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Back with the Tsunami launches, Sentinel's
Sean McKeever writes Inhumans. McKeever's take on
the characters is most clearly influenced by the well-received
Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee miniseries from a few years back.
It also seems to pose a few continuity
problems. As I recall, the last we saw of the Inhumans
was in that Pacheco/Larroca miniseries where the entire race
departed for the stars; only the Royal Family returned to
Earth in Fantastic Four. So what we really ought
to have here is an empty city with a handful of characters in
it. But we don't. We have a fully populated city.
This doesn't add up; the last miniseries was referenced in
other books, so it can't just be dismissed as out of
continuity (much as I'd like to do so - it wasn't much good).
Pretty fundamental stuff, and it can't really be brushed under
the carpet.
Anyway, for whatever reason, Attilan's
there, and it's full of Inhumans, which is handy because it
means McKeever can do what he does best. Despite the
change of setting, we're still dealing with character-based
teenage drama, one of McKeever's favoured areas.
San is a teenage Inhuman who's confident of
following in the family tradition and becoming a warrior.
Unfortunately the Terrigen Mists don't agree with him, and he
finds himself saddled with talents he has no interest in
whatsoever. It's a nice little character piece, using
the Inhumans' set up as a metaphor for all the standard themes
of identity and adolescence that McKeever tends to be keen on.
Granted, it doesn't make much headway on setting up the
overall storyline, but there's enough interest in San's
backstory to carry the first issue on its own.
Matthew Clark's artwork is beautiful stuff,
including some imaginative designs for the less athletic
Inhumans that distort their physiques while still looking
plausible. Okay, the guy with a violin bow for a finger
might be pushing things, but that's an exception. It's
great looking work, and worth a look in its own right.
Continuity problems aside, a strong first
issue.
Rating: A-
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