Marvel's Inhumans: The Challenge of Creating Medusa's Hair on TV

05/04/2017 12:08 pm EDT

Marvel and ABC gave fans their first look at the Inhumans earlier today. They also provided some details on their approach to the powers of the Marvel Royal Family.

Showrunner Scott Buck spoke to EW about the work that went into adapting one particular member of the family to television. That would be Medusa, who can manipulate her hair like powerful tendrils. Of this particularly difficult power set, Buck said "It is very difficult. Even now, it's still a process. It takes quite a long time in post to make that effect work. We have some of the best visual effects people available working on our show. We still haven't seen the final version of it; it's very much a work in process." Behind the scenes photos showed actress Serinda Swan with a very short haircut during filming, clearing the way for the extensive CGI.

In the comics it is easy to make Medusa's hair reach various distances and heights, lifting everything from a single individual to several trucks and cars. A feature film would have a difficult time making it look realistic, nonetheless a television show. At the end of the day though, Buck says the powers aren't the focus. "To a certain extent, yes, but again, we approach these all as real people who just happen to have these abilities, so they're all very grounded people. We try to write them as real as possible, and then have fun with the powers when we can. We want their powers to seem like a very natural part of their personality."

Medusa first appeared in Fantastic Four #36 and was actually the first Inhuman to debut in the comics thanks to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Granted, she was a villain at the time, but that all got cleared up later on. Since then she's gone on to become Queen of the Inhumans alongside BlackBolt, and she's even lead them at various points in their history.

The reported synopsis is listed below.

"After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself."

Marvel's Inhumans stars Anson Mount (Black Bolt), Serinda Swan (Medusa), Ken Leung (Karnak), Isabelle Cornish (Crystal), Eme Ikwuakor (Gorgon), Iwan Rheon (Maximus), Sonya Balmores (Auran), Mike Moh (Triton), and Ellen Woglom).

MORE INHUMANS: Marvel Releases First Look At Inhumans / Teaser Poster Released / Agents of SHIELD EP Comments On Potential Inhumans Crossover / Inhumans Will Be Unlike Anything Ever Seen On TV