More casual comic fans will barely recognize The Inhumans, Marvel’s race of genetically altered humans that through the ages have kept to themselves and carried on the “tradition” of enhancing their DNA. Led by Black Bolt, they live in Attilan, a city that has throughout Marvel history, changed locations. At one point it was located on the moon.
The Inhumans paint an interesting commentary on society and a person’s place in it. A fairly draconian societal tier or caste system is in place, and when you are given your power and place in society, that is it – you are where you are and your life doesn’t change. Toss this into the heavily individualized mutant universe and you can find some interesting conflicts.
Now Shout Factory brings The Inhumans motion comic to DVD. I have to admit I have only broad stroke awareness of who The Inhumans are and their role in the larger Marvel universe, so I was eager to check out this story.
We are introduced to Inhuman society first through the royal family, then the general society, and we see what makes the general backdrop for the characters and story. Each episode runs about 11 minutes featuring an episode each from the comic’s limited 12 issue run. By the time the 5th episode comes around the threat to Inhuman society from both outside and within is very clear. This is in addition to the societal shift that is taking place.
Like some of the best Marvel stories, The Inhumans tells a story that is bigger than it appears, with themes that are complex and not easily pinned down in a short period of time. Actions, consequences, morality, and more are issues here.
The biggest criticism I have for this, as with all the previous Shout Factory Marvel Knights motion comics before – when selecting “play all” as opposed to individual episodes the opening and closing credits play interrupting the narrative flow. The animation is good and much more fluid than some earlier releases.
The one special feature on the DVD takes a look at the making of the DVD, the history of the Marvel Knights line, The Inhumans and the creative process behind the limited comic series. It runs just under 30 minutes and is worth checking out.
It may not be the first choice due to its lack of initially recognizable names, but comic fans would do well to check this out.