Uncanny Inhumans #0

by Kalem Lalonde on April 03, 2015

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Steve Mcniven

I read the debut issue of Charles Soule’s Inhuman book last year and I was not impressed. It really didn’t pique my interest the way I hoped it would and I think Black Bolt’s absence had a lot to do with that. My biggest exposure to Black Bolt is Hickman’s Avengers where I fell in love with the character during Infinity. That is why upon hearing Marvel announce this book, I was skeptical and excited altogether. Charles Soule has it in him to be an amazing writer and they couldn’t have picked a more appealing artist than the great Steve Mcniven. Though, this is very much a 0 issue, Soule has shown that he is capable of writing a great Inhuman book. I’m glad to report that Uncanny Inhumans #0 is the Inhuman comic I’ve been waiting for.

This issue mainly succeeds in developing Black Bolt as a character and establishing his place in the Inhuman universe. The regal hero is being scorned by his wife and kingdom following his actions in Infinity. Charles Soule doesn’t give much context as to why this is but none of it feels clunky or unnecessary. The writer creates a very strong dynamic between Black Bolt and his wife, who evidently loves him but is too conflicted with his actions to allow him into her life.

Black Bolt’s fractured family life drives this issue forward as he ventures through the time stream to reunite with his missing son. Through this sequence, Charles Soule reminds me why I think Black Bolt is such an awesome character. His power is one of the most incredible powers ever imagined because it becomes such an essential part of who he is. He isn’t able to verbally communicate with others but when he does speak, it is something to behold. Especially when the devastative nature of his voice is drawn by Steven Mcniven. What this comic gets right is Black Bolt and that’s what made it so great.

Steve Mcniven covers the art duties for this issue and Marvel could not have picked a better artist to pencil this book. I say about most Mcniven drawn projects but that is simply because he is one of the best artist working today. His work is enormously detailed and precise. Art in a book staring Black Bolt is extremely important because you have to communicate his thoughts and feelings through his face and body and Steve Mcniven completely nails that aspects. His art is completely sublime and I’m hoping they can hang on to him for more than just 4 issues.

This issue also comes with a 6-page backup story written by frequent Inhuman artist Ryan Stegman. Unfortunately, I found this story to be quite redundant. It didn’t complement any of the ideas presented in the main story and didn’t have a strong enough quality to feel beneficial. The writing was okay, but the main back draw was the art by Ryan Lee. After having read an issue draw by Steve Mcniven, Lee’s art was a huge drop in visual beauty. Unfortunately this story felt shoehorned into this issue to jump the price up to 4.99$.

Marvel have been trying to push the Inhumans into higher status in the last year and it hasn’t caught on all that much. However, if Charles Soule can maintain the quality of this issue with this series, it could finally spark the popularity that Marvel are searching for. Black Bolt is a fantastic character and Charles Soule uses an excellent portrayal of him to drive this series to its high quality. I don’t know what this series will be like when issue #1 comes out, but if it’s anything like this, count me onboard. 
 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside