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Aquaman #2: Arthur’s hunt for the people of Atlantis takes to unfamiliar territory and against an unfamiliar foe. He is going to need to dig deep within himself to prove that he is the king and perhaps a prophecy fulfilled.
Jeremy Adams (WRITER)
John Timms (ARTIST)
Rex Lokus (COLORS)
Dave Sharpe (LETTERS)
John Timms (COVER)
Diving into the DC Comics waters for this review is Matt (Hops Geek news) and Ken – ODPH Podcast/Nerd Initiative EIC).
*Possible Spoilers Ahead*
The Story:
MATT: Jeremy makes it clear immediately that his version of Aquaman is not here for jokes. There is a sternness in the way Jeremy has written him that feels refreshing and what has been missing from the character in a while. There are some threads being pulled on such as a prophecy mentioned and the Omega symbol found that feels like we are setting up future stories in an exciting manner.
Dave adds to the heroics of Arthur in the way he letters in this issue. He speaks like a calm king, but when it is time to fight, the lettering aids massively, showing the gloves are off. The story being built here has me very intrigued, and we are meeting new villains as well, giving Aquaman life and excitement.
KEN: Adams delivers on taking the King into uncharted territory. Taking Curry out of his underwater area provides an exciting adventure. There is a fair share of new creatures and characters. The dynamics offer a steady flow of banter and action. This carries Curry into an unlikely confrontation.
His meeting with Jenny Greenteeth offers a sampling of this new initiative. The story is very different than the traditional Aquaman tales. Adams explores a new use of the hero’s powers. Readers watch as this new ability opens up a sliver of hope. It also introduces a new player in the game. The writing carries the traditional superhero themes. There’s plenty of big action in the mix. Where it finds its’ strength is in the new challenge thrown at Curry. This pushes towards a great cliffhanger ending. There are many elements at play which is nothing but wins for the audience.
The Artwork:
MATT: John and Rex kick off this issue by drawing this muddy wasteland and its creatures in a way that makes me think of Land of the Lost. Putting Aquaman in this unfamiliar terrain gives them the ability to showcase his power sets epically. The way they drew and colored the mud sticking against his suit and the contrasting colors stand out immensely. Arthur is drawn in a gigantic way showcasing the raw power that he has and the colors of green, oranges, and browns stick out vibrantly making this run so much fun to read and look at.
KEN: Timms and Lokus mix in great images of the King before marching forward. The aliens at play carry a sci-fi look to them. Aquaman’s disposal of the threats comes across larger than life. This is a welcomed change to what Aquaman has previously been seen as. Each image of conflict solidifies the ruthlessness of the King. It proves to be needed with his latest threat.
Greenteeth hits readers with a horrific look. The resulting action leads into a new aspect of this run. Panels show Curry’s newfound abilities to be game-changing. This leads into a dynamic two-page spread. Its’ fallout provides many heroic spots. Nothing compares to the curve ball ending. A full page image ushers Curry into an even further unseen place. This will have readers guessing what’s happening until next issue. Readers will have a great time seeing these visuals.
Overall Grade: 9.6/10
MATT: Overall Grade: 10/10. Aquaman #2 builds off a strong first issue and shows us Arthur powerfully and vibrantly that we have not seen in some time. This run should not be slept on as the team assembled is cementing itself early as an early favorite of 2025.
Find more from Matt at http://hops-geek-news.com
KEN: OVERALL GRADE: 9.2/10. A noble search proves to be quite the surprise for DC’s underwater king. Adams’ writing keeps the excitement level at an all time high. The electric art of Timms and Lokas craft a thrilling chase for answers. Two chapters in and there’s no shortage of redefining how great a hero the King truly is.
