As someone who DC’s new 52 has successfully drawn back into comics after a long break, I had a pretty good iea of just how terrible Aquaman has been over many many years. I never had an opportunity to read, nor was even aware of Blackest Night or Brightest Day, so for me Aquaman was the one character out of the entire lineup that I had the lowest expectations for and so it was a complete surprise when I put down this one and immediately felt the draw to read it again.

This is quite possibly the best #1 I’ve read so far and the most humane. The decision to break from introductions using inner dialogue was a brilliant move and something that should have been replicated in the other #1s. Johns lets Aquaman’s responses to the environment tell his story and you learn more about his character than you ever would from him fighting a villain.

In particular, the scene where he pays for his meal with the 2 gold coins so that the waitresses children can attend college stands above any scene I’ve read in the entire lineup in terms of meaning. Too often comics take a bad rap for being too focused on action, fighting, and a black and white portrayal of good and evil. This single action shows a character and a story that perhaps will go beyond that.

Thank you Mr. Johns. I look forward to the future issues.