Description
Aquaman, the King of the Seven Seas, returns in his very own ongoing series for the first time in years at the hands of DC Entertainment Chief Creative Office Geoff Johns, who reteams with Green Lantern collaborator artist Ivan Reis! Between proving himself to a world that sees him as a joke, Aquaman and his bride Mera face off against a long buried terror from the depths of the ocean!.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-09-11
Physical description
144 p.; 10.17 inches
Publication
DC Comics (2013), Edition: New 52 ed., 144 pages
Pages
144
ISBN
9781401237103
Local notes
Collects #1 through 6 of the Aquaman relaunch for The New 52 following the events of "Flashpoint". The events of this volume are heavily referenced in volume 3 of Justice League, also written by Johns and drawn by Reis.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member swampygirl
Overall this was a real 2.5 stars experience. Trying to be optimistic though, so 3 stars it is.
My favorite thing about this graphic novel was actually the art. It was definitely digital (not something I'm a huge fan of usually) but there was just the right level of detail and what I usually find a
The plot came in at a definite second. Not to say it was all bad, the way it (hopefully) sets up future volumes showed a level of complexity I wasn't necessarily expecting. Since it's part of the new 52, I was kind of expecting it to spoon feed me Aquaman's origin story so I'd immediately run out and buy a million comic books. While I certainly know more about Aquaman now then when I started (at zero) the volume leaves off with far more questions then answers. Which could work out really well, or really badly.
The dialog and the characters were the least inspiring aspect of this volume for me. Not horrible, just kind of flat and uninspiring. There mostly just superhero cutouts with some seaweed draped across their skin tight outfits. They were equally skin tight though, and there was an equal amount of male and female skin going on, so while Mera is one dimensional character with boobs, I'll remain un-offended. It doesn't appear like she'll need to be rescued anytime soon anyway.
My favorite thing about this graphic novel was actually the art. It was definitely digital (not something I'm a huge fan of usually) but there was just the right level of detail and what I usually find a
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distasteful plastic sheen, really felt right considering the aquatic nature of the comic. The plot came in at a definite second. Not to say it was all bad, the way it (hopefully) sets up future volumes showed a level of complexity I wasn't necessarily expecting. Since it's part of the new 52, I was kind of expecting it to spoon feed me Aquaman's origin story so I'd immediately run out and buy a million comic books. While I certainly know more about Aquaman now then when I started (at zero) the volume leaves off with far more questions then answers. Which could work out really well, or really badly.
The dialog and the characters were the least inspiring aspect of this volume for me. Not horrible, just kind of flat and uninspiring. There mostly just superhero cutouts with some seaweed draped across their skin tight outfits. They were equally skin tight though, and there was an equal amount of male and female skin going on, so while Mera is one dimensional character with boobs, I'll remain un-offended. It doesn't appear like she'll need to be rescued anytime soon anyway.
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LibraryThing member nmhale
Aquaman is not as respected as some of his better known peers in the DC Universe, and this story cheekily explores that as a side story in the plot about carnivorous sea creatures that emerge from a deep trench in the ocean and begin to devour people on the coast. Aquaman comes on the scene with a
I really enjoyed this comic. The main plot was entertaining, with suitably spooky enemies and plenty of action, in and out of the water. The story also raised some nuanced moral issues that rose above a clear cut definition of what is good and evil. The trench creatures aren't necessarily malicious, just hungry. They need more food to feed their children, who are growing up deformed due to a lack of nutrition. The only way to stop them seems to be to kill them all, but is destroying an entire species justified, even if it is the only way for humanity to survive? Aquaman is full of doubts, as he senses their sentience, while Mera voices the opposite opinion, that they are mindless vicious creatures that deserve destruction. The moral questions embedded in the action brought greater depth and tension to the story. Humor and sweet romantic moments balance out the tone of the book, keeping it from being too heavy. Especially fun is the irony in how people perceive Aquaman as a joke, whereas the man is quite serious, burdened with a sad past few know, and willing to risk his life for others. The writers create an impressive warrior, acknowledging the past impressions of Aquaman as a silly second-rate hero and revealing that the people who think this are the foolish ones, not Aquaman. The main plot is resolved, but many questions remain unanswered. I look forward to reading more in this series.
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dramatic leap. He stops men who are fleeing from the police, a typical superhero move. Instead of adoring masses, though, he is greeted with disbelief and snickers. The police officers are embarrassed that they were helped by Aquaman, and even wonder why he was there, since it's not the ocean. Aquaman is stoic, and heads to a cafe for a meal, but when a reporter is callous enough to ask him how it feels to be a superhero joke, Aquaman storms out. Despite this condescending treatment, Aquaman quickly comes to the rescue when the trench creatures attack a coastal town. He and his girl, Mera, follow in the wake of the creatures that took nearly half the town with them as future snacks, in the hopes of saving the victims. They are able to trace the creatures back to the trench, where they discover an ancient Atlantean vessel submerged and forming part of the home for these trench creatures and their queen. Aquaman and Mera engage in a final furious confrontation, and save the kidnapped people, but at a great cost. I really enjoyed this comic. The main plot was entertaining, with suitably spooky enemies and plenty of action, in and out of the water. The story also raised some nuanced moral issues that rose above a clear cut definition of what is good and evil. The trench creatures aren't necessarily malicious, just hungry. They need more food to feed their children, who are growing up deformed due to a lack of nutrition. The only way to stop them seems to be to kill them all, but is destroying an entire species justified, even if it is the only way for humanity to survive? Aquaman is full of doubts, as he senses their sentience, while Mera voices the opposite opinion, that they are mindless vicious creatures that deserve destruction. The moral questions embedded in the action brought greater depth and tension to the story. Humor and sweet romantic moments balance out the tone of the book, keeping it from being too heavy. Especially fun is the irony in how people perceive Aquaman as a joke, whereas the man is quite serious, burdened with a sad past few know, and willing to risk his life for others. The writers create an impressive warrior, acknowledging the past impressions of Aquaman as a silly second-rate hero and revealing that the people who think this are the foolish ones, not Aquaman. The main plot is resolved, but many questions remain unanswered. I look forward to reading more in this series.
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LibraryThing member Traciinaz
I was very pleasantly surprised bu this comic. Aquaman has been mocked for years and they don't hide from it in these issues but turn it around to show that he's going to prove everyone wrong. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.
LibraryThing member adaorhell
Book of the Month for Comic Book Club at Criminal Records. Usually, I don't read superhero comics but my heart goes out to Arthur (Aquaman) here. Those monsters pull on all my squicks as a human - humanoid insect primordial creatures, hive mind, frightening. Probably won't continue reading this
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series, but I do like Aquawoman (Mera) and her cool distaste of everything land based and Arthur's biracial fears. Even superheroes get the biracial blues. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nicole_13
Admittedly, this was my first Aquaman graphic novel. This was not, however, my first foray into the New 52. Of all of the New 52 I have read so far, this is by far one of my favorites. It was well written, and the artwork was beautiful.
My recent love affair with Aquaman began after playing
If you want to give an often disrespected character another chance or you're just looking to try out some of the New 52, you should definitely check out this series.
My recent love affair with Aquaman began after playing
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Injustice:Gods Among Us because, seriously, he is a complete badass in that game. I wanted to learn more about the character, and this series happened to be one of the highest rated. The Trench has officially made me an Aquaman fan. I'm not very far into the series, but what I have read has been very well done.If you want to give an often disrespected character another chance or you're just looking to try out some of the New 52, you should definitely check out this series.
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LibraryThing member kevn57
The first four chapters the art was gorgeous but then chapter 5 it wasn't as nice but still good and chapter six the artist changed and overall it looked nowhere near as nice especially the character design.
LibraryThing member David_Brown
Everyone seems to have left glowing reviews for this, but I found it to be quite underwhelming, especially considering the level of writing we're used to seeing from Geoff Johns. Aquaman's ridicule by the public seems like a forced plot point, almost incidental even though it is meant to drive the
I wanted to be impressed by this, and the first few pages seemed to hold much promise. The potential was never realized. I wonder if perhaps poor editorial decisions squashed Johns craft? In any case, this is the least compelling offering from the first New 52 story arcs.
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story. We're introduced to a nameless, generic foe that is no real test for any hero, and are to believe that Aquaman is incredible for facing it. The explanations of Aquaman's past should leave us with a sense of who he is, but I feel as though I've barely been introduced to the character at the conclusion of this volume. Mera could have added a great deal to the story, but her character falls flat and feels like a pressured new version of Wonder Woman. I wanted to be impressed by this, and the first few pages seemed to hold much promise. The potential was never realized. I wonder if perhaps poor editorial decisions squashed Johns craft? In any case, this is the least compelling offering from the first New 52 story arcs.
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