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For millennia, the secretive Inhumans lived apart from humanity, going so far as to relocate their entire race from earth to the moon. Relations between the Inhumans and earth had improved over the years, thanks to multiple interactions between the Inhumans and earth’s various super heroes, such as the Fantastic Four. That changed when the former mutant Quicksilver stole the Terrigen Mists, an item of great importance, from the Inhumans. The Mists were eventually taken from Quicksilver by the United States government. When the U.S. refused to return the Mists to the Inhumans, the Inhuman’s leader, Black Bolt, declared war on the United States. Black Bolt’s emissaries spent months arguing for the peaceful return of the Mists; each argument was refused. Now, Black Bolt has ordered a bloodless, but convincing show of strength.

Four Inhumans infiltrate and commandeer an all-star, televised performance of a Shakespearean play to explain the situation. When members of the audience refuse to bow down to terrorists, one of the Inhumans goes too far and the confrontation takes a deadly turn. The Fantastic Four arrive, horrified that people they once considered friends have committed dozens of murders--on live television, no less. The FF capture the Inhumans, who are then taken into custody by the Office of National Emergency. Back on the moon, Black Bolt’s indecision on the appropriate next step drives a wedge between himself and his queen.

Writer David Hines crafts a complex situation between two different people, different governments, different ways of life. As a result of unchecked passions on both sides, harsh words have led to violence which can only escalate. The art by Fraser Irving has a haunting, menacing quality; a perfect match for the kind of story Hines and Irving are creating.

The strongest sequence is the one between Black Bolt and Medusa. Given that Black Bolt cannot speak without leveling a city, it is his telepathic queen who typically announces his wishes. This time, she gets it wrong. Black Bolt’s reaction and their subsequent confrontation was emotional and telling of where the story is going. Throughout the issue, the undercurrent of politics and strained relations are strong; I’m looking forward to exploring more of this hyper-charged political atmosphere as well as the inevitable escalation of hostilities between the Inhumans and the United States.

Silent War #1
“The Warrior”
Written by: David Hines
Art by: Frazer Irving
Production: Kate Levin
Lettered by: VC’s Joe Carmagna

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