With this issue of Aquaman, the series takes one step closer to become Game of Thrones but underwater. There are false kings, wars being waged due to the machinations of others, and now: ice zombies.
The bulk of the issue is devoted to Arthur continuing to deal with the fallout from the Atlantean War. Humans have been selling Atlantean weapons capable of extreme violence, so teams are dispatched to deal with them. While Arthur believes that this is his responsibility, some of his people would prefer to ignore the surface world altogether. They have seen the infighting and destruction humans cause, and hate them all the more for it. Afterward, Arthur talks with Tula – half-sister of Orm – and ensures that he won’t allow the humans to kill their mutual brother. Finally, he visits Vulko to ask about the weapons deals.
Meanwhile back on the surface, Mera has been arrested for her grocery store incident from several issues back and is not taking it well. Unfortunately, just as she begins to come to terms with the consequences of her actions, she is attacked by aforementioned ice zombie.
Aquaman has been one of DC’s most consistently entertaining titles. It has taken Arthur from a joke character to a compelling and powerful hero. He’s a man as strong as Superman, as alien as Martian Manhunter, and as misunderstood as Batman. He’s a man of two worlds yet accepted by neither. He has all the pressures of super heroics in addition to the pressures of leading a country, without even a secret identity to relieve some tension. The series has dealt with new species, ancient artifacts, and a full-scale Atlantean invasion – and it shows no signs of slowing.
This issue was very well-done. The central story – Arthur dealing with sitting on the throne – is bookended by the new zombie threat, and punctuated by Mera’s dilemma. Both spouses are – forgive the pun – fish out of water, dealing with circumstances they don’t fully understand and people that don’t understand them.
Art-wise, Paul Pelletier does a fantastic job. While he is no Ivan Reis (and really, who is?) his style is close enough for a masterful visual transition. The art is clean, and expressive, and really simply beautiful. Not to mention – the last page is stunning. If you aren’t reading Aquaman, I recommend picking up this issue – or even better, issue #1.
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