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imjustadow's review against another edition
2.0
eh it hits all the aquaman story beats, and throws in genocide, racism, and sexual assault (although all of those things were presented and addressed in such a 2011 way. not terrible, hope the rest of the aquaman series is better
wheremyproseat's review against another edition
5.0
I've been an Aquaman fan for ages so reading this relaunch and seeing he's finally getting the positive attention he deserves is fantastic! Geoff Johns's storyline is compelling; he's done an amazing job with dispelling all of the things people used to make fun of Aquaman by integrating touches of humor at key moments. I just really love this new retelling that will hopefully put the nail in Super Friend Aquaman's coffin.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
4.0
Yeah, I'm as surprised as anyone. But honestly, of the half dozen titles I've read from DC's relaunch, this one has been the best. By quite a margin, in fact.
For one thing, it's a pretty comprehensive relaunch. You don't have to know much about Aquaman to read it, and what you don't know can be picked up through the information-delivery vehicle the writers found, which is the ignorance of the general population when it comes to all things Aquaman. Which is in full force because, let's face it, no one respects Aquaman.
Perhaps in a world devoid of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman (although it was a little puzzling that people seemed so fixated on Aquaman's orange shirt when Batman and Superman wear underpants outside their pants and Wonder Woman is parading around in what appears to be a woman's one-piece bathing suit) Aquaman would seem more special. But because he is in a world with not only a Superman, a Batman, AND a Wonder Woman, but also a Flash, a Green Lantern, a Captain Boomerang...I could go on.
What makes this a good read is that you still get your comic book elements, your fight against the bad guys and all that, but this book also does a nice job with the human side of things, which is something that I think suffers in a lot of DC's books, if I can make an unfair and sweeping generalization.
The beauty of Marvel, to me, is that the characters are usually somewhat powerful, but for the most part they are still fairly human. Spider-Man is the prime example, of course, because Amazing Spider-Man has always been just as much about a guy being Peter Parker as it has been about a guy with super powers.
I think that feeling gets lost in a lot of DC books. The characters are just too powerful. And the human side is often very weak as a result. Does anyone give a shit about Clark Kent? Is there ever any question about which side is dominant, Barry Allen or the Flash?
Part of the reason that Batman has been such a success, to me anyway, is that he's one of the few characters where the repression of the human side is a part of the story. He's more human than most of the other characters, but he's ACTIVELY pushing that part of himself away. DC managed to turn the flaw in many of their characters to their advantage, and it was a great idea.
Aquaman, from the new 52 books I've read so far, is the only one I cared about as a guy. Deathstroke had a son that I couldn't care less about. The characters in Suicide Squad were flat. Batman, though enjoyable, went on a hallucinogenic trip within the first few issues, which is always a problem for me.
Aquaman is a real guy. He has to deal with idiotic questions all day because people think they're hilarious. His wife gets into a conflict when she goes out to buy dog food. They have a laugh about a childhood picture of Aquaman on skis.
This is what's so great about comics. With some good writing and relieved of the burden of past continuity, just about anything can be a great read. Even Aquaman.
For one thing, it's a pretty comprehensive relaunch. You don't have to know much about Aquaman to read it, and what you don't know can be picked up through the information-delivery vehicle the writers found, which is the ignorance of the general population when it comes to all things Aquaman. Which is in full force because, let's face it, no one respects Aquaman.
Perhaps in a world devoid of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman (although it was a little puzzling that people seemed so fixated on Aquaman's orange shirt when Batman and Superman wear underpants outside their pants and Wonder Woman is parading around in what appears to be a woman's one-piece bathing suit) Aquaman would seem more special. But because he is in a world with not only a Superman, a Batman, AND a Wonder Woman, but also a Flash, a Green Lantern, a Captain Boomerang...I could go on.
What makes this a good read is that you still get your comic book elements, your fight against the bad guys and all that, but this book also does a nice job with the human side of things, which is something that I think suffers in a lot of DC's books, if I can make an unfair and sweeping generalization.
The beauty of Marvel, to me, is that the characters are usually somewhat powerful, but for the most part they are still fairly human. Spider-Man is the prime example, of course, because Amazing Spider-Man has always been just as much about a guy being Peter Parker as it has been about a guy with super powers.
I think that feeling gets lost in a lot of DC books. The characters are just too powerful. And the human side is often very weak as a result. Does anyone give a shit about Clark Kent? Is there ever any question about which side is dominant, Barry Allen or the Flash?
Part of the reason that Batman has been such a success, to me anyway, is that he's one of the few characters where the repression of the human side is a part of the story. He's more human than most of the other characters, but he's ACTIVELY pushing that part of himself away. DC managed to turn the flaw in many of their characters to their advantage, and it was a great idea.
Aquaman, from the new 52 books I've read so far, is the only one I cared about as a guy. Deathstroke had a son that I couldn't care less about. The characters in Suicide Squad were flat. Batman, though enjoyable, went on a hallucinogenic trip within the first few issues, which is always a problem for me.
Aquaman is a real guy. He has to deal with idiotic questions all day because people think they're hilarious. His wife gets into a conflict when she goes out to buy dog food. They have a laugh about a childhood picture of Aquaman on skis.
This is what's so great about comics. With some good writing and relieved of the burden of past continuity, just about anything can be a great read. Even Aquaman.
caitcoy's review against another edition
4.0
Gotta say that this one actually lives up to the hype...
I have to admit that I haven't previously respected Aquaman all that much. Can't help but think of Robot Chicken's DC sketches everytime I hear about him:
So I love that Geoff Johns deals with this head on by making the lack of respect for Aquaman an actual struggle for him in the comic book. And damn does he deal with it. This isn't some "I talk to fish!" Aquaman. This Aquaman saves people and wrecks bad guys with a super badass trident all while people continue making jokes about him. I sure as hell wouldn't have that kind of patience.
The basic premise of The Trench is that a new kind of sea creature has emerged from deep within the ocean and they are very hungry. Turns out they need to eat a lot to survive and have settled on humans as their new food source. Arthur has decided to make a new home for himself on land with Mera (Aquawoman) and try to live among humans. When the hungry sea creatures make themselves known, it's up to Arthur to deal with the problem.
I liked this new Aquaman. You can tell that he's annoyed by the constant disrespect but he never lets it truly get in the way of protecting people or solving the problem that's been laid at his door. I loved his partnership with Mera, it felt like a real relationship rather than just some random love interest. And Mera was a flat out awesome character! Not a lady you ever want to mess with though.
I'd heard this new Aquaman series finally made him a badass superhero and I gotta say that I'm impressed. Definitely worth picking up!
I have to admit that I haven't previously respected Aquaman all that much. Can't help but think of Robot Chicken's DC sketches everytime I hear about him:
So I love that Geoff Johns deals with this head on by making the lack of respect for Aquaman an actual struggle for him in the comic book. And damn does he deal with it. This isn't some "I talk to fish!" Aquaman. This Aquaman saves people and wrecks bad guys with a super badass trident all while people continue making jokes about him. I sure as hell wouldn't have that kind of patience.
The basic premise of The Trench is that a new kind of sea creature has emerged from deep within the ocean and they are very hungry. Turns out they need to eat a lot to survive and have settled on humans as their new food source. Arthur has decided to make a new home for himself on land with Mera (Aquawoman) and try to live among humans. When the hungry sea creatures make themselves known, it's up to Arthur to deal with the problem.
I liked this new Aquaman. You can tell that he's annoyed by the constant disrespect but he never lets it truly get in the way of protecting people or solving the problem that's been laid at his door. I loved his partnership with Mera, it felt like a real relationship rather than just some random love interest. And Mera was a flat out awesome character! Not a lady you ever want to mess with though.
I'd heard this new Aquaman series finally made him a badass superhero and I gotta say that I'm impressed. Definitely worth picking up!
ruthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Okay. Aquaman is really cool.
Seriously, read this!
Seriously, read this!
scottpm's review against another edition
4.0
A nice little storyline that holds a lot of future potential. I lime to see Aquaman interact on land with humans. The art is very good. My one complaint is the stories are too short. I would like to see more depth to each issue.
karliahquinn's review against another edition
5.0
A superhero story that is hilarious, dramatic, feminist, and kick-ass. Up ALL of the thumbs.
philippmk's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Gore