Visceral, visually stimulating, and an intriguing meaningful story awaits you! Read Full Review

Though the Inhuman titles have had a rocky win/loss record as of late, Black Bolt #1 looks to be just the home run they need in order to shift the odds in their favor. Read Full Review

For a character whose life has essentially become about his voice, the creative team certainly uses the concept of silence to their advantage. The creative team has done an excellent job with this issue, and I couldn't be happier upon turning the back cover. It's moody, dark, intellectual, and ever so clever. Black Bolt fan or not, you'll appreciate this issue, guaranteed. Read Full Review

Ahmed sets the tone perfectly, taking Black Bolt to places we have not often seen him. The challenges set before him are daunting but Ahmed shows there is still strength of will within the once and future king of the Inhumans. Read Full Review

"Black Bolt" #1 has lofty goals and a creative team that understands how to craft a fine comic book issue. Read Full Review

here are a lot of jokey running gags pointed at The Inhumans since they've been thrust to the forefront of the Marvel Universe ("His full name is Blackagar Boltagon") and many of them are justified, but this book does a service to Black Bolt by treating him as a distinct character and not a stand-in for the X-Men. Black Bolt #1 hits a sweet spot for me, combining a strong, complex narrative with unique visuals and a main character who is more than the sum of his parts, making for an excellent read. Read Full Review

The characterization leaves more to be desired, but the plot is an emotional rollercoaster. Read Full Review

Ahmed is going to give us the root of Black Bolt and Ward on art is the perfect pairing to get this adventure sold for us readers. I found it interesting with the narration style of the captions that are telling the story. It feels like a trek back to the older comic books with the character's point of view being interpreted instead of us listening in to the character's thoughts on a personal level. I'm looking forward to how this way of navigating through Black Bolt's series will shape our point of view for this adventure. Read Full Review

Black Bolt #1 is a gorgeous book that will draw you in with the beautiful artwork, but keep you buying because of the low-key deep story of injustice and perseverance. Ward and Ahmed come together and give us a harmonious story that is unlike other books on the shelves. Yes, this is a Marvel superhero story, but there is so much more than that going on here. This book gives you edgy artwork you won't see anywhere else while also delivering a thought-provoking story. Inhuman fan or newbie, everyone can get behind this book. There is enough information to catch up new readers while also adding on to the Inhuman mythos for the die-hard comic fans. If you are looking for a new title to read, Black Bolt is a must have to addto your pull list. Read Full Review

The notion of voice is key to Black Bolt, and not just because of the character, but also because this is the first issue of a new series and the first issue from a new comic bookcreator. The issue gains a character about halfway through that fills the issue with actual dialogue, but for the most part, Ahmed, Ward, and Cowles also value silence. This methodical approach shows what visual storytelling can accomplish and indicates a strong creative voice. The focus on establishing a particular mood shows that this team has something to say here. The team could have afforded to be more abstract in their setting, but this isn’t a series which intends to throw everything and the kitchen sink at you straight away. A picture can say a thousand words, and while some may choose to yell it from the rooftops, the team behind Black Bolt wants to first be sure that you’re listening carefully. Read Full Review

Black Bolt #1 is an exciting new start to a book bursting with lots of untapped potential. Read Full Review

Upon waking up chained in an unknown cell, Black Bolt quickly navigates the bizarre prison in which he finds himself. His solo explorations make for an oddly quiet first chapter, until he witnesses the torture and seeming death of a fellow inmate" at which point he encounters a standard supervillain, and gets into a standard superhero fight scene. By issue's end, we still have far more questions than answers (even with a highly effective twist ending). Read Full Review

The story that's set forth is interesting enough, but I endup more interested in the set up to this book than I am in the plot goingforward. Between that and the stylized art that wasn't really my speed I foundthis issue sort of lacking something to draw me further. The cover is absolutely amazing though.6.8/10 Read Full Review

Saladin Ahmed has come up with a good idea for a comic book series, but it may not be a good fit for the king of the Inhumans. Read Full Review

Ultimately, I think Ahmed will make a fine comic book writer if he can get a handle at pacing stories that will work for both monthly installments and the collected editions. I definitely didn't think I got a satisfying chunk of story in this issue, and would recommend this as a "wait for the trade" series. Read Full Review

Black Bolt awakens without powers in the hallucinatory alien prison his brother was supposed to go to. Not even death is an escape; resurrection merely lands the inmates back in their cells. Author Saladin Ahmed is making a carefully-reasoned choice in creating a distinct narrator's voice for this story. His characterization and pacing are brilliant, with essential backstory tidbits tetrised perfectly into the plot and antagonist Crusher Creel doing a splendid job of illuminating the setting for both Black Bolt and us readers. Christian Ward's painted art is equally impressive. It's not just beautifully drawn; it's beautifully designed. Imaginative layouts emphasize the alien character of BB's prison.

At the top of my list of favorite characters/properties you'll find Iron Fist, Black Panther and the Inhumans. Of that third example, my favorites have always been the brothers, Maximus and Black Bolt. After a few years of Inhuman books that were good enough but not quite what I wanted, in the space of a month I get ROYALS and, now, BLACK BOLT #1. There is little to this book that isn't wonderful. From idea to execution...the Writing...the art...everything works together,from page one, to tell the opening chapter of a very promising series. Even if I wgasn't, already, a fan this would be a damnn good comic.
SCORE: 9

Overall I think that Black Bolt #1 had an amazingly strong start, with enough story and drama to make someone anticipate for the next volume of the series. The writer made an amazing work to portray a story which a lot of recent comics seems to miss and most especially for a character that will not talk and together with an amazing art from Christian Ward, Black Bolt is a series set for success.

This book has absolutely gorgeous artwork. The story is well told and looks to be preparing for an exciting series. Very optimistic after this issue, could be one of Marvel's best of the year.

Intriguing first chapter. Seems to have lots of potential. Most likely will return for the second issue.

I get that if he talks all hell breaks loose but the author treats his reader like an idiot. I do not need dialogue boxes on almost every panel telling me what Black Bolt is thinking or what he is doing. He should just let the artist tell the story when dialogue boxes are not needed even though the art s bad.