Aquaman #1

November 2011

Written by: Geoff Johns

Art by: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

Review: 9 / 10

Its no surprise that Aquaman has spent the last decade being reduced to nothing more than a punchline within the comic book readers community.  In the past any attempt to make Aquaman “cool” and “modern” involved changing his looks, losing his hand and gaining a hook , losing the hook and gaining a water projected Limb , losing that and getting his hand back and a sword …err you get the point .

Enter Geoff Johns who made an all too familiar promise to make Aquaman cool again . Does he make good on that promise ? Not even a third of the way into Aquaman #1 I’m happy to say that yes he most definitely has made Aquaman “cool” again . What is his secret ? He mixes current day Aquaman with flashbacks of Arthur Curry  as a boy who looks up to his father . This  manages to make Aquaman not only Regal but someone you constantly relate to on a human level through his idolization of his father. Having Ivan Reis and Joe Prado as your art team definitely doesn’t hurt matters.  The way Ivan draws subtle facial expressions help create the calm anger and authority Arthur Curry commands over land dwellers and Fish alike .  Don’t worry  there is also plenty of action complete with Ivan drawing one of the best panels Ive seen in a long time.  I must mention that the humor in this book is amazing. I would have sworn that John Hughes had shared writing duties in this issue . The scenes in the diner alone are pitch perfect. Geoff puts Aquaman through the wringer a bit by way of an overtly friendly blogger only to remind him ,  and us the readers with one glare that we should keep those thoughts to ourselves otherwise there’s a Trident with our name on it .

Great characterization can go a long way towards new readers accepting whatever crazy concepts get thrown at them page after page . This is where my only issue with Aquaman #1 lies. While I wont spoil anything for you , I will say that the immediate threat right now seems underwhelming for me . I am hoping that in time there is a bit more to the creatures’ motivations than “there’s food up there” .  Geoff has more than earned my trust over the years though  so this is only a small snag in an otherwise very strong first effort .

In a single issue Geoff Johns manages to establish Aquaman to new readers and give old fans something to rub in the faces of anyone who will try to make fun of him going forward .  Aquaman is back and he’s a bad ass.

Mike DeVivo

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