DC Comics 2016
Written by Dan Abnett
Penciled by Brad Walker
Inked by Andrew Hennessey
Coloured by Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by Pat Brosseau
As this first epic concludes, Aquaman and Mera are on the run for a crime they didn’t commit. They’ve fought through every kind of firepower the U.S. military has thrown. Now all that’s left between them and Atlantis is the Man of Steel…
From a reader’s emotional standpoint this issue was everything! What Dan does with the appearance of Superman, whichever one this happens to be, and the conversation the two have it finally has Arthur acknowledge how he’s perceived not only among the surface dwellers but among his peers in the Justice League. Their conversation is absolutely one of those shining moments in comics this week.
From a visual standpoint what Brad brings right from page one matches the emotional excitement that Dan brings. That Superman/Aquaman shot set the tone for this issue and it couldn’t have been any better, the choice of angle and perspective nailed it exquisitely. Kudos also go out for the way page layouts were used and all that action, which again Brad just “got” leading up to that two-page spread is just impressive.
I can’t stress enough that the characterisation Dan brings to this issue was so powerful and instrumental in how this series is moving forward. Now I have no idea which Superman this is, is he the original Earth One version or just some random Earth that happens to be much like this one? It’s all so confusing since I haven’t been following all that mishegas. What I do know when Arthur reminded Clark of the fact that he’s Superman and his enemies have pulled the same tactic to discredit him that should’ve ended the fight immediately.
That we finally see how strong Arthur is to go toe to toe with Superman well that’s one of those moments when the world understands he’s not a lightweight and not just that creepy fish guy. Don’t discount Mera in all this either as her love and devotion to her betrothed and her willingness to fight Superman as well goes a long way in her characterisation.
We’ve had strong versions of Aquaman in the past but I can’t recall a version where he’s this passionate and dedicated to merging the worlds he’s a part of. Not to mention that his role as King and that of a superhero are also something he has to fight to reconcile as his duties in both roles are not always easy to sync up with one another. The characterisation and the way that this story is progressing is fantastic. Even with its bi-weekly schedule there’s no lull in either the story or the action and the blend of the two is being done by a man who has mastered the skill.
There really hasn’t been a better time to be a fan of Aquaman now where can I get those underoos cause i’d be proud to wear them again!