Emperor Aquaman #20 brings about an epic battle as Arthur’s connection to the Blue has been a gift and a curse, as it has now brought about the wrath of Poseidon himself! The duo battle not only for the power of the Blue but for control of the Oceans. Will they be able to settle their differences, or will the universe become their battleground?
Creative Team: Jeremy Adams, John Timms, Rex Lokus, and Dave Sharpe.
The Story:
Jeremy continues to build up the mythos of Arthur and break every stigma Aquaman has ever faced. You can tell he is having a blast writing this character, and each issue brings us something new with Arthur and his legacy. Poseidon feels possessed in a sense in this issue, and I love how Jeremy makes it seem as though the God intends to protect the power Arthur is wielding, but as the battle rages on, his true selfish intentions become clearer and clearer. I will say I am eager to see Black Manta and Arthur go head to head, and after this issue, I am extremely curious as to how Manta can hold his own. It’s Adams’s ability to keep us hanging and guessing that makes this run continue to get better and better.
The Art:
It has been an excellent week at DC Comics and their cover work because Timms cover for this issue might just be my favorite of the series to date! The stellar work carries over into the pages as his ability to wrap the water around Arthur and Poseidon. The water feels like it is its own character at times with how powerful Timms draws it. Lokus has beautiful coloring in these pages as well. The blackness of Poseidons eyes seem to grow darker as the fight rages on and the various shades of blue give life to the setting. One aspect that really stood out to me was Sharpe’s lettering. He matched the powerful boom and tone of voice for our God of the Sea and every word felt powerful and mighty. It set the tone from the first page setting us up for this battle.
Final Thoughts:
Emperor Aquaman #20 gives us a good old fashioned fight from start to finish. However, this issue isn’t simply a fight for the sake of a fight as it delivers a powerful lesson and continues to grow the mythos of Arthur Curry. From the beautiful cover down to the last page this book is a lot of fun and gorgeous making it a standout for the entire run!
Overall Grade: 10/10
How do you feel about Emperor Aquaman #20? Let us know below and make sure to check out more by Matt!
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