Review Shooter: Aquaman #1

Writer: Geoff Johns

Aquaman was always a punchline to a superhero joke. He was “nobody’s favourite superhero” which is why I’m glad Johns and Reis have decided to make him an “a-list” hero again.

The book starts off with a short, but eerie introduction to what seems like the baddies of this first story-arc, from the depths of an ocean. We’re then taken back to land where Aquaman stops a heist, where everyone seems to be wondering, “what the heck is [Aquaman] doing out of the ocean?” You can tell that Geoff Johns gets the general perception of the hero, because later on in the book Aquaman is hounded by a blogger at a Sea Food Restaurant. The blogger continues to insult our hero until he’s had enough and walks out of the restaurant.

There are some brief history and character beats throughout the issue, especially at the end of the book where Arthur is reminiscing at Amnesty Bay. It’s here, with Mera that Arthur decides to start a new life away from Atlantis and on land. The issue ends with a final look at our gruesome baddies!

“Aquaman #1” is just littered with jokes about the King of Atlantis. Coming from the robbers, the police officers, the annoying blogger etc… Johns does a great job at addressing the fact that Aquaman is constantly at the butt-end of jokes, and he deals with it well. After the first scene, you already get a good sense at the power that Aquaman has. He is no slouch, and we quickly realise this.

Ivan Reis is my second favourite artist at DC Comics. After reading this, I don’t think anybody would have been able to draw Arthur so well. If you took away the dialogue from the whole book, I would still be able to read the story. That’s how good Reis is. His facial expressions say so much, without actually saying anything at all!

Survival Rating: LIVE! Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis want to make Aquaman cool again. There is no doubt in my mind that they will do just that.

Recommendation: BUY IT! If you are not buying this comic, you are making a HUGE mistake. Aquaman #1 is definitely worth the $2.99 pricetag.

NO LONGER WILL AQUAMAN BE A PUNCHLINE!