Review: INHUMAN ANNUAL #1

Writer:  Charles Soule
Penciler:  Ryan Stegman
Inkers:  Ryan Stegman with Jay Leisten
Color Artist:  Richard Isanove
Letterer & Production:  VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

 

We have reached the finale of the long-form story Charles Soule has been scripting since Inhuman #1.  All the dominoes have been setup, and now it is time for Lineage to knock them over.  All his pawns are in place.  Time to see what the outcome will be.

What I Liked

It was great to see every Inhuman introduced so far, all in one book.  We even get Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan in the mix.  My hope is with her star continuing to rise, that she becomes a fixture in the Inhumans corner of the Marvel Universe.

You can tell that Soule has put a lot of thought into this epic tale of the Inhumans.  Plot points introduced months ago get their payoffs here.

Ryan Stegman, Jay Leisten, and Richard Isanove absolutely bring it in this annual.  There are so many beautifully drawn pages.  One that sticks out is a two-page spread showing our heroes and villains listening to a Lineage speech.  Another page is a pretty big spoiler, so I won’t reveal that one.  Let’s just say that someone makes a rather spectacular entrance.

My favorite moment was the birth of Inferno’s niece/nephew.  We get to find out what happens when his sister, exposed to but unaffected by the Terrigen Mist, gives birth.  It is only a small peek, but it is enough of an appetizer to bring us back once Secret Wars ends.  That is, if there is anything left to return to after Secret Wars.

You don’t see many new bad guys quite like Lineage.  He is a true puppet master.  Although Lineage does not have visual powers that can be displayed on the page, he is cunning, devilish, and not to be trusted.  Intellectual power is just as dangerous as physical.

What I Didn’t Like

After singing all that praise down on Lineage, I still have to point out that he was defeated rather quickly.  Also, Lineage’s plan was never fully explained.  He keeps saying that something is coming for the Inhumans and that if they are to survive, all clans must work together.  But then he pits New Attilan against Lash’s Orollan community.

Stegman and Leisten shared inking duties on the issue.  There were pages where you could tell that the inking changed, which made them stand out compared to the others.  It was enough of a change that it took away from the pencils and colors.

One of the cooler NuHumans created is Reader.  After seeing him in an early page and on the cover, I hoped he would play a big role here.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Inhuman Annual #1 cover

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/  

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE

  • zaphod703

    Is this just nitpicking…. But this issue seemed to suggest (aka outright say) Karnak’s power is an inhuman ability. Im not Inhuman expert by far… But I thought it was always been to my knowledge Karnak never went through the mists… Only has normal Inhuman powers. And that the abilities this issue bring up… his typical powers of strength & weakness is just something he learned. Yeah not a big thing but out of the Inhuman’s Karnarks been a favorite and big part of it is how much he is part of the Inhuman royal family But has not gone through the mists to achieve his powers. It doesn’t make him inferior but stronger almost.

    • I have to admit I’m not much of an Inhuman expert either. Only started with Inhuman #1. I just assumed his was an Inhuman ability like everyone else.

      I was shocked when they killed him in the Inhumanity limited series, but love how they resurrected him. Especially the visual of him leaping out of Lineage like that.

  • Cal

    I’ve been rereading the series and I still have no idea what Lineage was talking about re: “the coming crisis”. I’ve taken it to mean the Incursions, since someone inside him had to know. But, glad to see I’m not the only one who noticed it wasn’t really paid off in the series.

    • Now you have me wanting to go back and reread this cause I’ve forgotten all the teases that never got completed. Plus, what about those Skyspears from All-New Inhumans? It was never revealed what was up with those, unless Royals will answer that.