Review: Aquaman #4
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Art: John Timms
Colors: Rex Lokus
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Aquaman, Arion and Vivienne find each other again to take the fight to Dagon and they’ve got to get through Lori Lemaris to do it!
Positives
While Mera is only in Aquaman #4 as a memory, she has a huge presence. Since issue #1, Jeremy Adams has found a way to make Mera a big part of this run without her actually being in the issues hardly at all. This shows a great understanding of the importance of Aquaman and Mera as a couple, duo, team…, it’s hard to have one without the other and they work best that way. (Hawkman and Hawkwoman are the same…take notes… for Hawkwoman in Green Lantern Corps). Since they got married back in Aquaman #18 (1962) they go together and whenever they’ve been separated they are naturally pulled together.
Aquaman #4 has some subtle world building that is working and a deeper mystery building. There’s got to be an explanation for Lori’s behavior! The overall tone and genre of the comic is trending sword and sorcery fantasy and it’s really working. There’s the whole idea of the Fisher King myth at work as well with Arthur saving Atlantis and King Arthur and find the Grail…it’s very pointed as Vivienne presents Arthur with the soul bonded sword, his underwater Excalibur. It’s working, though. It may feel on the nose or obvious, but it’s working because Adams is working with Arthur’s history instead of trying to push everything away for the sake of a new direction or take.
John Timms has some impactful moments this issue, the memory of Mera is sold as the image conveys the overwhelming presence in Arthur’s heart and mind. Timms also gets to cut loose with some action as Arthur shows what his new sword can do. Good stuff!
Negatives
This issue feels a little short. It’s a fast read, but that’s because there’s some genuinely good excitement. Still, I’d like it to last longer. Adams does make it hard to review sometimes because he does the important things over and over again very well. (Hey! Where’s the legacy numbering!?!?)
Verdict
Aquaman #4 shows why Jeremy Adams is DC’s best writer. Like Geoff Johns 20 years ago, he is able to capture the substance of characters and integrate their histories into something new and exciting. Even an issue like this which feels short is really good as it does the right things with character and world building.
