Review by Frank Plowright

The previous two volumes followed the consequences of Black Bolt releasing the Inhumans’ sacred Terrigen mists globally, resulting in the creation of numerous new super powered individuals on the basis of Inhuman genetic stock. Following centuries of concealment, the Inhumans plonked down in the Hudson River, declared themselves an independent state, and welcomed all the newly powered, referred to as NuHumans.

This was all under the auspices of Medusa, and seen in Genesis and Axis. She’s now head of the ruling family with Black Bolt considered to be dead. As is so often the case in such situations, he’s not, and his return isn’t universally appreciated. Matters are further complicated by the head of a separate Inhuman enclave deciding the time is ripe for a coup.

Overall Inhuman has been very hit and miss. There’ll be some great art here, or a nice plot piece there, but cohesiveness has been at a premium. It’s nice to note therefore that the best chapter of the series occurs here. We have the bonding of NuHumans, a threat from within, court politics, and some fine art from André Lima Araújo, although not exactly on message regarding established designs. Gorgon’s love of Sepultura comes across as gratuitously self-indulgent, but go with it.

Charles Soule is now funnelling interesting ideas into the series with some thoughtful extrapolations of just what certain characters are capable of, extending all the way into the afterlife. His lawyer’s training is evident in a sequence debating good and evil, whether the greater benefit merits sacrifice. This has a resonance beyond the use at the time as it proves to be the primary motivation for a character about whom we’ve been uncertain.

Ryan Stegman is the other artist on offer here, and he’s already proved himself on Inhuman, although toward the end he’s looking a little rushed for time. At that point, though, the series concludes. Soule has restored much of what the Inhumans were, and added some appealing new characters. His one great flaw has been the handling of Medusa, in the face of what’s stated here by one cast member. She comes across as weak and dithering, but pretty well everything else ties together well in the end. It’s a shame the series began so poorly, because it ended in decent shape.