Inhumans

Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (1965). The Inhumans are descendants of early Homo sapiens who were altered by the Kree through exposure to Terrigen Mist, a mutagenic chemical that unlocks latent genetic potential.

They typically reside in Attilan, a city whose location has shifted from the Moon to Earth in various storylines. Governed by a royal family, the Inhumans' society emphasizes discipline, order, and ritual. Prominent members include Black Bolt (the silent king), Medusa (queen), Karnak, Gorgon, Crystal, Triton, Maximus the Mad, and Lockjaw, a telepathic teleporting bulldog.

Terrigenesis, the process induced by Terrigen Mist at birth or during adolescence, grants each individual a unique superhuman ability. Powers range widely—from strength, invulnerability, and enhanced senses to energy manipulation and shapechanging—often with limitations or costs. Inhumans typically form related communities and can be long-lived compared to ordinary humans.

Across decades, Inhumans have become a core part of the Marvel Universe, featuring in solo series, team adventures, and crossovers with the Avengers. The concept expanded to other media, including a short-lived 2017 television series. The Inhumans continue to be used as a narrative vehicle to explore themes of identity, power, and isolation within the Marvel world.