Aquaman #21 - A Review

The  substance called "Strange Water" - dubbed H2 Point O by the US Navy - has revealed more mysteries to Aquaman and Mera. Responding to their powers - and seemingly irresponsible for the creation of the monster called Dead Water - the substance seems to have come from some manner of underwater gateway. Unfortunately, this revolution discovery may soon be spoiled by the couple's so-called allies...


With Aquaman #21, Dan Abnett shifts gears yet again, entering into the realm of pure science-fiction after two issues of horror. It's a good change, however, and the script has the same spirit as a top-notch Doctor Who episode. The artwork is equally varied and memorable. Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Gabe Eltaeb are each delivering some of the best work in their careers. This is one book every comic fan should be reading!

Final Analysis: 8 out of 10.

Aquaman #18 - A Review

Aquaman confronts the living weapon known as Warhead, discovering the creature's horrific past and what caused it to break its programming. Somehow, the telepathic construct that sows conflict around it has tapped into his telepathy, making every memory as painfully real to Arthur Curry as it is to him. Can Aquaman overcome this most unusual foe?




Dan Abnett is to be commended for having crafted one of the most unique and original characters in recent comics history. Though the ideas put forth in this issue are born of classic science-fiction, the conceit of confronting the classic questions of whether or not artificial intelligence constitutes an actual soul have never been dealt with in this precise manner to my knowledge. Pairing this character up with Aquaman, whose powers make him uniquely emphatic while still being a warrior, proves an equally brilliant conceit.

The art for this issue matches Abnett's script in complexity and thoughtfulness.  Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Gabe Eltaeb are one of the strongest power trios among all the artist/inker/colorist teams working today. Every page of this issue is a testament to their skills as individual artists and as a group.

Aquaman #17 - A Review

With a rough peace established with The United States, Arthur Curry can now pursue the next step of his plan to improve relations between Atlantis and the surface world - winning the United Nation's recognition as an allied nation. Unfortunately, his diplomatic mission is interrupted by the emergence of Warhead - a cybernetic being who can control people and weapons systems in the same way that Aquaman "talks" to aquatic life...


This may be the second part of this story but this is still a fantastic first issue for new readers. Dan Abnett's script does a good job of setting up the premise and explaining Aquaman's current goals. What really sells this issue, however, is the battle with Warhead, who is easily one of best and most original ideas for a super-villain in sometime.

The action of the issue is ably illustrated by Scot Eaton and Wayne Faucher. Together they are one of the strongest inker and artist teams working in modern comics and Gabe Eltaeb's colors provide the perfect finishes to one of the best looking books on the stands.

Aquaman #13 - A Review

NEMO's attacks on The United States and Atlantis continue. Aquaman has evidence of their attempts to start a war between the two nations but still needs the final bit of proof - an actual NEMO soldier who can prove the existence of the secret group. Now, as his allies in the Justice League move to convince the American government that Atlantis is innocent of the attacks on them, Aquaman must fight to protect his people.


Dan Abnett moves the story of The Deluge through its various subplots like a master plate-spinner. There's a lot going on, with a combination of political drama, war thriller and superheroics making up the action of this issue. Despite the different genres and tones involved, the story is fact-paced and not a bit of it feels unnecessary or drawn out.


The artwork proves equally energetic and exciting. Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Gabe Eltaeb are to be commended for their seamless workmanship on this series. This is one of the best-looking books on the stands today!

Aquaman #9 - A Review

The living weapon launched by the sinister organization N.E.M.O. has torn its way through Atlantis. Now it moves upon Arthur Curry's childhood hometown of Amnesty Bay. Not even the full might of the Atlantean Navy was able to stop the creature - what hope does one lone man have against such power?


Comparisons between this storyline and The Death of Superman are inevitable and doubtlessly intentional. Yet the stakes are much higher, with Aquaman having to stand alone not because he is the only one capable of fighting a monster but because of how events contrived to make him the only one able to fight the monster. Dan Abnett has done a masterful job of building the drama in this series since the first issue and that drama is perfectly presented through the artwork of Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Gabe Eltaeb.  If you aren't reading Aquaman, you're missing out on a great comic!

Aquaman #8 - A Review

Black Manta and N.E.M.O. launch their mystery weapon at Atlantis. It is some manner of living creature, resisting all the efforts of Aquaman and the Atlantean army to repel it. Meanwhile, Mera finds herself facing a very different sort of battle - a test of wills with The Widows, who will be the final judges of her worthiness to be Queen of Atlantis!


Dan Abnett has crafted a mythology for Aquaman as rich as any fantasy world in existence. The sequences between Mera and The Widows feel like something taken from A Game Of Thrones. And the revelation behind Black Manta's secret weapon is an honest surprise and a nice nod to the classic history of the DC Universe.


The artwork proves equally wonderful. The action sequences are top-notch and Scot Eaton draws some fantastic expressions that add a sense of motion to the static scenes of the characters merely talking. Wayne Faucher's inks are perfectly balanced and Gabe Eltaeb's color palettes are well-chosen throughout the issue.

Aquaman #7 - A Review

Safely returned to Atlantis, Arthur and Mera hunt the forces that faked an Atlantean attack on the United States Navy. All signs point to The Deluge - an group of terrorists devoted toward renewing hostilities with the surface world. Yet the true culprits are NEMO - a secretive group who had their own reasons for targeting Atlantis, even before the crowning of their new Fisher King, Black Manta!


After several action-filled issues, Aquaman tells a tale of espionage under the seas. The script by Dan Abnett invites comparison to The West Wing in its depictions of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering needed to run a nation. The theme of terrorism and the examination of what brings it about proves quite timely and one cannot help but draw parallels between the current state of affairs in the United States, with a minority executive struggling to pacify conservative elements of his own government while contending with outside threats.


The artwork is a good match for the story - seemingly simple but with surprising complexity. Scot Eaton instills a sense of motion to everything, even those scenes depicting characters merely having a conversation. Wayne Faucher's inks are kept relatively light, save for the close-ups where deeper shadows add increased depth to Eaton's fine line-work. And the colors by Gabe Eltaeb are well-chosen throughout.

Aquaman #2 - A Review

For years, Black Manta has sought to destroy Aquaman in order to avenge the accidental death of his father, Today, he has executed his boldest effort yet, seeking not only to destroy Arthur Curry but his consort Mera and any hope of peace between the surface world and Atlantis with an attack on Atlantis' new embassy. How can Aquaman hope to defeat an enemy in a contest where a victory in battle will cost him a war?


Dan Abnett does not shy away from the inherent controversy in this story. While Black Manta's reasons for seeking vengeance are understandable, he is hardly a sympathetic villain. His purpose here is to show a localized cycle of violence and how terrorism is born of feelings of helplessness and a desire for revenge.

The question posed to Aquaman here is one that has come up repeatedly in our own national and international dialogues - how can we hold to our ideals while still dealing with an enemy who seems to care more about our destruction than their own welfare?  The answer, unsurprisingly, is the same one preached by our saner religious leaders and politicians - "Hate cannot drive out Hate. Only Love can do that," as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said and the way in which this principle invoked, while obvious in retrospect, is still astonishing to see play out.

Abnett's script is brought to life by a fantastic art team. Scot Eaton's character designs are crisp and clear and his action sequences well-choreographed. Inker Wayne Faucher provides suitable shading, increasing the amount of shadow in each panel to mirror the rising ominous tone in moments of dramatic silence. And Gabe Eltaeb's color art finishes everything perfectly.

Aquaman: Rebirth #1 - A Review

As the bastard son of the former queen of Atlantis, Arthur Curry is a king by birth. Yet he is seen by even the most moderate of his subjects as a dangerous outsider, more loyal to the surface world he was born to than the people he nominally rules. Meanwhile, the people of the surface both fear him as the leader of an enemy nation (Atlantis having invaded the United States once during the Throne of Atlantis storyline) and mock him for his ability to communicate with sea-life... as if that were all he were capable of!




Dan Abnett's script for this issue is reminiscent of Geoff John's first issue of The New 52 Aquaman, though much lighter on humor. Still, he does address the public perception of Aquaman while showing how inaccurate it is, as Aquaman and Mera fight a group of Atlantean terrorists. In this, Abnett perfectly sets the stage for the new Aquaman series.

The artwork proves equally serviceable. There's no notation as to which pages were handled by the respective pencillers (Scot Eaton and Oscar Jimenez) and inkers (Mark Morales and Oscar Jimenez) but the artwork looks good throughout. And Gabe Eltaeb does his usual high-quality job on the color art.