AQUAMAN #4 – DIVE INTO THE EXCITING WATER

“What a long Strange Trip It’s Been” – J. Garcia. Atlantis is missing. Its’ King wants answers. Seeing a familiar sign appear as a gateway, Aquaman ventures into an unknown world. Everything he knows is challenged. Now captured, Arthur Curry needs to act fast. Will he be a savior or a pawn in a grand scheme?

AQUAMAN #4 by Jeremy Adams, John Timms, Rex Lokus and Dave Sharpe continues its’ action-packed first arc.

Teaming up for this review is the EIC (Ken – ODPH Podcast) and yours truly (Matt – Hops Geek News)

The Story:

Matt: I am enjoying how strong of a hero and determined Aquaman is in this run. He is using his knowledge more so than brute strength to find his way to work out of the chains he was bound within. There have been more subtle hints to Darkseid and I am extremely curious what Adams has up his sleeve with him down the line. Adam’s take on Arthur is becoming one of my favorites as he truly shows what a king he is and how he will stop at nothing for his people.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW!

Ken: In four issues, Adams has shattered any preconceived notions of who Aquaman is. In its’ place is a magical tale of bravery and grit. Curry’s drive to reconnect with his wife and people proves invaluable. The flashback opening works to reconnect that point. Quickly it shifts to his present danger. During this sequence, the issue hits stride.

Pushing his newfound capabilities, Aquaman stages a daring escape. Readers sit back in awe as he evades his captors. Adams pushes the pace to a break-neck point. Only when new allies arrive does it slow down temporarily. It doesn’t take long to rev back up with a new factor in hand. The result makes quite the statement. It helps moves events along to its’ heroic close. There is no doubt that change has arrived and help those in his way.

The Art and Letters:

Matt: Timms and Lokus are bringing out the colors and putting Arthur’s power on full display. Their take on the ship Arthur is trapped on is full of detail and the background setting they are sailing on is full of powerful colors to complement it. One detail that stands out is that Jon and Rex have a new weapon for Aquaman that rather than a trident is now a sword. How they show him using it are some of my favorite sequences. A standout detail more so is the water that almost comes off of the page in a 3D manner despite the background being blue itself. Dave is bringing power to Arthur’s voice through his ability to letter making it weave throughout the water as well.

Ken: Timms and Lokus start of the chapter with a solid throwback moment. The full page image of Mera conveys a calming point. It doesn’t last as Curry’s current situation finds him soon enough. Timms’ attention to detail of the Pirate ship is impressive. It’s upstaged by a full page image of Aquaman’s escape. Heading into uncharted water only amplifies the action.

Readers watch as Aquaman takes events up a few levels. Timms throws in a fresh dynamic with each panel. An equalizer is given a full page spotlight. It quickly becomes a prelude for the battle forthcoming. The art team gifts a gorgeous two page splash of business being handled. It ushers in the closing pages. There is a turning point playing out. This comes to a head with the final image. There’s no way readers are going to be able to handle waiting for the next chapter to drop!

Final Thoughts: 9.3/10

Matt: 9.3/10 . This has been an extremely fun series. Aquaman is full of power and the lore the team pulls from is both deep cuts and adding to the mythos. There are subtle plot threads woven in which keep me excited. I can’t wait to see where this story continues to go.

KEN: 9.3/10. Arthur Curry’s adventure into the unknown takes a thrilling turn in this chapter. Adams continues to set a high benchmark with the writing. Timms and the art team deliver big action as the King claims his new turf. This book is making a serious claim for “Best Superhero Series” at the LCS!  CLICK HERE FOR MORE CONTENT FROM KEN