Black Bolt #1-6

Black Bolt #1-6

Originally released in 2017

Written by Saladin Ahmed

Art by Christian Ward

I'd heard good things about Black Bolt's solo series, though I don't think I've read it before. After Maximus used his psychic powers, a hologram device, and Black Bolt's unwillingness to speak to switch places with him, Black Bolt awakens in a jail cell on the far end of the galaxy.

Black Bolt quickly discovers that he can't use his powers while in the prison, though it does mean that he can talk normally.  Given that a whisper of his can decimate a city or smash a mountain, he's still reluctant to speak up at first.

While imprisoned, Black Bolt forms a small group of friends, including the Absorbing Man (a.k.a. Crusher Creel), a Skrull named Raava who refuses to shape-shift, an old Hulk villain known only as the Metal Master, and a young girl who's called Blinky. Between his newfound option of speaking and this motley crew of thieves and would-be conquerors, it helps to flesh Black Bolt out much more than he normally would be. (Between him being stoic and mute, we don't get much of a look into Black Bolt's thoughts and feelings under most circumstances)

The story does well with getting readers up to speed on Black Bolt's personal history while giving us a jailbreak story in Marvel's cosmic setting.  The art can be downright gorgeous at times, though there are times where the facial expressions can detract from the drama, like when Creel is nearly suffocated.

Black Bolt has spent his whole life as the king of Attilan or preparing to take on that role, so life in a prison is completely alien to him. The prisoners are tortured by a sadistic jailer who keeps killing them and resurrecting them, feeding off of their misery, pain, and trauma to sustain himself.

Their first escape attempt leads to the jailer putting the group through even more sadistic punishment, so as oxygen drains from the room and they can't escape, Black Bolt and Creel tell each other about their lives.

The topic of fatherhood is a rough one for Black Bolt. An image had been shown of Kang the Conqueror earlier when Black Bolt reflected on his sins and crimes, and I wasn't sure why.  After reading the explanation, I'm still not 100% sure. At some point, he gave his son to Kang the Conqueror, and was forced to kill him. (Possibly)

The bonding session is cut short by the arrival of the best Inhuman:

Lockjaw only takes Black Bolt with him, giving Black Bolt a breath of fresh air and allowing him to recharge his powers and create a shield that will prevent them from being removed.  However, he's faced with a choice - his deranged brother Maximus is posing as him, so does he return home to regain his throne or does he go back into an inescapable prison to save a bunch of thieves and murderers?

To Black Bolt, that's not much of a choice at all. (He trusts that Medusa can see through Maximus's plans) With his powers restored, and thanks to Black Bolt being able to extend his shield to others, it's time for a proper jailbreak.

The art gets particularly gorgeous when Black Bolt uses his powers, as there are times where it looks like reality is being broken from the force of his screams. This is a great introductory arc, and one of the better pieces of media that I've seen that focuses on the Inhuman royal family.