Aquaman #57 Review

Water Baby

Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 19, 2020


Overall, I have enjoyed Kelly Sue DeConnick's run on Aquaman enough to keep reading and reviewing it.  How's that for an endorsement?!?  I did enjoy it more at the beginning, but I won't blame her for the Year of the Villain stuff since I have no idea who to blame for that.  So, now that we have left Manta and his AI daddy behind, how is the book?  Let's find out...


We pick up the story with a little narration recap that reminds the reader of Mera's efforts against Manta and where that left her... passed out on the shores of Amnesty Bay!  Well, almost passed out as she responds the Arthur and while it's a tense scene, it's nice to see these two love birds (fish) getting along.  It's odd such a distressful scene could give me the feels, but it did.  Not really for what is going on specifically here, but that it's part of what DC promised us at the beginning of Rebirth, and we just haven't gotten much of it since.

Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Dolphin is in the house (or hospital), and it's nice to see her again.  Murk is up next, but it's all to make way for Mera, and it seems like the Aquababy is getting ready to come out of the oven!  Now, Kelly Sue has already made a point that Xebellian's have different physiology, so when they say the baby is only at five months, I didn't know how to react.  

It seems like the big reaction is left to Arthur, who kind of freaks out when Vulko tells everyone that he is still Mera's "official" fiance. While that's being sorted out, another big name joins the party.  It's a family affair, and he's brought friends along.  Before becoming a full-out battle royale, the Doctor puts an end to it, but also has a little good news/bad news bit.  It all ends with a cliffhanger that's not setting up anything for shock value or even to set up the next issue, but to enjoy for its own sake. 

This issue was a quick read, and its value is all on the last page.  The art is good throughout, and while I wish that the final image was a bit more zoomed in and detailed, it's the feels that count.  Sure, I would have liked everyone to be able to enjoy what's going on, but I'll take this as the "hope and love" we were supposed to get for years.

Bits and Pieces:

I like what we got at the end of this issue, but it's up to you to decide if one page a good comic makes.  That might be a little harsh, but everything else leads up to the cliffhanger and doesn't spend too much time getting there.  I am excited to see what comes next, though I wish all of the concerned parties were along for the swim.

6.5/10