Finally after standing on the sidelines for so long Aquaman is back with his own ongoing series. It has certainly been noticeable how the DC Universe has continued moving forward as Artur Curry has become a background character at best. He and his family have largely been used for numbers when they need to take on Darkseid and Amanda Waller’s armies. With his current position in the DCU can a new ongoing series elevate him to his previous heights? Let’s find out with Aquaman #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: John Timms
Colorist: Rex Lokus
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
AQUAMAN #1 REVIEW
“NEW POWERS, NEW MISSION… THE KING IS BACK, BABY! In the wake of Absolute Power, Arthur Curry’s powers have evolved to powerful new heights, and this is one king ready to use them to kick some serious butt. Mammoth water-construct Kaijus have emerged from each of the seven seas, and only Aquaman’s water-warping abilities can stop them — but not if they kill the good king in the process! Enter Dagon, Arthur’s guide on the quest to unlock the secrets of the “blue.” But what deadly secret awaits Arthur on his journey? It’s an all-new era for Aquaman by acclaimed creators Jeremy Adams (The Flash, Green Lantern) and John Timms (Action Comics) that will leave you cheering!” – DC Comics
REVIEW
There is no wasted time getting Aquaman and his world back into the fold. This is done not just by reintroducing the reader to the DC Universe’s Atlantis and its inhabitants. Jeremy Adams and John Timms show how events such as Absolute Power have impacted this part of the universe, including how DCU events impacted things for Aquaman and his family and made for a better reintroduction because it was done organically.
Right away Adams and Timms show both fans new and old who Aquaman is: a Hero King. After a one-page recap, we see Aquaman taking down a giant kraken and then saving people from a plane with engine failure. These are immediate and strong statements to say that Aquaman is a heavy hitter. Best of all it wasn’t done by feeding him Black Manta or another villain. It was simply situations where Aquaman can both be a badass and protector all at the same time.
This opening set the tone that we were just going to be simply getting more adventures in Atlantis. Even though Aquaman is back as the King of Atlantis he is not limited to just that. It helps to get across the greater Justice League Unlimited mission statement.
It also further showcased how the events of Absolute Power are going to be felt for a long time. That is seen as Aquaman is one of the characters that gained other powers in the power shift after the heroes defeated Amanda Waller. Now having Mera’s Hydrokinesis opens a whole new approach for Aquaman that works in contrast to his warrior king approach to things. It’s an adjustment in his fighting style that is opposite from how he is used, something we see in the later battle against the kaiju-size creature made of water.
At the same time, we also get to see how important relationship management is to Aquaman. He is such a hero and warrior to heart that even if Arthur feels great being back as King of Atlantis the responsibilities of the role are not the most engaging to him. The way Arthur is characterized is certainly him at his most relatable. No matter how prepared to be a leader you may be the responsibilities themselves are not always fun, especially when politics are involved.
This sequence does open the door to the bigger story going on with the pearl that Jackson Hyde discovered leading to Atlantis’s disappearance. The urgency of this event is felt by how Aquaman reacts to his family, friends, and home all disappearing in one instant. The way Timms frames this shocking scene makes the mysterious pearl that was left where Atlantis was even more important of a mystery.
Showing how important this all is, Adams and Timms don’t end Aquaman #1 with Atlantis’s disappearance, even though they could have. They show that Aquaman is going to find answers as quickly as possible to save his family and home. Recruiting the Justice League for help shows he knows that even though he wants to rush to find those he loves he can’t be reckless. This in turn made the moment when Aquaman tells Batman and Wonder Woman he is going through the gate they find Batman and Wonder Woman place full trust in him.
All of this made the true hook ending that Atlantis’s disappearance is tied to Darkseid be even more exciting. The final page gets over how this series will be one of the most important titles in the DC All In direction. Which immediately makes Aquaman an important character not just because of his name. He is important because his actions moving forward could play a role in the DC Universe’s future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Aquaman #1 delivers everything a reader could want from picking up a new series. Aquaman and his world are presented as important parts of the DC Universe. The way things quickly escalate with ties to the ending of Absolute Power and the beginning of DC All In makes Aquaman one of the company’s key titles. Having that level of importance makes this one of DC Comics’ most exciting series to read moving forward.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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