Inhumans had always been intended as weapons in service to the Kree. To this end, much of the genetic attributes that were encoded in them during the original experiments were meant to give them the abilities and appearances of various alien races, the idea being that these Inhuman slaves could be used to infiltrate alien worlds and races to conduct espionage or assassinations to weaken potential conquests. Ronan used the Inhumans in just this manner, disrupting treaties being negotiated by the Shi'ar, and launching attacks on ships and bases.[8]
Eventually, Black Bolt sought to free his people by challenging Ronan to a personal battle. If Ronan won, the Inhumans would continue to serve him. If the king won, the Inhumans would go free. After a terrible battle, Black Bolt won and Ronan, demonstrating that the Kree still had honor, kept his word and left the Inhumans. All was not over however, as the Inhumans were not willing to just follow Black Bolt back to Earth. Pressure had been building in the closed society of Attilan since open contact with the outside world had been made. During their enslavement by Ronan, the Inhumans had wished for their freedom, but had also developed a sense of pride in their power and a belief in their own destiny. They no longer believed that Black Bolt or the Royal Family was fit to lead them in the new life they wanted, and they exiled the Royal Family from Attilan.[15] The Royal Family returned to Earth to find their destiny. After suffering bigotry while living in Latveria, they returned to Attilan, which was located on the Blue Area of the Moon. The Inhumans began to foster better relations with Earth by sending students to a Wisconsin university.[16]
Throughout history, their city Attilan has frequently been relocated and, as of the 2008 "War of Kings" story arc, has taken off from the oxygen-bearing Blue Area of the Moon[17] into space.[18]
In the events of Son of M, Quicksilver stole the Terrigen Crystals in an attempt to regain his powers and cure the de-powered mutants from M-Day. The theft led to a conflict on Genosha between the re-powered mutants (whose powers came back as too powerful for their own good causing their eventual surrender), the Inhumans, and the U.S. Office of National Emergency. The conflict ended with the O.N.E. confiscating the Terrigen Crystals, an act that incited Black Bolt to verbally declare war on the United States.[19]
In January 2007, the mini-series Silent War began, with Gorgon launching a first strike on New York.[20] Although the Inhumans do manage to recover the crystals, the episode ends with Maximus again taking control of Attilan.[21][22]
It has recently been revealed that Black Bolt has been replaced by a Skrull impostor, in a time frame after Silent War, but before World War Hulk.[23][24] The impostor revealed himself to the Illuminati and was killed. Both the sudden rift between Medusa and Black Bolt apparent in Silent War and Black Bolt's later defeat at the hands of Hulk in World War Hulk could be attributed to this development, for it is uncertain just when Black Bolt might have been replaced by his Skrull duplicate.
Written by Heroes writer Joe Pokaski, this story digs into how the Inhuman Royal Family deals with the news that the Black Bolt they knew was a Skrull impostor. The Skrulls attack Attilan while Black Bolt is revealed to be a prisoner of the Skrulls, who intend to use his voice as a weapon of mass destruction. The Inhuman Royal Family defeated several Skrulls soldiers and took a Skrull ship with the point of taking the war to the Skrulls and save Black Bolt. With some help from the Kree, they rescue Black Bolt and return to Attilan.[25]
Finally deciding they will no longer be used and abused by other races, the Inhumans take drastic action to ensure their survival as a race. To that end, they activate a series of long dormant machines beneath the city of Attilan, transforming it into a gigantic starship, powered by Black Bolt's voice. Breaking free from its resting place on the Moon, Attilan enters hyperspace and tracks down the remnants of the Skrull Armada, completely eradicating it. As Attilan enters Shi'ar space, it attracts the attention of three Shi'ar warships, who order them to depart or they will open fire. They, too are destroyed without mercy.
Attilan reaches the planet Hala, destroying the protective shield that guards their weakened empire and enter the planet itself. The Royal Family confronts Ronan the Accuser, who is serving as king. He admitted he felt that he was just holding the spot of ruler for their true king, Black Bolt (like the Celestials, the Kree experimented on the humans to create the perfect weapons and the Inhumans were created, but Black Bolt declined the seat of king, then).[18]
The Inhuman Royal Family confront the Unspoken (who happens to be Black Bolt's cousin).[26]
The Inhumans seized control of the Kree Empire, with the promise of jump-starting the Kree's stagnant genetic makeup. As part of the arrangement, Crystal marries the Kree leader Ronan the Accuser. During the wedding, Vulcan with the Shi'ar attempts to seize control of the Kree Empire. After severe casualties on both sides, Black Bolt and Vulcan are killed in single combat. The resulting energy creates "The Fault" and destroys most of the Shi'ar fleet. Without their fleet and with their rulers dead, the Shi'ar surrender.
Back on Earth, the Fantastic Four encounter an interstellar group of Inhumans, formed from four different races (Centaurians, Dire Wraiths, Kymellians, and Badoons). These new Inhumans reveal that the Kree also experimented other interstellar races, aside from humans, and used methods other than the Terrigen Mists. The resulting Universal Inhumans have banded together and traveled to Earth in search of Black Bolt, who they believe will lead their collective people in an eventual takeover of Earth.[27] When Black Bolt returned, the Universal Inhumans arrive on Earth's moon where a prophecy revolving around the four cities is revealed.[28]
Even without using the Terrigen Mist, the Kree modifications, combined with centuries of selective breeding, have given all Inhumans certain advantages. Their average lifespan is 150 years and an Inhuman in good physical condition possesses strength, reaction time, speed, and endurance greater than the finest of human athletes. Karnak and other normal Inhumans who are in excellent physical shape can lift one ton and are physically slightly superior to the peak of normal human physical achievement. Exposure to the Terrigen Mist can both enhance and in some cases reduce these physical capabilities. However, most Inhumans are used to living in a pollution-free, germ-free environment and have difficulty tolerating Earth's current level of air and water pollution for any length of time.
In this alternate reality created by Franklin Richards, the Inhumans are mostly the same. They live on Earth, in Attilan. The biggest difference is the reverence they hold, shown in statues, for Galactus and the multitude of heralds who operate for him simultaneously. The Terrigen Mists are not completely under their control, coming from a crack in the ground. Their ultimate origins are unknown but Maximus the Mad escapes in the caverns deep beneath the city to locate it. Here it is discovered their city also holds connections to other areas of the world, such as Mole Man's Monster Isle.
Black Bolt appears as an ally of Black Panther.[29] The other Inhumans were present at the meeting between Black Bolt, Professor X, and Magneto.
The Inhumans made their debut in the Ultimate Marvel Universe in Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 (2005). It begins with two mountain climbers reached the walls of their city, Atillan, in the Himalayas when they are turned back with their memories erased. The Inhumans made themselves known to the Fantastic Four when a member of their royalty, Crystal, fled to New York after being ordered to marry Black Bolt's brother. Johnny came across Crystal and attempted to save her from two royal guards from Atillan who were trying to capture her. Beaten, Crystal took him back to the Baxter Building, and revealed herself to the Fantastic Four. She left behind her dog Lockjaw, who had the ability to teleport the Fantastic Four to Atillan. Once their presence was discovered, the city was stripped of its advanced technology and destroyed by Black Bolt, and the Inhumans, including Crystal, relocated. They are hinted to have relocated to the Moon.
The Ultimate Attilan is quite different in appearance from the Marvel Universe version, like a giant wasp's nest crossed with a gothic cathedral. Ultimate Crystal, Lockjaw and Black Bolt are similar to their counterparts; Medusa is depicted as having actual snakes for hair, like her mythical namesake. Gorgon is female, Karnak projects energy blasts (though he can still sense weaknesses and pressure points), Triton has a more squid-like appearance, and Maximus is a somewhat effete courtier, whom Crystal describes as "preening" and a "peacock". Other Inhumans shown include Tri-clops, with clairvoyant vision (including the power to see the invisible), Densitor (Maximus' flunky, who can presumably increase his strength, durability and mass, enough to become fireproof) and an unnamed Inhuman who can produce a swarm of insect-like flying creatures from his body.
They claimed that their city had remained secret for 10,000 years, which makes their ancestors contemporaries with Ultimate Marvel's Atlantis.
The Un-People are a superhero group in the Amalgam Comics universe. They are a combination of DC Comics' Forever People and Marvel Comics' Inhumans.[30]
In the 2004 Marvel Knights 2099: Inhumans one-shot written by Robert Kirkman, which took place in the future on an alternate world (Earth-2992) that was not identical to the alternate Marvel Universe on Earth-928 featured in the 1990s Marvel 2099 books, the Inhumans leave Earth's moon and are forced to live aboard a spaceship after the mutant registration act is passed. After leaving, Black Bolt places himself and his closest confidants (Triton, Gorgon, Karnak, Crystal, and Medusa) in cryogenic stasis and, in his absence, his brother Maximus takes over as leader of the Inhumans living aboard the spacecraft. While in control, Maximus kills Black Bolt's confidants in their sleep. Fifty years later, Black Bolt is released from cryogenic stasis to find that Maximus has killed those closest to him. In retaliation, he breaks his vow of silence and destroys the Inhumans' spacecraft killing all aboard including himself.[31]
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inhumans | Inhumans vol. 2, #1–12 | August 2000 | 0-7851-0753-3 |
| Fantastic Four/Inhumans | Inhumans vol. 3, #1–4; Fantastic Four vol. 3, #51–54 | July 2007 | 0-7851-2703-8 |
| Inhumans: Culture Shock | Inhumans vol. 4, #1–6 | March 2005 | 0-7851-1755-5 |
| Young Inhumans | Inhumans vol. 4, #1–12 | September 2008 | 0-7851-3382-8 |
| Decimation: Son of M | Son of M #1–6 | September 2006 | 0-7851-1970-1 |
| Silent War | Silent War #1–6 | October 2007 | 0-7851-2425-X |
| Secret Invasion: Inhumans | Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1–4; Thor #146–147 | March 2009 | 0-7851-3248-1 |
| War of Kings: Road to War of Kings | Secret Invasion: War of Kings; War of Kings Saga; X-Men: Divided We Stand #2; X-Men: Kingbreaker #1–4 | May 2009 | 0-7851-3967-2 |
| War of Kings | War of Kings #1–6 | November 2009 | 0-7851-3542-1 |
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Masterworks: Inhumans, Vol. 1 | Thor #146–152; Amazing Adventures #1–10; Avengers #95; Marvel Super-Heroes #15 | October 2009 | 978-0-7851-4141-9 |
| Marvel Masterworks: Inhumans, Vol. 2 | Inhumans #1–12; Captain Marvel #52–53; Fantastic Four Annual #12; Marvel Fanfare #14; What If? #29–30; Thor Annual #12 | April 2010 | 978-0-7851-4151-8 |
In 1999, Inhumans vol. 2 won the Eisner Award for "Best New Series".[32]
In his book, Kiss and Make-Up, Gene Simmons writes that his make-up was taken from the Bat Wings of Black Bolt character.
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