Aquaman #9
Reviewed by David Pinckney
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Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ivan Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 23, 2012
The King of the seas has been met with a lot of scrutiny from readers for years, but the new 52 set out to redefine his image. Helmed by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, Aquaman has come full circle and found himself an image that seems a little more serious. The series started strong, but nine months later, how does Aquaman really hold up?
Really well is how.
This issue the readers are learning a little about Aquaman's past and how he was associated with a group known as, The Others. He finds himself being called upon by a former ally in The Others as one of their own has fallen to the hands of Black Manta. Naturally the hunt begins, but it's clear that Arthur wants to leave his past in the past. He quickly realizes this is not an option.
The story progress very smoothly with each page mounting the tension. No page feels wasted and is all used to help move the story forward. That said, at times it does feel a little slow, but the slowness of a scene is over with before it becomes too much of a burden. Johns, as per usual, handles the dialog with finesse creating a story that's easy to follow and interesting to the reader.
Issue nine of Aquaman isn't just action, is has just the right amount of drama in it as well as Mera is trying desperately to figure out what Arthur isn't telling her about his past interactions with Black Manta. Through the drama we begin to see what makes this series really shine, which is showing how each character is an individual. None of them are carbon copies of each other at all. Each character has their own set of motive and values, and they stick to them at all cost.
It's impossible to talk about how well this issue holds up with out mentioning the art of Ivan Reis. Reis is always consistent and this issue is no different. His art work really seems to make the pages look like they are moving. Simple panel layouts keeps the reader moving from panel to panel with no problems. His level of detail is fantastic and really makes the pages seem even more real.
In the end, we have a very strong comic. Plain and simple. Aquaman fits very well with the new 52 and doesn't alienate itself from the rest of the DCU, in fact it expands it. The attention of, The Others adds for another level of intrigue that most DC fans will enjoy. This isn't a series just for Aquaman fans, it's a series for superhero fans.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Reviewer Bio
Name: David Pinckney
Bio: David is a freelance writer who after a few years of just reading comics, decided to start making some. "I write, and write, and write not just because I want the practice, but because it's what I like to do." Learn more about David at his site, sequentialgeek.com.
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