Aquaman #2
“Trench part 2″
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado
Reviewed by Bobby Shortle
Last month I extolled the virtues and execution of Geoff John’s brazenly cool reboot of Aquaman. I felt that book, like the best monthly comics, told a complete story while leaving me anxious for the next month’s outing. Aquaman #2 is a highly entertaining read that does wonders in setting up a threat for the King of Atlantis. However, like a lot of the #2’s in the new 52, I feel like it’s an incomplete adventure.
Many of the things I liked about issue one are still present. I love that the world still under estimates Aquaman’s abilities but the jibes feel less organic in this issue. Would a harried cop, who is investigating a mass murder, stop to muse about how Arthur Curry’s abilities really work? Would his superior officer object so passionately to having the help of the King of Atlantis? Obviously these are tiny nits to pick because there is much to love here.
It’s a testament to Johns’ writing that I already think of Aquaman as a man to be reckoned with. I found myself excited before the big battle scene to see what he could do. I’m also really digging the character of Mera. She is a water controlling bad ass with a bit of a temper and I’m interested to see how she counter acts Aquaman’s rather even demeanor. Their powers also compliment themselves very well visually. I’m also enamored with the idea of our hero not knowing the identity of a sea creature. Hopefully it makes for a little detective work and that always a welcome thing in my superhero books.
Aquaman #2 is a really good book its just not a great one. Its biggest negative is that there isn’t much in the way of story movement. A big event happens off page and I would have liked either a little more of Aquaman and Mera in action or some internal Arthur Curry development. Without those elements it feels like we have half a story stretched to take up an entire issue. That being said it’s never boring or bad it just feels incomplete.
VERDICT
Buy It- Despite my reservations its still very much a buy. The villain is scary the hero is cool and his lover is also a bad ass. I want to see more story in future books but I can forgive it here.
