The Inhumans #2
Published and © by Marvel, December 1975
Title: “Star-Slaves!”
Synopsis: The Inhumans battle the Kaptroids, giant robots released from the bowels of Attilan by the Kree.
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciler: George Pérez
Inker: Fred Kida
Review: Story wise, this issue is a step down from the series’ debut (see review of The Inhumans #1). The recap scene – a staple of Bronze Age comics – makes for a slow entry into the story. The subsequent sequence, featuring the release of the Kaptroids, is more Rube Goldberg contraption than mighty Marvel action. And, once free, the Kaptroids are defeated far too easily to provide any real menace. Saving this issue is the art of George Pérez; his penciling is still a little rough, but his innovative page layouts make this book a standout for its time.
Grade: B
Cool factor: The art of George Pérez. Still a young artist learning his craft, you can see Pérez getting better each issue.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 9p British variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “He’ll live, Medusa. His skull is as thick as ours … .” – Gorgon, the ever-compassionate Inhuman
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this review was published in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1653, May 2009.
