Aquaman #65 Review

 

Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick

Artist: Miguel Mendonca

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 18, 2020

I am sad to see Kelly Sue Deconnick's run on Aquaman come to an end.  I have enjoyed her take on Arthur, but have that nagging feeling that we could have gotten so much more.  Still, she has given us baby Andy and maybe even more by the end of this issue.  I will stop hinting at stuff and get to my review of Aquaman #65!

The issue opens with Arthur calling out for help after Orm stabbed him at the end of the last issue.  I talked to a few people, and we all had guesses of who would show up, and I think we all won because everyone shows up!  It's a memorable scene that shows how loved Aquaman is, but it is a repeat of the scene when Andy went missing, with very similar narration.  While I still liked the scene, it pointed out the biggest flaw of this issue - things get forced to a conclusion big time!

While his gathered army of family and friends brought a smile to my face, I wondered how he healed from Orm's attack.  While I loved seeing Arthur punch Ocean Master in the chops, I was scratching my head, wondering why we even bothered with the Vulko/Mera sham wedding and didn't just have Orm invade Atlantis in the first place.  There were a couple of other things left hanging by the end, but Deconnick tied up some of the more character-centric issues like redeeming Pilot, Lernaea, and Dagon as well.  

Kelly Sue continues the issue with some fanservice moments to reward readers of the run, and any time we get Andy, I can't stop smiling, but finally getting her with her Mom and Dad did get me in the feels!  By the way, as a father of five boys, cereal is great for every meal!  Then we get to the ending, which was pretty much perfect for this run, which was more subtle and sweet than over the top and in your face.  

It's hard not to love this issue, and while I did, there were still things that brought my score down a bit.  Kelly Sue did rush things a bit, and while it's understandable since it was her final issue, it's a shame that some of the more setup things got pushed aside.  Still, the art was good, and the big moments easily outweighed the rushed ones, and if you have liked Deconnick's run, you will like this issue.  You may even love it!

Bits and Pieces:

While Kelly Sue DeConnick needed to rush things to end her run on Aquaman, I think most fans will be smiling by the end.  Some may even shed a tear or two.  Not me, though.  I just got something in my eye!

8.0/10