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iffer's review
4.0
I have an odd soft spot for the Inhumans, though I haven't read that many Inhumans comics, and even though they and their storylines can often be simultaneously hokey and take themselves too seriously. My soft spot extended to Black Bolt, and this storyline is sometimes hokey and sometimes takes itself too seriously, but I enjoyed it!
A large part of my positive experience with this collection was no doubt the artwork. It far exceeded my expectations. I was expecting somewhat bland, standard Marvel artwork, but Christian Ward's's style is so well-suited to cosmic titles. His linework is loose, and combined with a restrained cool color palette carefully punctuated with some warm neons, Ward captures the wonder of outer space, as well the as the confinement of a prison.
Saladin Ahmed's story may not break new ground, and it is obviously political in its close-the-prison storyline, as well as its hope and insistence that people can repent and reform *despite*, not because of*, incarceration and torture, mostly through forming human connection.
A large part of my positive experience with this collection was no doubt the artwork. It far exceeded my expectations. I was expecting somewhat bland, standard Marvel artwork, but Christian Ward's's style is so well-suited to cosmic titles. His linework is loose, and combined with a restrained cool color palette carefully punctuated with some warm neons, Ward captures the wonder of outer space, as well the as the confinement of a prison.
Saladin Ahmed's story may not break new ground, and it is obviously political in its close-the-prison storyline, as well as its hope and insistence that people can repent and reform *despite*, not because of*, incarceration and torture, mostly through forming human connection.
dozmuttz's review
4.0
Saladin Ahmed and Christian Ward team up to give us a series on a character that doesn't get the spotlight very much, Black Bolt. The king of the Inhumans finds himself waking up in a prison-like room while being chained and muzzled. It was supposed to be his double crossing brother, Maximus who was locked up, but with his psychic powers and some high tech, he swapped places with his brother and now Black Bolt must figure his way out. He is imprisoned in a strange place in space where there are many prisoners who are being tortured by the one known as ‘The Jailer’. Inmates are forced to die and come back to life to repent for their crimes. Black Bolt finds himself powerless and can not use his mountain shattering voice. It’s going to be a challenge escaping this strange prison, however Black Bolt runs into some help with some familiar characters; one of Thor and Hulks biggest foes, Absorbing Man, an alien telepathic little girl named Blinky, Metal Master, and a Skrull warrior named Raava. Together they work to get to the bottom of the Jailer and escape the prison.
This was my first time reading a story by Saladin Ahmed and I gotta say he provides a pretty epic space story. I also appreciate his ability to write a grounded version of such a powerful character in Black Bolt. This is the characters first solo series and there's a reason it took 52 years for that to happen since his first appearance. The character, although interesting, was never a ‘main character’ type of hero. He was so tied to the Inhumans, and with him being so powerful, and part of that power coming from his ability to speak, makes it a challenge to write a solo book for him. Ahmed thinks outside the box though, and gives us a nice in depth look into the character. It’s looking more into the person Black Bolt is, and less on the power he possesses. The whole prison escape story is also always a fun one, and making it in space is also a nice twist.
Christian Ward is the artist of this series, and like Ahmed, this was my first time seeing this creator's work. Ward is highly praised for his work on this run, and I’d say it’s pretty well deserved. He has a sort of water-color like style with some psychedelic-like elements. I think what stands out the most with Ward, however, is his color work. It’s such a beautiful collage of colors, and makes the perfect fit for a space adventure. It’s the right amount of pop to capture your eyes and immerse you into the book itself.
Overall; This was a fun first read and both creators did great in their departments. This first volume is only 6 issues of the overall 12 issue series, so I’m excited to see what the next volume holds, especially after the ending of this first one.
This was my first time reading a story by Saladin Ahmed and I gotta say he provides a pretty epic space story. I also appreciate his ability to write a grounded version of such a powerful character in Black Bolt. This is the characters first solo series and there's a reason it took 52 years for that to happen since his first appearance. The character, although interesting, was never a ‘main character’ type of hero. He was so tied to the Inhumans, and with him being so powerful, and part of that power coming from his ability to speak, makes it a challenge to write a solo book for him. Ahmed thinks outside the box though, and gives us a nice in depth look into the character. It’s looking more into the person Black Bolt is, and less on the power he possesses. The whole prison escape story is also always a fun one, and making it in space is also a nice twist.
Christian Ward is the artist of this series, and like Ahmed, this was my first time seeing this creator's work. Ward is highly praised for his work on this run, and I’d say it’s pretty well deserved. He has a sort of water-color like style with some psychedelic-like elements. I think what stands out the most with Ward, however, is his color work. It’s such a beautiful collage of colors, and makes the perfect fit for a space adventure. It’s the right amount of pop to capture your eyes and immerse you into the book itself.
Overall; This was a fun first read and both creators did great in their departments. This first volume is only 6 issues of the overall 12 issue series, so I’m excited to see what the next volume holds, especially after the ending of this first one.
standardman's review
5.0
Just as we were hitting straining point with Marvel's insistence on The Inhumans, this creative team came put with something fresh with heart and agile storytelling.
jhstack's review
4.0
A unique take on Black Bolt (who can talk now!) separated from the Inhumans and forced to break out of intergalactic prison with Crusher Creel and a motley crew of prisoners.
jennykeery's review
5.0
Saladin Ahmed is one of my favourite comics writers at the moment. His dramatic (and comedic) timing is so spot on. Poor Black Bolt really is having a hard time in this volume, but with a memorable cast of secondary characters and a contained plot with some serious stakes, it was a really enjoyable read. And the art is gorgeous too.
lonecayt's review
4.0
Beautiful artwork. I'm rather intrigued by the character, too - this is the first of him I've read. Also, Saladin Ahmed is the bomb.
carroq's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. There are some really good moments. And it gets to be funny at times, which helps lighten the mood a lot for a book about a bunch of super powered people in the ultimate prison. I knew nothing about Black Bolt going into this book, and about the same for most of the supporting characters. This volume does a decent job introducing these characters and giving the reader everything they need to know about them for this story. I didn't much care about any of them though.