Reviews

Aquaman Vol. 4: Death of a King by Geoff Johns

coolnameguy's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Geoff Johns should know how to pace a story by now. This is the second arc in a row that had a huge, epic build-up that went from dire to over in a few panels. Overall it's not as amazing as Throne of Atlantis was but it's still really good and oozing with interesting lore and stunning art. Again, it ended horribly abruptly, but it was still a joy to read.

tmwebb3's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I really enjoyed all parts of this one. The Mera and Xebel stuff especially. Well drawn and well written.

scottpm's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Very nice! We learn more and possibly the truth about Aquaman's claim to the throne. We also saw several story lines completed. I love what Geoff Johns did with the character. The artwork was also very nice. I like the clean art that DC uses much more than the stylized art of Marvel.

ageorges's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Aquaman continues to be awesome.

caterpie_reading's review

Go to review page

5.0

Well, this is my favorite volume so far. Death of a King exceeded my expectations, which I thought could not be possible. I can't help it, I am so in love with Geoff Johns Aquaman run and this was a worthy finale. I know that I said this about the previous three volumes as well, but it's the truth: I had so much fun reading this story, I loved every second of it.
The story was so complex and well thought out that it was like a movie that played in my head. While reading this, I was completely in my own world, sucked into the awesomeness that was this story. There were different plot lines that wove together perfectly in the end and I liked reading about all of them from the beginning which was great. So there never was a dull moment or a time where I wasn't interested in what was going on. I was so fascinated by the Dead King and what his history and motives may be and I really liked that he became such an important element of the story later on. The little twist in the story after Aquaman finds out more about the Dead King in Antarctica was one of my favorite things. The "secret of Atlantis" with its original 7 realms was such a cool plot element that gave the story much more depth. Also, the revelation regarding Aquamans heritage was also something that was very well done.
The newly introduced characters Murk and Tula were amazing. They felt very developed from the beginning and especially with Tula I fell in love with. I just really liked seeing a character that loves Orm but respects Arthur at the same time and seeing in what kind of a difficult situation that can bring someone. However, it was so fun seeing those two and Swatt (who is probably one of the most intriguing characters and I want to know eeeeeverything about him) on land, trying to rescue Orm.
One of the thing I loved most about Death of King was probably getting some background knowledge on Mera, which I was dying for. And finally we got to see some history on her. The time where Mera was in Xebel was just so great to read about, I loved seeing another city than Atlantis. Xebel itself is situated in the Bermuda triangle and there is only one way to enter it, which I thought was a really clever idea. Nereus was such an obnoxious character but he was something that the story needed to become even more perfect, so I was really glad that a character like him was introduced. The Scavenger brought about some nice little twists and turns in the plot and I think that he was good and necessary addition for the complexity of the story.
Overall, I really liked the pacing and the flow of the story, I never felt bored or lost while reading, but more so engaged and interested in what was happening. Geoff Johns is such a fantastic writing, he definitely knows how to write an intriguing story and beautiful, fleshed out characters. The previous three volumes helped this one to become the fantastic conclusion that it is. Moreover, I just loved the ending to pieces. It was so nice seeing Orm outside of a prison cell, living a somewhat normal life. And I was at the edge of my seat when Nereus showed up and dropped the bomb regarding the seven seas. God, I loved that. The ending with Mera and Arthur was especially adorable, I am so glad that those two are united again, even if it is in Atlantis. In general, I loved how their relationship and love was portrayed throughout the first 4 volumes. Their loyalty to each other, their honesty and the fact that Arthur would do absolutely anything for his queen melts my heart each time.
Two really nice additions were Topo (yeay for the giant octopus saving the day) and Urn. His loyalty to Arthur, to laws and justice and the way he acted in general touched my heart and his death broke it. I was so hoping for another supporter of Aquaman as king but oh well, what can you do.
I also feel like Aquaman itself gets even more complex in this volume, his character even more shaded. He evolved in such a strong character and I loved that Geoff Johns did this for him.
The art, of course, was stunning as always. Sometimes I stared at the panels for far longer than it was necessary, but they were just so damn beautiful.

I have nothing bad to say about this volume. It was just a treat reading it.

manuelte's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Aquaman continues to have its universe expanded. First we established The trench, we have finally expanded on where Mera comes from, and we got the backstory of Atlantis and its first king Atlan. On this volume DC is giving Aquaman the treatment Green Lantern got with Geoff Johns: expanding on the underwater world and introducing us to the seven kingdoms to echo the seven seas. Overall very entertaining.

jessiswhelmed's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

4.0

rcgeek_13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

daybreak's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Ok I'm pissed right now! It seems the French publishers of Aquaman have decided to completely put aside the Atlantis vs Surface storyline!? I was really confused at the start of the 3rd French volume because last I remembered was Aquaman finding Vulko and now suddenly he's a traitor and what not. I just assumed all these went down in the Justice League comics but nah, the french editions just decided to skip issues 14 to 16. Why???

Anyway, after the confusing start, I very much enjoyed this volume. Wow did I like this.

There is a perfectly balanced mix of politics, character development and plot.

I still like the epic feel I get from Aquaman's storyline (which I enjoyed in Vol 2). Reading this feels like an adventure.

I very much enjoyed all the characters too. Aquaman trying to be a King, having these hard choices to make was so interesting. I liked the Murk and Tula storyline too : though I don't particularly like Murk, I could understand him and appreciate his loyalty. Same for Vulko; I do understand where he is coming from. I thought the characters were very fleshed out and interesting. It was a joy to read.

I also liked the social commentaries on human nature, on destructiveness, on immigration no less (with the race mixing and all). I have to point out though, it is such a missed opportunity to have made the First king a villain : the fact that he became "mad" is definitely a cheap cop out from the very interesting division for the throne. Aside from being so convenient it is a loss opportunity! It would have been just epic if this clearly good king came back with all his head and his epic vision for his kingdom. This would have been a great chance to develop Aquaman's character : what does is he bringing to the table? what is his vision? in whay ways is he better as King than the first king? Of course, that would have been complex to treat and since this is the eponymous Aquaman comics, well Aquaman gotta be the one and only king right? Hence the very sad madness excuse.

Aside from that it was a very engrossing read with great drawings (at some points no though lol). Really liked this one! Pity I discovered the skipping of issues 14 to 16 only when I finished. Well it did not dampen my experience. Which is to say how much I enjoyed this. Now I'm off to right this error!

apageinthestacks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Probably more 4.5/5ish?

Great end to Johns' Aquaman run.