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A review by daybreak
Aquaman, Volume 4: Death of a King by Geoff Johns
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!
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!