Aquaman #1, by DC Comics on 1/8/25, finds the King of Atlantis returned to his throne with a new ability, but his troubles are just beginning when Atlantis mysteriously disappears.
Is Aquaman #1 Good?
Plot Synopsis
Aquaman #1 begins with a rescue scene. A plane headed for Metropolis experiences engine failure over the ocean. Aquaman heeds the call and rescues the plane by summoning a column of water to "catch" the plane. We learn through his dialog with Mera, his wife and Queen, that Aquaman received Mera's hydrokinetic powers in the aftermath of the Absolute Power event.
Later, Aquaman returns to Atlantis to fulfill his kingly duties, whether he likes it or not. As a man of action, Aquaman isn't fond of endless meetings and settling political squabbles, so he takes any opportunity he can to excuse himself from the administrative trappings of a King. The new mystery brought to his attention is an unusual pearl (the size of a basketball) found by Jackson Hyde and Garth. The pearl has magical properties that bear further study (see Flashpoint Beyond #1, The Flash #785, and Batman: Brave and the Bold #18 for background on the pearl).
Aquaman puts the mystery aside to return to his monotonous schedule. During a meeting with nobles, Aquaman receives word about an attack on Daytona Beach, Florida. When the King of Atlantis arrives, he finds a Kaiju-sized water construct attacking the shoreline. After a brief fight, Aquaman uses his new water powers to dispel the creature, but there's no clue as to its origin or objective. Suddenly, he hears Mera's voice call to him from Atlantis, and he races off. When he arrives, Atlantis is in ruins, its inhabitants are gone, and the only thing remaining is the pearl, now humming.
Our hero quickly takes the pearl to the Watchtower for help. Zatanna deduces the pearl comes from ancient magic, but she can't see past its defenses. However, Zatanna detects a similar magical vibration under the ocean, so Aquaman, Batman, and Wonder Woman quickly depart to investigate.
The issue concludes with an ancient symbol where none should be, a key that opens a door, and the call to adventure.
First Impressions
Yep, Aquaman #1 is a winner. Jeremy Adams brings the King of Atlantis back to the forefront with a premier issue that tells you everything you need to know about the character and sets up a cool adventure. It's not a perfect issue (more on that in a minute), but the flaws pale in comparison to the positives.
How’s the Art?
John Timms pulls out all the stops to deliver an Aquaman comic that has all the hallmarks of a tried and true DC house style. Timms's figure work and costume designs look great (even Jackson Hyde gets a positive tweak), the superhero action feels big and fantastical, and the dramatic moments hit hard. Visually, this issue feels like a return to the New-52 era.
What’s great about Aquaman #1?
At the risk of sounding like a backhanded compliment, Jeremy Adams presents a banger of an issue because he does what so few writers at either DC or Marvel are willing or able to do - he builds a rock-solid foundation with a cool hook.
If you know nothing about Aquaman, this issue tells new readers everything they need to know about his powers, personality, and situation. You'll understand the conflict, Aquaman's objective, and the gravity of the stakes without stating them outright. Plus, Jeremy Adams wraps all of that pristine foundation in great pacing and pitch-perfect dialog, ending on a super-intriguing cliffhanger. You can't ask for much more than that.
What’s not great about Aquaman #1?
The one downside, which may or may not be a downside for experienced DC readers, is the amount of backstory knowledge needed for the mystery to hit hard. You have to sort through multiple issues across multiple titles to understand the significance of the pearl, and the cliffhanger probably owes its significance to the DC All-In Special #1, which casual readers may or may not know.
In fairness, Adams is one of the few DC writers working who takes the spider web of continuity from recent years and is able to bring it all together in a cohesive narrative (see the current Green Lantern ongoing for an example), so we'll see if he can turn lemons into lemonade once again.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Aquaman #1 is an impressive start for the return of the King of Atlantis. Jeremy Adams brings Aquaman back to prominence with an inaugural issue built on a rock-solid foundation, an intriguing mystery, and a banger of a cliffhanger. Couple Adams's pristine script with killer art by John Timms, and you get a winner.
9/10
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