Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns next Tuesday, officially introducing the Inhumans to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Before the winter hiatus, Skye and Raina were transformed by a device in a hidden underwater city—a city that most fans agree is probably Attilan, the ancestral home of the Inhumans in Marvel Comics. Raina took on some lizard-like physical attributes, while Skye developed the ability to cause earthquakes. The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. showrunners later confirmed that Skye’s true identity is the superpowered Daisy Johnson (aka Quake), and you can see her destructive abilities in action in this new trailer.
Yes, Skye finally used the word “Inhuman” onscreen, although we’re unlikely to see any of the better-known Inhuman characters in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They’ll be waiting for the Inhumans movie in 2019.
ABC also released a “deep cover profile” of Raina, whose role has mostly been to antagonize the good guys over at S.H.I.E.L.D. She shares a name with a reptilian Saurid character from Marvel Comics, although until she made her recent transformation, this seemed like mere coincidence. Time will tell whether Marvel is introducing other species along with the Inhumans, but the most likely explanation is that this version of Raina is a significant rewrite of the comic book character.
Fans of the upcoming Captain America: Civil War should watch closely this season. Will Skye and Raina’s transformation precipitate an X-Men–style rift between ordinary humans and people with Inhuman powers? Will the sudden appearance of more Inhumans lead someone to suggest a superpower registration law like in Marvel’s Civil War? This trailer indicates that Skye’s new powers may be isolating her from her teammates, at the very least.
Screengrab via Television Promos/YouTube
