Adding Inhumans from the Marvel comics to the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series created a new and exciting layer to the show’s characters and plot. When Skye underwent Terrigenesis and became Daisy “Quake” Johnson, she rocked the world of S.H.I.E.L.D., further after learning about HYDRA’s infiltration of their organization.
While some Inhumans created a lackluster impression on the audience, others shined and left fans excited and wanting more. Teams of Inhumans working the sides of both good and evil made for the ultimate battle that the superhero genre thrives on. Here are the five best and five worst Inhumans, ranked.
BEST: Patriot
Director Jeffrey Mace faked being an Inhuman in the real world as he took on the mantle of leader at S.H.I.E.L.D. to strengthen the world’s relationship with the new subset of the human species. That plan tanked when his true human status was revealed.
But when Aida placed Mace in the Framework, he became his Inhuman alter ego Patriot. He sacrificed his life in the Framework, killing himself in the real world. Working against HYDRA rule in the virtual world, Mace lived up to his potential as an Inhuman and a hero.
WORST: Charles Hinton
This unfortunate Inhuman had the power to reveal someone’s death upon a single touch. The power drove Charles Hinton mad, forcing him to leave his wife and daughter behind. He lived as a homeless man until HYDRA kidnapped him to use his powers for Hive.
But he fought in the battle against Gideon Malick to save Daisy because he understood she could save his daughter Robin, who inherited his same abilities. Hinton’s life was changed for the worst after transformation, but he made it count in the end.
BEST: Vijay Nadeer
First known as “the subject.” under observation at his sister’s behest, Vijay Nadeer broke free from his cocoon, thinking he hadn’t undergone the Inhuman transformation. It was a difficult situation, as his sister, Senator Ellen Nadeer, was anti-Inhuman, so much so that she had him killed. Or so she thought.
The last the audience saw of Vijay in the real world was his body at the bottom of the ocean undergoing a second Terrigenesis. With the show coming to an end, Vijay has the potential to come back as a powerful ally.
WORST: Lash
Transitioning between Dr. Andrew Garner and Lash, this Inhuman had a Jekyll and Hyde complex. Andrew was Agent Melinda May’s ex-husband and hired on by S.H.I.E.L.D. as a consulting psychologist for Inhumans. But Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Phil Coulson didn’t know that the doctor himself had also undergone Terrigenesis.
Andrew’s alter ego was the nemesis they sought. After a long ordeal and so many people killed, Lash died just as he learned his true purpose: to save Daisy from Hive’s mind control. It was an anticlimactic end to such a strong character.
BEST: Alisha Whitley
Though she fought against S.H.I.E.L.D. as Jiaying’s confidante at the Afterlife, Alisha Whitley left the audience impressed with her Inhuman ability to multiply herself into four clones. Her powers made her a formidable and nearly impossible enemy to defeat, as she controlled her clones through a Hive mind.
But Lincoln figured out that knocking out the original Alisha knocked out her clones. It was only after she was put out of commission that S.H.I.E.L.D. could take down the Afterlife. Once Jiaying was defeated, Alisha dedicated herself to protecting Inhumans from Lash.
WORST: Gordon
Jiaying’s right-hand man lacked sight, but his Inhuman power allowed him to teleport anywhere in the world. His capabilities gave him a different kind of sight. But he only used his powers at the bidding of Jiaying, acting as her personal Inhuman rideshare and delivery service.
He played the part of compassionate ally well, but at the end of the day, his loyalty only lay with Jiaying. His fight for his mentor led to Gordon’s demise as he accidentally teleported into the iron pole Fitz held during battle.
BEST: Secret Warriors
The team-up of Daisy, Lincoln Campbell, Joey Gutierrez, and Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez gave S.H.I.E.L.D. a new edge as they battled evil Inhumans and other villains. While Daisy controlled vibrations, Lincoln manipulated electromagnetic energy. Yo-Yo used superhuman speed that boomeranged her back to her original position while Joey was able to melt metal.
Together they make an incredible and powerful team. Unfortunately, the team dismantles after Joey quits altogether and Lincoln dies. But while Daisy and Yo-Yo still survive and new Inhumans are found every day, there’s always hope.
WORST: Raina
Raina remained loyal to Calvin Zabo as he was the one who found her as a beggar on the streets of Thailand and told her the truth of her Inhuman heritage. She worked on the Centipede Project searching for the Clairvoyant. But when she found he was only undercover HYDRA operative John Garrett, she left.
After Garrett’s death, she joined Grant Ward to bring Skye to the truth of her parentage. The only allegiance she ever had was fulfilling her evolution, but once she did, the Terrigenesis didn’t give her what she expected.
BEST: Flint
Born in an alternate timeline in the Lighthouse after Earth is shattered, Flint grows up fast and undergoes Terrigenesis under Kree rule to be sold into slavery. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s interference and rescue convince the young Inhuman to rise up against the Kree oppressors and lead a revolution among the humans at the Lighthouse.
Flint learned to use his powers of earth manipulation fast, gathering pebbles into mighty rock weapons. His ability was the perfect metaphor for how seemingly small individual parts create a force to be reckoned with when pieced together.
WORST: Hellfire
J.T. James first went to the Afterlife under Jiaying’s leadership but was soon kicked out for trying to steal from their archives. When Hive arrived, with Daisy’s help, they allowed J.T. to undergo Terrigenesis and unleashed his Inhuman abilities. As Hellfire, J.T. could create fiery explosives with a single touch.
The power coincided too well with his past as a mercenary and demolitions expert. His arrogant personality combined with Hive’s mind control turned Hellfire into an insufferable, overpowered individual. He was already a bully, but turning Inhuman made him worse.
