Review: Aquaman #1
[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 must navigate having Mera’s powers as a strange event strikes Atlantis and sets the King of the Seven Seas on a new quest!
Positives
Jeremy Adams starts off on the right foot with an Aquaman that is confident, competent and familiar, it is a far cry from how he was presented in his last run. It seems to eschew any of the misguided influence from Jason Mamoa’s film version of the character. Adams also subtly indicates the nature of Aquaman and Mera’s relationship. Like Hawkman and Hawkwoman/ Girl, Aquaman and Mera almost always come as a pair. The two married (for the first time) in Aquaman #18 (Dec., 1964- 60 years ago!) in the first on screen superhero wedding in comic book history. She’s an important element in Aquaman’s mythos and their relationship is essential to Aquaman’s character.
The opening sequence demonstrates how Aquaman is just as formidable a hero as Superman as he must rescue a crashing airplane. His methods are different than the Man of Steel’s, but Adams uses similar language so that the reader will make the connection. Geoff Johns did a similar thing when he wrote Aquaman in the New 52. Johns also wanted to make a statement that contrary to popular opinion Aquaman is NOT a JOKE!
Positives Cont’d
Adams also sets up the status quo with Aquaman back as King of Atlantis and how he’s dealing with getting used to having Mera’s powers. There’s a quick appearance of Jackson Hyde and a mention of Garth/ Tempest/ Aqualad. It gives a general sense of the supporting cast and how we got here.
Arthur has lost the long, impractical long beard. He still needs a shave, but he’s looks a lot better! Aquaman’s costume is definitely more like his classic uniform which is a good thing.
Aquaman #1 sets up a mystery and a quest. The quest theme has been used in Aquaman at different times over the years and it relates thematically to his namesake, Arthur Pendragon who is central to quest mythology.
Negatives
Firstly, why doesn’t this issue have legacy numbering? Aquaman has been around since the Golden Age and while he didn’t get his own series until the ’60’s and he’s never had a series reach 100 issues he is, along with Superman, Batman (& Robin), Wonder Woman and Green Arrow, one of five characters to survive unbroken publishing through the 1950’s into the Silver Age. C’mon, DC- LEGACY NUMBERING RESPECT FOR AQUAMAN!
Story wise, Aquaman #1 relies a lot on the events of Absolute Power and DC All In Special #1. Not really finding either all that interesting, this makes this aspect of the story a bit disappointing. The quest, mystery and cliffhanger ending are tied directly to these other comics. I’m all on board for an Aquaman series, but…that cliffhanger…. Jeremy Adams has proven that he’s a great writer at DC Comics, so the journey should be great, but even if the journey to a restaurant you don’t like is fun, what happens when you get there?
Verdict
Aquaman #1 is a solid start to this new run on the King of the Seven Seas. Adams is a proven commodity and there’s a lot of promise. Connecting it to the events of Absolute Power and DC All In Special may not be the best approach, but Aquaman’s character seems to be back on the right track. Out of 10 it would be 7.5, but all I can do on a 5-point scale is…
