Royals #1
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Jonboy Meyers
With Royals #1, Al Ewing only needed to build on the momentum of his primer issue Inhumans: Prime #1. Ewing proved he had a strong vision for the future of the Inhumans but most importantly proved he had an adept handle on the unique voices of the Inhuman characters. Royals #1 does not do much to reinforce the strengths of Ewing’s writing. The sluggish set-up of Royals #1 is clear evidence that a lot of stories benefit greatly for jumping into the adventure and showing the necessary set-up in brief flashbacks. Royals #1 reads like a 0 issue with one interesting development at the end but that isn’t enough to encourage readers to hop onto a franchise that’s been tediously pushed by Marvel since 2014.
In his letter to readers at the end of the issue, Ewing talks about how the Inhumans need to be a mythic group of characters. I believe this analysis to be incomplete. What makes Paul Jenkins’ Inhumans series so great the combination of myth and royalty. The title of this series suggests there will be a heavy emphasis on the royalty of the principle Inhumans characters but that unfortunately is what is sorely missing for the tone of this issue. By nature, the Inhumans’ power distances them from readers. Even if they are now the ex-royal family, Black Bolt is a king and Medusa is a Queen. They must be commanding and powerful, even in their vulnerability. The trap that Ewing falls in is he makes them feel more like the X-men than the Inhumans. This is the plague of post-Infinity Inhumans books. They haven’t distinguished themselves enough from the X-men and this issue, unlike the Inhumans: Prime, falls right into that trap.
Ewing begins the comic in a future where there is only one Inhuman left, telling the tale of his species’ downfall. This framing device plays to the mythical idea Al Ewing is trying to emphasize. This was a strong way to begin this series because it does make you feel that you are reading a truly significant story. It is the most important story in the history of the mythical Inhumans whose demise was caused by their desire to discover the truth about their existence. This premise is what makes me more optimistic about the future of this series. Once the journey begins, I have no doubt Ewing’s mythic narrative will energize the Inhumans. Unfortunately, this issue doesn’t play to the strengths of Ewing’s strong ideas.
Jonboy Meyers draws this issue with mixed results. Meyers nails the introduction where he portrays the future world with great scope and a beautiful design. Royals #1 looks best when there are big monsters fighting the Inhumans or ships flying into space. Meyers’ strength lies in his ability to convey Ewing’s mythic and epic ideas. His weaknesses, unfortunately, are the most important moments of this issue. Meyers’ Medusa looks more like a teenage princess than a Queen and he often fails to successfully portray his characters’ emotions. The final page of this issue doesn’t hit as hard as it should because Meyers can’t express what his character is feeling. The issue consequently goes out on a low that could have been a high.
Royals #1 fails to build on the momentum of Inhumans: Prime mainly due to its sluggish set-up. Royals would have been better off starting a few days into the journey and using flashbacks to get through the necessary set-up. Instead, we start with an awesome framing device and a lackluster introduction to what was promised to be an awesome journey. I know this series has a brighter future but it's unfortunate that a dying franchise began its relaunch with such an uninspiring comic.
Artist: Jonboy Meyers
With Royals #1, Al Ewing only needed to build on the momentum of his primer issue Inhumans: Prime #1. Ewing proved he had a strong vision for the future of the Inhumans but most importantly proved he had an adept handle on the unique voices of the Inhuman characters. Royals #1 does not do much to reinforce the strengths of Ewing’s writing. The sluggish set-up of Royals #1 is clear evidence that a lot of stories benefit greatly for jumping into the adventure and showing the necessary set-up in brief flashbacks. Royals #1 reads like a 0 issue with one interesting development at the end but that isn’t enough to encourage readers to hop onto a franchise that’s been tediously pushed by Marvel since 2014.
In his letter to readers at the end of the issue, Ewing talks about how the Inhumans need to be a mythic group of characters. I believe this analysis to be incomplete. What makes Paul Jenkins’ Inhumans series so great the combination of myth and royalty. The title of this series suggests there will be a heavy emphasis on the royalty of the principle Inhumans characters but that unfortunately is what is sorely missing for the tone of this issue. By nature, the Inhumans’ power distances them from readers. Even if they are now the ex-royal family, Black Bolt is a king and Medusa is a Queen. They must be commanding and powerful, even in their vulnerability. The trap that Ewing falls in is he makes them feel more like the X-men than the Inhumans. This is the plague of post-Infinity Inhumans books. They haven’t distinguished themselves enough from the X-men and this issue, unlike the Inhumans: Prime, falls right into that trap.
Ewing begins the comic in a future where there is only one Inhuman left, telling the tale of his species’ downfall. This framing device plays to the mythical idea Al Ewing is trying to emphasize. This was a strong way to begin this series because it does make you feel that you are reading a truly significant story. It is the most important story in the history of the mythical Inhumans whose demise was caused by their desire to discover the truth about their existence. This premise is what makes me more optimistic about the future of this series. Once the journey begins, I have no doubt Ewing’s mythic narrative will energize the Inhumans. Unfortunately, this issue doesn’t play to the strengths of Ewing’s strong ideas.
Jonboy Meyers draws this issue with mixed results. Meyers nails the introduction where he portrays the future world with great scope and a beautiful design. Royals #1 looks best when there are big monsters fighting the Inhumans or ships flying into space. Meyers’ strength lies in his ability to convey Ewing’s mythic and epic ideas. His weaknesses, unfortunately, are the most important moments of this issue. Meyers’ Medusa looks more like a teenage princess than a Queen and he often fails to successfully portray his characters’ emotions. The final page of this issue doesn’t hit as hard as it should because Meyers can’t express what his character is feeling. The issue consequently goes out on a low that could have been a high.
Royals #1 fails to build on the momentum of Inhumans: Prime mainly due to its sluggish set-up. Royals would have been better off starting a few days into the journey and using flashbacks to get through the necessary set-up. Instead, we start with an awesome framing device and a lackluster introduction to what was promised to be an awesome journey. I know this series has a brighter future but it's unfortunate that a dying franchise began its relaunch with such an uninspiring comic.
A Look Inside
