AQUAMAN #3

Review by: TheNextChampion

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Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Size: 0 pages
Price: 2.99

If your life leads you with questions/
Seek advice from under the sea/
Dear Aquaman, Dear Aquaman/
Please give your advice to me, Aquaman!

So far, I’ve had very little complaints when it comes to DC reducing their page count to twenty. Only once did I really notice that an extra two pages felt needed to make the issue end smoother. So I guess you can assume from this introducing on just where I am going with this review.

For the most part, this was another solid and enjoyable issue by Geoff Johns. Aquaman is slowly becoming one of the most badass superheroes and I never thought I would live to see the day. Here we have a huge fight scene involving Aquaman and Mera fighting ‘The Trench’. While the other half deals with understand just what these creatures are from a shady individual from Arthur’s past. The former is fast and fun and it’s nice to see how Aquaman can do more then just use his obvious powers to fight these things. Although it is a bit ridiculous that the cops and military still won’t take the two seriously considering they held their own pretty well compared to them. The problem arises once we get to the second half of the issue. While nothing is wrong with it in a writing process, the technical side of it was disappointing. If Johns had an extra page or two he could explain just who Dr. Shin is. Even if he isn’t someone from the Golden Age of Aquaman, just slightly referring that he tried to kill Arthur just wasn’t enough to see him more then a macguffin to learn about The Trench. I’m sure Johns has more in store for him, but for now it was a little lame. Also, the book does just abruptly ends with no dramatics at all to keep interest. I still want to buy this book, but Johns gives no hook on why I should.

The art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis? Still the best thing about this series in my eyes. Every page is gorgeous to look at whether it’s a fight against The Trench or the talking heads sequence with Dr. Shin. There’s a lot of little details from the constant bleeding from Aquaman’s shoulder to ripples in the ocean. It’s basically what you will expect from a comic by these guys at this point. I do want to take notice on the brilliant opening page by everyone involved. Ivan Reis changes his style to show us it’s a flashback and Prado inks it perfectly; while Rod Reis actually goes to a painted style to make it even more obvious. It’s a nice touch that adds a lot to an already gorgeous looking book.

Let me be clear that I did enjoy this issue for the most part. Aquaman and Mera are now the badasses of the DCU and their fight with The Trench was fun to read. But the introducing to Dr. Shin and the abrupt ending sullied what could have been a 5-star issue. The art by both Reis and Prado though is still worth a five in my book. It’s a solid issue but it’s marred by it’s technical shortcomings. Hopefully the lack of two extra pages wouldn’t be so noticeable the next time round.

Please give your advice to me, Aquaman!

Story: 3 - Good
Art: 5 - Excellent

Comments

  1. I’m enjoying this title, but you are on to something concerning Dr. Shin. Why does Aquaman have to seek Shin’s advice at all, considering that Shin is an old enemy? Aren’t there many experts Aquaman could consult at Aquariums and universities all around the world?

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