Simon Says: Aquaman – The Trench

By Michael on October 23, 2012 • ( 4 )

Reviewing Aquaman was more of a treat than I originally expected. Prior to reading the remake of the series, I had the same preconceived notions everyone else had of the hero. He was a man that could talk with fish and swim fast. It came as quite a shock then when I started reading about a hero who was bulletproof, had super strength, could swim and withstand thousands of tons of pressure, and who was as charismatic as some other favorite heroes in the DC archives. Geoff Johns wrote this tale with a smug confidence that he could reinvent the character to be a popular icon, and I think he was incredibly successful in his attempt. The writing oozed with tension and character development, to the point where Johns was openly meta about the fact that this wasn’t your fathers Aquaman. Jokes rang out everywhere about how the Prince of Atlantis suddenly could hold his own on land. I am looking forward to future issues where he encounters other superheroes and they are in turn surprised of his abilities. I am also very pleased that they finally explained in a rational way how he can “talk” to fish, and it makes a lot more sense that the man can tweak their survival instincts rather than actually have in depth conversations with them. I would also love to summon sharks one day as easily as he can.

Given the public obsession with the Mariana Trench, I am not surprised that it was used as the source of the antagonists for this storyline, but they really fit within the role of a villain that could help give a definition to this new Arthur Curry. It really felt though as they were a backdrop to establishing this version of the character was both vulnerable and a titan. He clearly has unresolved feelings with his mixed heritage, and his father will likely be a source of inspiration much like Uncle Ben was with Peter Parker. I would have really loved some time actually in Atlantis, and I feel like in the future, I will get my wish. Sometimes when reading what essentially is an origin story, I have to remind myself that the story ideas are being planted like seeds, and I have to wait patiently like everyone else for them to blossom into full blown story arcs.

Maybe more surprising to me than the newly redefined strengths of Aquaman was the power of his partner and lover, Mera. I had never read anything about her prior to this comic book and she held her own as a warrior sorceress. There are some panels where her water spells truly impressed me, and maybe its here that I have to give tribute to Ivan Reis. The detail and attention that went into his artwork was truly something to behold, and out of the New 52 comics I have read, it is by far the most impressive and colorful.

I did feel like the story ended rather abruptly, but that might be a testament to how much I enjoyed the story more than the limitations of the run. I am very much looking forward to more of what they have to offer, as well as some further development between Arthur and Mera. If I had to give any criticisms to the work, I would suggest that in the next volume, the townspeople offer a little more than punchlines and surprising meta-worthy responses to Aquaman’s appearance. If we’re all to start taking this superhero seriously, then we need the characters inside the comic to do so as well.

So, overall, how would I rate this new Aquaman? Excellent, but I also offer a challenge to Geoff Johns. You’ve proved your point; you can make the character interesting. You can destroy the stereotypes of the past. Now run with it, and truly make this hero one of my favorites.

You have one hell of a head start.

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Categories: Comic Books, Review