If you’re shooting for high concept, you really can’t aim any higher than outer space. With “Royals” #1, Al Ewing and Jonboy Meyers launch the next generation of the Inhuman resurgence deep into the final frontier. Do they achieve escape velocity or come crashing back to earth?
“Royals” #1Cover by Jonboy Meyers
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Jonboy Meyers
Colored by Ryan Kinnaird
Lettered by VC’s Clayton CowlesTHE “RESURRXION” OF THE INHUMANS BEGINS!
A myth from the future. A quest to the far stars. A legend written across galaxies. Guided by the other-dimensional Kree warrior known as Marvel Boy, the Inhuman Royal Family departs on an odyssey across all creation on search for lost secrets — and the last hope — of their people.Penned by fan-favorite Al Ewing (The Ultimates, New Avengers, Loki: Agent of Asgard) and drawn by the white-hot Jonboy Meyers (Teen Titans, Spawn), ROYALS is a Marvel-style space epic that takes the Inhuman Royal Family and plunges them into the unknown! The knowledge they seek could change the course of Inhuman destiny, but it cannot be attained without cost…for at the end of days, the Last Inhuman tells the tale of how seven left Earth for the stars…but only six returned.
Now if there’s anything that will keep a high concept first issue from firing as well as it could, it’s typically that there’s just too much focus on setting up that concept. It’s understandable, crucial even, to spend some time laying the groundwork from which the series will launch. But sometimes this happens to the extent that the story never really builds past the log-line teased in the solicit. And unfortunately, “Royals” #1 falls victim to this misfire.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of the Inhumans in space. It’s a welcome change after these characters have been so deeply embroiled in the weekly grind of Marvel events, crossovers and erstwhile costumed machinations spread out across different lines and titles and locales. And it makes complete, logical sense given their inherent ties to the Kree. But in execution, it comes across as a bland preview of the series, rather than the start of the series proper.
To be fair, Ewing’s script starts strong. The moody, futuristic opening to “Royals” #1 lets Meyers immediately cut loose over the broad, leathery wingspan of some saddled Pteranodon-esque beasts soaring high above a smog cloaked cityscape. We meet the so-called Last Inhuman, who appears to be the strong, silent type that makes somber, cryptic mentions of the past. Meyers design of flying dinosaurs and crumbling, archaic temples in such a far-flung future lends a slightly anachronistic edge to the scene. But that only deepens the mysterious, mythic atmosphere. It acts as a perfect delivery system for the seven-leave-six-return prophecy that acts as Ewing’s hook for the series.
From there however, “Royals” #1 feels more like a primer that ends in space, than an engaging narrative in it’s own right. Ewing is a skilled enough writer that his dialog naturally feathers in references to the royal family’s latest status quo change – or rather, ex-royal family – alongside power set descriptions for a few cast members that more casual readers probably aren’t familiar with. This really is a book for new readers to jump on, but it never feels like a who’s who for the Inhumans.
His touch, however, is not so deft when it comes to Noh-Varr. Instead of subtlety, Ewing uses a double-page spread for Marvel Boy to exposit his backstory, which I guess makes sense given it’s basically his introduction to the Inhuman cast. But it feels somewhat like an info dump, since it reads more like a recounting of past events rather than an impassioned speech that colors in some insight to his character. At the very least, the honeycombed panel layout gives an inventive flair to the two pages of monologue.
Meyers brings a manga-like verve to “Royals” #1. His angular, yet detailed style wraps the story in an incredibly polished package. Yet for all the precision in his linework, it comes off a little cold. Characters seem to be drawn grimacing, smirking, or looking wistfully to the distance with faintly pursed lips. And outside of these, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of emotional range. While this may simply be a reflection of the brashness of Noh-Varr and the current level of resignation weighing heavy in Inhuman hearts, it doesn’t leave a lot of room to connect with these people.
But this is early going. And Ewing has proved with “Mighty Avengers” and “The Ultimates” that he can mine heartfelt emotion from eclectic and obscure casts. I have no doubts that he’ll be able to do the same with these Inhumans. Sometimes a first issue is the starter’s pistol that signals the start of a run with a bang. And sometimes, it’s the first hurdle to jump over before the race can really begin.
Final Verdict: 6.5 – For better or worse, think of it as the “Rebirth” issue for Medusa and Black Bolt.
