Aquaman #2, by DC Comics on 2/12/25, finds Arthur Curry in a desolate world where the connection to the Blue has been cut off, and the parasites will take water from any source, including the living.
When we last left the King of Atlantis in Aquaman #1, Arthur Curry was called away from his mundane duties to stop an attack of a Kaiju-sized water monster near the coast of a Drylander city. Arthur defeated the beast, but he soon realized the monster was a distraction to pull Arthur away from Atlantis. When Arthur returned, his city was destroyed and all inhabitants were gone. Arthur sought magical help from the Justice League, which led him to an ancient portal under the sea that took him to parts unknown.Plot Synopsis
Aquaman #2 begins with Arthur Curry emerging from the mud on a distant world after leaping through the Omega-shaped portal at the end of issue #1. His people are nowhere in sight, but he sees shipwrecks and debris strewn about as if the land he now stands on used to be an ocean or riverbed gone dry.
In the distance, a large lizard approaches, ridden by a group of troll-sized amphibian men. They order Arthur to surrender on behalf of their mistress. Arthur uses his new hydrokinetic abilities to blind the amphibian men with the nearby mud, giving him a distraction to beat their giant lizard with his super strength.
Arthur rides the lizard back to its source with the amphibian men trussed in vines. He arrives at a large, makeshift castle built of debris. Inside, he meets Jenny Greenteeth, the mistress who sent the amphibian men to capture Arthur. She magically subdues Arthur with strangleweed and sends him down to a pit with a cistern designed to collect blood from her captors. The only other being still alive in the collection chamber is an older, bearded man who "saw" Arthur's arrival and his ability to wield water. He encourages Arthur to manipulate the blood in the water in the collection cistern below them to create constructs that will cut their bonds and free them.
Arthur succeeds in freeing himself and his new ally, rises to the upper chamber, and uses the blood constructs inside Jenny to remove the parasite controlling her. The issue ends with the surprising identity of Arthur's ally, a prophecy foretelling Arthur's arrival, and the name of a Lovecraftian horror.
First Impressions
I love what Jeremy Adams is doing in Aquaman #2, but I can foresee not everyone will be sold on the direction. Adams takes a kingly approach with Arthur by drawing from an Old World tone and feeling that makes it read more like a European legend than a typical superhero comic. That's not a bad thing, but for some readers, it may not be what you're used to for an Aquaman story.
How’s the Art?
John Timms's artwork is phenomenal. The antagonist, Jenny Greenteeth, complements the Arthurian nature of the story (think of Meg Mucklebones from Ridley Scott's Legend (1985)), Arthur's hydrokinetic power displays are cool, made cooler by his newfound use of "Bloodbending," and the visual impact of the alien setting enhances the atmosphere of the story.
What’s great about Aquaman #2?
Adams is, as kids today would say, cooking. All the foundational pieces of storytelling are front and center, such as the journey and challenges. Adams adds an unexpected twist to this hero's journey with parallels to epic poems. Plus, the Lovecraft reference is an attention-grabber.
What’s not great about Aquaman #2?
Admittedly, Adams's script is so far afield from what you'd expect in an Aquaman comic that newer readers may be lost or unsure of what's happening. To be blunt, the story might be too weird.
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 #2 is a weird epic, in the classical sense, that pits Arthur against monsters, trolls, and evil queens. Jeremy Adams draws inspiration from a myriad of legends for a fascinating and intriguing tale, and John Timms's art looks gorgeous.
9/10
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It isn't too weird for me, but it IS boring sadly. I feel like this story has been done before and isn't interesting enough to merit another redo unless something truly well written and well thought out happens that is a nice hook. So far it's very routine and simple. Most of the issue was fight scenes anyway and with just Arthur till others showed up and it got minutely more interesting. However even when Arthur is alone there isn't a lot in his thoughts to grab the reader's attention. I didn't find it epic or really mythical, it has to set a more historical accurate tone for that and so far it just feels too modern to be taken seriously in that sense the way for example the back up story of Dark Knights of Steel All Winter that Taylor wrote was taken. ( which was actually a similar idea about Arthur done way better)
ReplyDeleteCorrection: Dark Knights of Steel Heir to The Sea (2024) by Taylor is the correct title for the short story not Allwinter, wrong name.
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