Remember that Inhumans movie that was supposed to happen in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Well, it's still happening — but, like its titular race of superpowered aliens, it has morphed and taken a new form. This Thursday, ABC revealed a first look at Marvel's Inhumans, their upcoming television series debuting this fall. And to get audiences stoked for that splashy debut, the network has released the first official image of the show's core cast of characters.
Since the Inhumans were first introduced to the MCU on ABC in Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., it feels like television, not the theater, is their natural home. But, technically speaking, it's still premiering in theaters as originally promised: the first two episodes of Inhumans will screen in IMAX theaters as a two-hour event on Sept. 1, before moving to its permanent home on ABC starting Sept. 26. So, who are these Inhumans, exactly?
While some of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Inhumans originated in the comic books (Daisy Johnson, Yo-Yo), even more were created specifically for the show itself (Raina, Lincoln, Joey, Vijay). Inhumans will take a different tack, adapting some of the most famous characters from the Marvel Comics storyline to the screen.
Here's the scoop on the six faces glimpsed in ABC's first look at Inhumans:
1. Black Bolt (Anson Mount)
Full name: Blackagar Boltagon
Powers: He can control electrons to augment any of his natural abilities, turning them into supercharged weapons like Master Blow (a concussive punch) or Sonic Scream (the ability to create shockwaves with his voice).
Bio: King of the Inhumans and head of the royal family of Attilan, Black Bolt is one of the most powerful of his kind, and has a contentious relationship with his younger brother, Maximus.
2. Medusa (Serinda Swan)
Full name: Medusalith Amaquelin
Powers: Trichokinesis, or the ability to control her own hair, causing it to grow on command, using it to manipulate objects or bind her enemies, and employing it as a whip-like weapon.
Bio: Wife of Black Bolt (and also his second cousin), Medusa is the Queen of the Inhumans — and also the object of affection for her brother-in-law, Maximus.
3. Maximus (Iwan Rheon)
Full name: Maximus Boltagon (aka Maximus The Mad)
Powers: He possesses mental abilities which not only grant him genius intellect, but also the power to override other people's minds.
Bio: Black Bolt's younger brother, Maximus has long sought to usurp the king's throne out of misguided devotion to the purity of the Inhuman race.
4. Karnak (Ken Leung)
Full name: Magister Karnak Mander-Azur
Powers: An Inhuman never exposed to the terrigen mists, Karnak has no superpowers (other than the generally elevated strength and reflexes his alien heritage allows him), but has trained himself to be a master martial artist.
Bio: Black Bolt's cousin and closest advisor; a priest and philosopher, he has an uncanny ability to find and exploit his enemy's weaknesses.
5. Gorgon (Eme Ikwuakor)
Full name: Gorgon Petragon
Powers: He is incredibly strong, even for an Inhuman — and his hooved feet are capable of creating devastating seismic waves when stomped into the ground.
Bio: Another of Black Bolt's cousin, Gorgon works as the king's personal bodyguard, and also teaches young Inhumans how to control their powers after they undergo terrigenesis.
6. Crystal (Isabelle Cornish)
Full name: Crystalia Amaquelin
Powers: With her power to control the four basic elements, Crystal has a wide range of abilities from flight (air), to causing earthquakes (earth), to instantly freezing things (water), and pyrokinesis (fire).
Bio: Medusa's younger sister, Crystal is the princess of Attilan. She is constantly accompanied by her teleporting canine companion Lockjaw.
So far, the entire cast of characters sound interesting enough. I can't wait to see them in action on the show; TV could always use more superhero shows, as far as I'm concerned.
