Marvel Just Brought Back Their Most-Neglected Team (and It’s a Disaster)

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A long-absent powerhouse group, previously known in the Marvel Universe, has made its comeback, though not under ideal circumstances. The imperial saga of Marvel’s cosmic event series is reorganizing the intricate networks of interstellar empires through betrayals and murders. Favorite alien factions like the Skrulls, Kree, Shi’ar, Spartax, and the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda have been frequent characters in cosmic narratives, but one of Marvel’s oldest teams has been out of the picture for a couple of years. It seems they were unfairly pushed aside, but now it appears they are eager to make up for lost ground.

WARNING: Spoilers for Imperial #3 below.

Jonathan Hickman’s “Imperial” Series

The central enigma in “Imperial” revolves around the unknown perpetrators behind the assassinations of influential intergalactic leaders. In the latest issue, it is unveiled that one of the masterminds is the Grandmaster, an ancient cosmic entity known as an Elder of the Universe. However, the real shocker lies in discovering Maximus, a prominent figure among the Inhumans, as the other hidden hand pulling the strings.

As Maximus reemerges, so does the Inhuman monarch, Black Bolt, and their teleporting canine companion, Lockjaw. After a hiatus of over five years, the Inhumans are making a comeback with ambitious plans to claim prominence within the Marvel universe, but at the expense of other cosmic factions.

Black Bolt and the Inhumans Have Turned to the Dark Side

Fanatics have mourned the demise of Hulk’s son, Hiro-Kala, and Star-Lord’s father, Emperor J’son. The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda was falsely accused of these murders, leading to a war within the Galactic Council. Initially, Imperial forces hinted at two mysterious figures controlling these events, yet it came as a shock when it was revealed that the Inhumans were involved. Despite this, the Inhumans are generally viewed as heroes, with Black Bolt being particularly respected. However, he appears to be indifferent about Maximus manipulating affairs, with the well-being of other empires at stake in a game orchestrated by the Grandmaster.

Indeed, Black Bolt aims to seize control over an empire. The Inhumans have been absent from the scene since the 2018 series titled “The Death of the Inhumans“. This storyline was a strategic move by Marvel to sideline the Inhumans following their extensive development in preparation for the television series “Marvel’s Inhumans” since years prior. As Marvel Studios didn’t possess the rights to the X-Men at that time, the Inhumans were chosen as a notable team in their stead. However, the TV show failed to resonate with viewers, leading Marvel Comics to publish “The Death of the Inhumans” as a way to phase them out.

Maximus and the Chess Master concoct a scheme: The Chess Master secretly orchestrates a conflict among members of the Galactic Council over the course of a year without anyone suspecting him. So far, he’s successfully provoked the Shi’ar, Skrull, and Kree to become adversaries. Despite winning this covert game against Maximus, the Chess Master declines his prize. Instead, his plan is to restore peace among these factions, which Maximus finds unacceptable. However, Black Bolt might interfere in this delicate situation.

Following the catastrophic events of “Death of the Inhumans” and losing their own empire, Black Bolt and Maximus have embarked on a mission to regain respect in the galaxy. If this goal is achieved by bringing down other empires, then so be it. This strategy offers an excellent opportunity to reestablish the Inhumans within the expansive Marvel Universe. For years, the Inhumans have been overshadowed and overlooked by both MCU viewers and comic book readers. However, they’re now making a powerful comeback, refusing to remain marginalized any longer.

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2025-08-21 23:57