What's up with the Inhumans? That's always a question in my mind. The Inhumans are a super-group that never seem to get much attention. They've had brief period of love after their creator, Jack Kirby, let them go. Neal Adams did a great short run in Amazing Adventures, and of course, Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee's Inhumans maxi-series put them in the forefront of the Marvel Universe for a while.
What has happened to the Inhumans during the past year?
About a year ago, the Inhumans mini-series, Silent War, ended. During the war against Earth, we saw Black Bolt make some very questionable decisions. Medusa started acted strangely, having long private conversations with Black Bolt's brother, Maximus. As many long-time readers already know, Maximus is totally insane and usually sits in his jail cell waiting an opportunity to seize Black Bolt's throne. At the end of Silent War, Black Bolt's plan has misfired and destroyed Attilan. Maximus is free and not only has the throne, but the hand of Medusa as well. I could not believe that Black Bolt could just sit back and let this all happen.
But then, six months ago, we all read the concluding chapter of New Avengers Illuminati (issue 5). In this shocking panel, we see the mute, silent Black Bolt speak for the first time. Except it's a Skrull--the second mind-blowing Skrull revelation after Elektra! Suddenly the events of Silent War appear to make more sense, if that Black Bolt was indeed not the genuine article.
Now, in May 2008, we see an alternate version of the Inhumans in Clandestine #4. Clandestine and the classic Excalibur team (on the Cross-Time Express) visit an alternate earth where Maximus has all of the Inhumans under his command. I always prefer the classic take on Marvel characters, and in this splash page, Davis has the Inhumans in their classic Kirby-designed costumes. I rather like seeing Crystal with the Kirby headbands and mask. I wonder if Alan Davis would consider doing an Inhumans series? I wonder if Marvel would let him do it?
Talk about madness...I was just about to refer to the above as in-continuity until I re-read the issue and saw the words "alternate earth". But I feel the need to track the Inhumans wherever they go. Nuff said.
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