manuelte's review against another edition
4.0
Aquaman continues to have its universe expanded. First we established The trench, we have finally expanded on where Mera comes from, and we got the backstory of Atlantis and its first king Atlan. On this volume DC is giving Aquaman the treatment Green Lantern got with Geoff Johns: expanding on the underwater world and introducing us to the seven kingdoms to echo the seven seas. Overall very entertaining.
daybreak's review against another edition
5.0
Ok I'm pissed right now! It seems the French publishers of Aquaman have decided to completely put aside the Atlantis vs Surface storyline!? I was really confused at the start of the 3rd French volume because last I remembered was Aquaman finding Vulko and now suddenly he's a traitor and what not. I just assumed all these went down in the Justice League comics but nah, the french editions just decided to skip issues 14 to 16. Why???
Anyway, after the confusing start, I very much enjoyed this volume. Wow did I like this.
There is a perfectly balanced mix of politics, character development and plot.
I still like the epic feel I get from Aquaman's storyline (which I enjoyed in Vol 2). Reading this feels like an adventure.
I very much enjoyed all the characters too. Aquaman trying to be a King, having these hard choices to make was so interesting. I liked the Murk and Tula storyline too : though I don't particularly like Murk, I could understand him and appreciate his loyalty. Same for Vulko; I do understand where he is coming from. I thought the characters were very fleshed out and interesting. It was a joy to read.
I also liked the social commentaries on human nature, on destructiveness, on immigration no less (with the race mixing and all). I have to point out though, it is such a missed opportunity to have made the First king a villain : the fact that he became "mad" is definitely a cheap cop out from the very interesting division for the throne. Aside from being so convenient it is a loss opportunity! It would have been just epic if this clearly good king came back with all his head and his epic vision for his kingdom. This would have been a great chance to develop Aquaman's character : what does is he bringing to the table? what is his vision? in whay ways is he better as King than the first king? Of course, that would have been complex to treat and since this is the eponymous Aquaman comics, well Aquaman gotta be the one and only king right? Hence the very sad madness excuse.
Aside from that it was a very engrossing read with great drawings (at some points no though lol). Really liked this one! Pity I discovered the skipping of issues 14 to 16 only when I finished. Well it did not dampen my experience. Which is to say how much I enjoyed this. Now I'm off to right this error!
Anyway, after the confusing start, I very much enjoyed this volume. Wow did I like this.
There is a perfectly balanced mix of politics, character development and plot.
I still like the epic feel I get from Aquaman's storyline (which I enjoyed in Vol 2). Reading this feels like an adventure.
I very much enjoyed all the characters too. Aquaman trying to be a King, having these hard choices to make was so interesting. I liked the Murk and Tula storyline too : though I don't particularly like Murk, I could understand him and appreciate his loyalty. Same for Vulko; I do understand where he is coming from. I thought the characters were very fleshed out and interesting. It was a joy to read.
I also liked the social commentaries on human nature, on destructiveness, on immigration no less (with the race mixing and all). I have to point out though, it is such a missed opportunity to have made the First king a villain : the fact that he became "mad" is definitely a cheap cop out from the very interesting division for the throne. Aside from being so convenient it is a loss opportunity! It would have been just epic if this clearly good king came back with all his head and his epic vision for his kingdom. This would have been a great chance to develop Aquaman's character : what does is he bringing to the table? what is his vision? in whay ways is he better as King than the first king? Of course, that would have been complex to treat and since this is the eponymous Aquaman comics, well Aquaman gotta be the one and only king right? Hence the very sad madness excuse.
Aside from that it was a very engrossing read with great drawings (at some points no though lol). Really liked this one! Pity I discovered the skipping of issues 14 to 16 only when I finished. Well it did not dampen my experience. Which is to say how much I enjoyed this. Now I'm off to right this error!
apageinthestacks's review against another edition
4.0
Probably more 4.5/5ish?
Great end to Johns' Aquaman run.
Great end to Johns' Aquaman run.
blackestclovers's review against another edition
4.0
There's only one Geoff Johns. This is an amazing Aquaman story that everybody needs to read. Forget the old Aquaman, this is the one you need to pay attention to.
ineffieciency's review
3.0
Atlan actually has a backstory! It wouldn't fit in with the movie, but still, it's more than I got there.
So, should I continue past Johns' run? He does set up more good stuff but he didn't do it himself, what's the word on the next run?
So, should I continue past Johns' run? He does set up more good stuff but he didn't do it himself, what's the word on the next run?
totalhenry's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
Aquaman "Arthur" can hardly catch a break. It looks like he never will. Brining peace between Atlantis and the surface world is hard enough when the people on both sides do not completely trust him.
This volume introduces the character of Murk and he does not like Arthur. In fact, he tries to free Orm who he thinks is the one true king. I am quite tired of hearing that. If that is not bad enough, the first king of Atlantis, Atlan, wakes up and takes over Atlantis.
As for characters, Urn was very cool and I was sad that he was killed off.
I quite liked the conclusion to Geoff Johns run. The truth about Arthur's past is surprising but in a way shows that your ancestors do not define who you are as a person.
The art was nice. I mean look at the 1 page spreads!
It felt right when Mera takes the throne with Arthur, they are so cute together.
Though, I don't get why she runs away at first when he says he will be happy with her. It felt dramatic for Mera, who is always calm and collected.
This volume introduces the character of Murk and he does not like Arthur. In fact, he tries to free Orm who he thinks is the one true king. I am quite tired of hearing that. If that is not bad enough, the first king of Atlantis, Atlan, wakes up and takes over Atlantis.
As for characters, Urn was very cool and I was sad that he was killed off.
I quite liked the conclusion to Geoff Johns run. The truth about Arthur's past is surprising but in a way shows that your ancestors do not define who you are as a person.
The art was nice. I mean look at the 1 page spreads!
It felt right when Mera takes the throne with Arthur, they are so cute together.
Though, I don't get why she runs away at first when he says he will be happy with her. It felt dramatic for Mera, who is always calm and collected.
johnawickline's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lukeisthename34's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly do not think I could like this series more. Johns takes another character to the next level in all of these volumes. While I've always liked the idea of Aquaman, the execution has always been clumsy if not outright silly. Johns understands the depth (pun not intended) of possibilities that a society created underwater could mean. The sheer expanse of the oceans means a nearly infinite world of history, stories, horror, alliances and potential. He makes the setting itself the central part of Arthur's world and that means almost everything we see is new. Well drawn, perfectly written and just a treat.
sherpawhale's review against another edition
4.0
End felt a bit rushed, but it's Johns - wish he could have stayed on for another 5 years.