DC Comics 2016
Written by Dan Abnett
Penciled by Scot Eaton
Inked by Wayne Faucher
Coloured by Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by Pat Brosseau
I like this series a lot the way Dan is exploring more than just the villains that surround Arthur or the war with the surface world in acceptance for his people. There’s a mystery here as well in that there’s a faction out there that’s trying to incite tensions to a boiling point and it gives us a chance to see him use more of his brain and his skill sets other than just being powerful ruler of most of the Earth. Yes the diplomacy is a huge angle here and it’s wonderful to see but by using more of Arthur’s mind, abilities and capabilities Dan’s managing to flesh him out more fully as an individual than we’ve ever seen before.
That this issue opens up with the demands upon him as a King and ruler was a nice touch. Fleshing out Atlantis as more of a living breathing organism and akin to any other country on the planet gives it that feel that his responsibilities to that make everything else he’s also involved in more impressive. It’s not like any ruler on Earth can run a nation and still fight crimes against humanity the way he does. He’s multi-faceted in his dedication and will are just incredibly well portrayed.
That Black Manta is the main focus nowadays on the opposing side and the whole deal with N.E.M.O. and the Fisher King scenario while expected does take things in a completely new direction. A real organization that could effect change on global scale and not just through petty larceny and the like is a concept that I’d like to see more fully explored and Dan seems to be taking that in that direction. A behind the scenes things, more covert operation will test him in ways we’ve not seen before and I find that intriguing.
Thank you for Tula being back. Thanks for putting her in a position of power and in an outfit that is both modern and yet a throwback to her more well known outfit. The design in her armour has that look and feel to make me believe she’s back and better than ever. If she’ll ever have a relationship with Garth remains to be seen but I wouldn’t mind it if we get to see something between them in these pages. While Garth is in the Titans he’s yet to debut here and hopefully sometime soon that’ll change.
The dialogue here is phenomenal and not more so than seeing the three of them talking to Rath. That whole conversation all around kind of sums up beautifully everything that’s been happening in their world and it’s so perfectly rendered. I couldn’t have been more impressed by the opinions shared and expressed.
Scot, Wayne and Gabe so some wonderful work on the interiors. I love the way they can showcase the wonder and awe that Atlantis represents. The use of backgrounds here really take you to a place that makes you believe that this undersea world exists like this. The use of page layouts through angles and perspective control the flow of the story beautifully. Plus there’s something subtly powerful about the way they make Arthur that is impressive.
Without a doubt my favourite version of Arthur to date.