With all the buzz surrounding the potential for an MCU reboot to both The Inhumans and The Fantastic Four, it’s important to remember just how closely connected these two ensembles actually are.
The two super-powered teams are connected as far back as their comic book roots, leaving many fans to wonder that if the rumors are true, could they see these two iconic teams united on the big screen? If so, what should the average fan expect? Well, if the MCU stays true to the source material, there is no shortage of history between these two teams, both friendly and contentious.
The Inhumans Debuted In Fantastic Four #45
Avid fans of The Fantastic Four fondly remember issue #45 “Among Us Hide… The Inhumans!” as an exciting and dramatic installment of the original comic run.
While primarily a prelude to the arrival of Galactus only three issues later, kicking off one of the series’ most iconic arcs, it also served as the first appearance of The Inhumans in the Marvel Universe. Featuring mainstays like Medusa, Black Bolt, Crystal, and Lockjaw, these characters would make frequent appearances in future Fantastic Four comics.
Maximus Nearly Killed The Fantastic Four
In their debut with the Fantastic Four, The Inhumans’ main nemesis Maximus also makes his first appearance in Fantastic Four #47. As the embittered brother of Black Bolt, Maximus steals the throne of Attilan from his older brother and uses his superior intellect to construct a weapon meant to eradicate all human life on the planet.
Although his henchmen are defeated by the heroes, he still manages to turn the machine on, nearly killing the Fantastic Four before the machine was destroyed by its own excessive power. A daunting and memorable introduction for the villain.
The Inhumans And Fantastic Four Have Fought… More Than Once
Whether it be Medusa as a core member of the Frightful Four or Black Bolt battling The Thing due to a misunderstanding, The Inhumans and Fantastic Four have squared off on many occasions and in many different versions of Marvel Comics. The Inhuman’s ever-shifting perspective on human life has created multiple explosive disagreements between the two sides.
Often these tensions are quelled by introducing a common enemy such as Maximus, but there have been times when these rivalries have affected entire arcs. That includes when Johnny Storm was injured during the Heroes Reborn arc and needed to be healed in Attilan.
Medusa And Crystal Have Been Full-Fledged Members Of The Fantastic Four
On multiple occasions, Susan Storm (The Invisible Woman) was forced to step away from the team, and considering that they are the Fantastic Four there was a need for the remaining trio to find a fantastic replacement. On two separate occasions, Sue’s absence was covered by members of the Inhuman Royal Family.
When the Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic were having their first child, Franklin, Susan was forced to step away while pregnant. Crystal was sent to aid the team in place of Susan and had a surprisingly long run in the comics, thanks to the romantic subplot between her and Johnny. Medusa later joined the team for a spell when Franklin was comatose in an attempt to hide him from some of the team’s most powerful enemies.
Johnny Storm Was A Member Of The Inhumans
Well after Crystal and Medusa had been temporary members of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm was briefly a member of the Inhumans. Leaving behind his family to join the royal family of Attilan, Johnny made this decision on grounds both personal and professional.
At this stage in the comics, Johnny was Medusa’s lover, producing one of the strangest romances in the series, and rather than leave the woman he loved he joined her as she returned Attilan. However, with human/inhuman relations being a key plot point in all Inhuman comics, Johnny served as an ambassador of humankind upon his arrival.
Johnny And Crystal’s Tragic Romance
While a little forced, as many comic book romances are, Johnny and Crystal developed feelings for one another over the course of The Inhumans’ first arc alongside the Fantastic Four.
Unfortunately for both of them, Attilan is encased in the negative zone as a means of defense against their enemies, thus keeping Johnny and Crystal apart. This romance would be revisited multiple times, including during Crystal’s time with the Fantastic Four, and when she marries Quicksilver, but eventually the characters would change too dramatically to justify it carrying on any longer and both would pursue new love interests.
The Inhumans Worshipped Galactus
During the Heroes Reborn arc wherein Franklin Richard created an alternate reality to save his family and friends after they sacrificed themselves to defeat Onslaught, this strange new world would feature a version of The Inhumans which was both eerily similar and yet altogether different.
While the family dynamic remained the same between Black Bolt, his wife Medusa, and the deranged prince Maximus, this new version of the Attilan Royal Family worshipped one of the Fantastic Four’s most powerful adversaries, Galactus, as a God. Only after a disagreement, subsequent skirmish, and peace offering from Johnny Storm, were the two teams able to unite against Maximus and the encroaching world-ending threat.
Black Bolt settled a lover’s quarrel
In one of the stranger and more dramatic interactions between these two superpowered teams, Black Bolt would serve as the middle-man to settle the rivalry between Johnny Storm and Quicksilver who were both vying for Crystal’s affection. Johnny had long been in love with her, but Quicksilver ultimately married her. In the end, it was pretty obvious that true to form, Johnny was just being hot-headed.
Having pushed her away on several occasions despite her mutual affection, she finds comfort with Quicksilver who is willing to commit. While Black Bolt did not support the marriage, in an attempt to broker peace, as Johnny was quick to violence against Quicksilver, Medusa advised him not to intervene. While this settled the immediate issue, it led to even more melodrama down the line.
The Royal Family aids The Fantastic Four and The Avengers against Ultron
True comic fans know that what the Inhumans lack in mainstream appeal, they more than make up for in raw power. Nowhere is this more true than with the king of Attilan himself, Black Bolt. Arguably the most powerful Inhuman in the Marvel universe, he has come to the aid of FF more than once.
When the Avengers and Fantastic Four are met with one of their greatest threats in the form of the AI Ultron, they required additional support to take him on. Fortunately, the long-standing alliance between the Inhumans and Fantastic Four paid off, as the Royal Family- led by Black Bolt -agreed to join them in battle.
The Fantastic Four Made Black Bolt Laugh
Only the truest Marvel fans will know about this bizarre one-off issue from the early ’80s titled, “Fantastic Four Roast: Volume 1, When Titans Chuckle.”
Thanks to the Inhumans, a plot to harm the Fantastic Four was averted, leading to a comedy routine by the four members. Their jokes, while lighthearted and silly, lead to a jolly outburst from the king of Attilan and the force of his laughter demolished the entire venue.
