2007: The Inhumans Attack

SILENT WAR #1: 

The Terrigen Mists, the catalyst that gives the Inhumans their mutagenic powers, have been stolen and subsequently recovered by the U.S. government. However, when the U.S. refuses to return the sacred Mists, the Inhumans decide to take drastic action.

A contingent of Inhumans are dispatched to... a theater?? Yes, that's right, in order for their demands to have maximum impact, Black Bolt sends a team of Inhumans straight for a swanky performance of The Tempest.

Because Shakespeare audiences appreciate tragedy.

The Inhumans manifest roots through the floor to grab the humans in attendance, holding them in place and attempting to terrify them.

Shortest performance of The Tempest ever.

They then take the stage and the television cameras (because theater performances are so often televised) and proceed with their demands.

That's Gorgon. These are not your daddy's Inhumans.

When this doesn't work with 100% efficiency - some of the humans get mouthy - the Inhuman using plant powers strikes back and rips them to shreds.

Statistically speaking, theater is still
one of the safest forms of entertainment.

According to the comic, 47 theater patrons are killed outright, and certainly dozens more are badly injured. This limited series gets pretty bloody, with an attack on Washington D.C., Marines volunteering for suicide missions at the request of superior officers, and culiminating with a suicide bombing by the U.S. that takes out the entire city of the Inhumans.

The idea that the U.S. sees its soldiers as so disposable, and of Marines being so eager to die that they sign right up for it, is definitely extreme. Yes, Marines face death and go into dire straits as a matter of course... but this plotline reduces the U.S. to a terrorist state and U.S. Marines to the level of suicide bombers. Incidents from the rest of the series may yet be included in this blog, though the death of military members is so cheap in the Marvel universe that it would be difficult to record every incident.

Body count in issue 1: 47 civilians

Silent War #1

Writer: David Hine

Artist: Frazer Irving