There’s a conspiracy brewing in Atlantis, and the Aquamen are on the case! Of course, one may be in on it, and the other’s evil dad is lurking in the wings… Your Major Spoilers review of Aquamen #1 from DC Comics awaits!
AQUAMEN #1
Writer: Chuck Brown and Brandon Thomas
Artist: Sami Basri
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Andworld Design
Editor: Andrea Shea & Michael McAlister
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 22, 2022
Previously in Aquamen: When a terrorist in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction… and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy!
ATLANTEAN SLEEPER AGENTS
Having chosen to take up the mantle and call himself Aquaman, Jackson Hyde starts this issue leaping into action against an attack of the Ocean Master, alongside Arthur Curry, also called Aquaman. While Arthurman takes on his half-brother, Aquahyde goes mano-a-dragóno with a sea serpent sent to destroy the United Nations. While their battle rages, a man in Ohio sees it on television and suddenly begins speaking an Atlantean dialect. The same happens in Paris, where Hyde’s father David AKA Black Manta gets involved to stop him. Arthur makes short work of Orm, but Jackson’s enraged attack leaves the seadragon badly wounded, making his partner question Hyde’s mental health after seeing his mother put into a coma in the pages of Aquaman: The Becoming. When the news comes in from Titans Academy that Black Manta has been sighted, he once again reacts impulsively, racing to the site and laying into his helmeted pater familias with all (water)guns blazing.
And then, Arthur makes him stop, explaining that, this time, Black Manta is on their side.
A REALLY GOOD-LOOKING COMIC
The art of Sami Basri makes this a lovely visual experience, whether it’s superheroes battling giant sea serpents or the quiet tale of a man building a bomb for reasons unrevealed, and Jackson’s Aquaman costume has never looked better. Much like Yara Flor’s, Hyde’s Future State look is weirdly busy and a little overdesigned. The emotions conveyed are likewise powerful, especially when the Aquamen have their slightly uncomfortable discussion about Jackson’s actions. The real test of any Aquaman artist, though, is a really simple one: Can you make Nick Cardy’s Black Manta design look good? Jim Aparo could and so can Basri. The plot is also nicely handled, but in no way as new-reader-friendly as I feel a first issue should be. The recent backstory of the Aquamen is referenced in ways that make me glad I’ve read all the recent issues, but the use of Ocean Master, Black Manta, and the introduction of the suicide bomber plotline are all well-done.
BOTTOM LINE: IS BLACK MANTA GETTING A MOVIE?
After his recent solo series and his prevalence here, it’s clear that a full-fledged hero turn is in the works for Black Manta, but it’s also nice that his turn in the spotlight doesn’t overwhelm the main characters. Aquamen #1 manages to get me past the puzzling question of a book with two leads who have the same name with a combination of truly excellent art and some intriguing story developments, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. Readers who can’t wrap their minds around the question of how to make Aquaman awesome should find a copy of this issue and take the time to soak it in.
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AQUAMEN #1
It's not really a number one issue, but it's got some strong character beats and action sequences, as well as a spectacular art job, so I'd love to see more, even if it's weird to call BOTH heroes Aquaman.
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Writing7
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Art9
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Coloring8
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.