Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The New 52 Review: AQUAMAN #1

"Aquatease"

AQUAMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Rod Reis
LETTERS: Nick J. Napolitano
32pp, Color, $2.99

Aquaman is a DC Comics superhero created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger. Aquaman debuted in More Fun Comics #73 (cover date November 1941) and, for the better part of two decades, was the star of backup features in DC’s anthology titles. Beginning in Adventure Comics #260 (cover date May 1959), the character was given an origin story, new powers, and a supporting cast.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Aquaman returns in a new self-titled comic book series. In Aquaman #1 (“The Trench” Part One), Aquaman returns to the public eye, but people still consider him a joke and/or are very curious about him. Meanwhile, trouble rises from the ocean depths.

What can I say about Aquaman #1? It’s all tease and setup. The art is nice, although the coloring is a bit garish. Writer Geoff Johns spends most of this issue dealing with how fans perceive Aquaman, addressing that through peripheral characters who mock (cops, restaurant patrons) or question (the self-appointed journalist blogger) Aquaman. How Aquaman’s powers work or his status in Atlantis is really fanboy stuff. The real conflict and dramatic tension will come from the invasion, and that’s pushed off for another issue. Of course, that’s how it works in padded, write-for-the-trades land.  This is not a first issue; it's a "#0" issue.

C+

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