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boards_books_and_brews's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Aquaman, Vol. 1: The Drowning
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brad Walker and Phillipe Briones
Book 75/250
Genre: Fantasy, Superhero
Format: Digital, Graphic Novel
Pages: 176
Published: 2017
Rating: 6/10
Art: 6/10
Collects Aquaman (2016) Rebirth & 1-6
This was an interesting volume, but pretty slow. The book revolves around diplomatic relations between Atlantis and the US, which after a certain point just drones on. The Superman v Aquaman fight is pretty great though! I may continue in the future but not right away.
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brad Walker and Phillipe Briones
Book 75/250
Genre: Fantasy, Superhero
Format: Digital, Graphic Novel
Pages: 176
Published: 2017
Rating: 6/10
Art: 6/10
Collects Aquaman (2016) Rebirth & 1-6
This was an interesting volume, but pretty slow. The book revolves around diplomatic relations between Atlantis and the US, which after a certain point just drones on. The Superman v Aquaman fight is pretty great though! I may continue in the future but not right away.
colindalaska's review against another edition
2.0
Agh! So tedious.
Diplomacy through punching
"We need to talk" Punch!
Diplomacy through punching
"We need to talk" Punch!
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this...but only just liked it. The art is very nice and I'll probably read the next volume that comes out. ~Ashley
christajls's review against another edition
2.0
So so so disappointed. I'm an eternal optimist when it comes to Aquaman - I like this character and I WANT his comics to be good. But this just wasn't. The first issue was simply awful and though it improved a bit in issues 2-6 the dialogue was awkward throughout and it constantly felt like they were on the verge of losing the plot.
And then Superman shows up for the weirdest fight scene between him, Aquaman and Mera, all the while Aquaman bemoans the fact that he is "the black sheep" of the Justice League and everyone else has their little trios he's left out of (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman being one, Green Lantern, Flash & Cyborg being the other - although I'm not convinced these three are actually a "trio"). It just didn't feel right. It felt contrived.
All that being said - being the eternal optimist that I am...I'll probably keep reading.
And then Superman shows up for the weirdest fight scene between him, Aquaman and Mera, all the while Aquaman bemoans the fact that he is "the black sheep" of the Justice League and everyone else has their little trios he's left out of (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman being one, Green Lantern, Flash & Cyborg being the other - although I'm not convinced these three are actually a "trio"). It just didn't feel right. It felt contrived.
All that being said - being the eternal optimist that I am...I'll probably keep reading.
scottpm's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, but it felt like a remake of New 52 Aquaman volume 1.
caterpie_reading's review against another edition
2.0
Actual Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Sadly, this was kind of a bummer. I am currently making my way through Aquaman New 52, so I was hoping (and also expecting) for a captivating, intriguing story with well written characters and beautiful art. Well, I got none of it and I was so disappointed. Maybe this volume is not so bad as I make it out to be, but my expectations were, surprisingly, not met.
The art, at least for me, was mediocre at best. I did not like how facial expressions and characters in general were drawn. I just was not my cup of tea. There were some nice panels and panels where I did not mind the art style, but over all, it was not for me. However, I do hope that I will get used to it and/or that the art improves, because otherwise, Aquaman: Rebirth and I are going to have a little problem.
The characters fell flat for me as well. The idea of the surface world being afraid of Atlantis could work and maybe with another writer I would’ve enjoyed this story line. But it was executed quite boring and I was not really engaged while reading. Black Mantas appearance was meh as well, nothing special, though I am intrigued how his story with N.E.M.O will progress. In general, the story felt a little bit too much like a “set up” for the next volumes, which is typically okay with me, but there was no real purpose of these issues except the set up for further plot lines which I found to be a little bit dragging. However, I see the potential and I really hope that the next volume is going to be a little better. It definitely could be, with all the foundation that this book provides. The thing that probably bugged me most was that I just read a very similar story than this, in Aquaman New 52: Volume 3. And New 52 was definitely better. I felt a little bit more involved with the story and the characters and I felt for them, which was missing in the first Rebirth volume.
Furthermore, I was extremely disturbed by the way Mera was acting. Yes, she has a temper, but this was just too much. She was risking everything that Arthur worked for, and why? Because she felt like it. I am pretty sure that New 52 Mera would not have been so thoughtless. On the same note, Aquaman was acting weirdly out of character as well. I did not understand why it was necessary to let him fight Superman. That was just an awkward scene and I am pretty sure no one wanted to see that. Moreover, I was kind of upset about Arthur playing the “black sheep” in the Justice League – card. I think this was just over the top and not very typical for Arthur to behave like that. I like to imagine that he feels accepted by his fellow superheroes, no matter what the general public might think of him and Atlantis. I like to think that the other members of the League are accepting of him. And actually, it always has been that way. I think that it is especially odd that Superman of all members of the Justice League does not understand Aquaman one bit. That was just weird writing.
All in all, I was just underwhelmed with the story, the art and the characters.
Sadly, this was kind of a bummer. I am currently making my way through Aquaman New 52, so I was hoping (and also expecting) for a captivating, intriguing story with well written characters and beautiful art. Well, I got none of it and I was so disappointed. Maybe this volume is not so bad as I make it out to be, but my expectations were, surprisingly, not met.
The art, at least for me, was mediocre at best. I did not like how facial expressions and characters in general were drawn. I just was not my cup of tea. There were some nice panels and panels where I did not mind the art style, but over all, it was not for me. However, I do hope that I will get used to it and/or that the art improves, because otherwise, Aquaman: Rebirth and I are going to have a little problem.
The characters fell flat for me as well. The idea of the surface world being afraid of Atlantis could work and maybe with another writer I would’ve enjoyed this story line. But it was executed quite boring and I was not really engaged while reading. Black Mantas appearance was meh as well, nothing special, though I am intrigued how his story with N.E.M.O will progress. In general, the story felt a little bit too much like a “set up” for the next volumes, which is typically okay with me, but there was no real purpose of these issues except the set up for further plot lines which I found to be a little bit dragging. However, I see the potential and I really hope that the next volume is going to be a little better. It definitely could be, with all the foundation that this book provides. The thing that probably bugged me most was that I just read a very similar story than this, in Aquaman New 52: Volume 3. And New 52 was definitely better. I felt a little bit more involved with the story and the characters and I felt for them, which was missing in the first Rebirth volume.
Furthermore, I was extremely disturbed by the way Mera was acting. Yes, she has a temper, but this was just too much. She was risking everything that Arthur worked for, and why? Because she felt like it. I am pretty sure that New 52 Mera would not have been so thoughtless. On the same note, Aquaman was acting weirdly out of character as well. I did not understand why it was necessary to let him fight Superman. That was just an awkward scene and I am pretty sure no one wanted to see that. Moreover, I was kind of upset about Arthur playing the “black sheep” in the Justice League – card. I think this was just over the top and not very typical for Arthur to behave like that. I like to imagine that he feels accepted by his fellow superheroes, no matter what the general public might think of him and Atlantis. I like to think that the other members of the League are accepting of him. And actually, it always has been that way. I think that it is especially odd that Superman of all members of the Justice League does not understand Aquaman one bit. That was just weird writing.
All in all, I was just underwhelmed with the story, the art and the characters.
georgezakka's review against another edition
3.0
3.8, enjoyed this book more than I expected, enjoyed the story and the art was cool, but the issue I liked the most was the last one where aquaman fights superman. Overall good book and looking forward to continuing the series
lphr3ads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually a reader of comics, but I read through this with growing interest. The art was crisp and the story was good. I definitely want to see where it goes.