DC Rebirth #1

The DC Rebirth is here, and (most of) the old gang is here! Most importantly, we find Aquaman and Mera at a special location for a very special reason:

Great Neptune, it's great seeing our heroes drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, again, if only for two (and a bit) pages. And we get to see a moment that DC told us was not in the history of the New 52 versions: Arthur and Mera getting married!

The end of the book features a series of one-page ads for new titles, and Aquaman #1 is there--as he should be!

Justice League #36 - Jan. 2015

"The Amazo Virus, Chapter One: Quarantined" by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, and Brad Anderson.

After Aquaman kicking some butt in the last issue of Justice League, I picked up this week's to see what happened next. Unfortunately, as this issue picks up the story, Aquaman is down for the count for the whole thing!

This issue focuses on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Luthor trying to deal with the Amazo virus, and the Sea King never gets off the mat. Oh well. Disappointed to be sure, but nothing new: no matter what DC universe, Aquaman spends a lot of time in a hospital bed:

Justice League #35 - Dec. 2014

"The Amazo Virus" by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, Ivan Reis, and more.

This issue of Justice League opens with the newly-reformed (yeah, right) Lex Luthor talking about how to make the world a better place, and taking inspiration from its heroes:

Of course, all this good cheer from Luthor doesn't fool the Justice League, who are on patrol across the city, both in their civilian identities and (in Aquaman's case) right out in the open. As Bruce Wayne and Lex engage in a tense conversation, Aquaman spots a mysterious figure on a rooftop. The figure jumps, landing on the LexCorp building, and it's revealed to be the supervillain Neutron, who has been hired--blackmailed--for this mission: kill Lex Luthor!

As The Flash and Cyborg help evacuate the building, the Sea King steps in--er, drops in:

Neutron blasts through a wall, leaving Lex looking ashen. Bruce wants to know what's happened, but we see what it is: the "Amazo Virus" is loose! To be continued!

I totally dug Aquaman standing on a rooftop, making like Batman, guarding over the city, trident in hand. Geoff Johns' love of the Sea King shines through in moments like this, where he is able to place Aquaman in situations other writers would not, because he doesn't see him as so tethered to bodies of water (though we get that too). And then to get that full page shot of him taking it to Neutron? Outrageous!

Aquaman (Vol.8) #25 - Jan. 2014

"Death of A King Chapter Seven: Baptism of Fire" by Geoff Johns, Paul Pelltier, Sean Parsons, and Rod Reis.

Aquaman and Vulko, off the coast of Spain:

Buried beneath billions of dollars of underwater loot is an even greater treasure: the Scepter that once belonged to the Dead King. With it, Aquaman launches his plan, which involves commanding the lost sect of Atlanteans now known as The Trench!

Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Nereus chafes under total, unquestioned allegiance demanded by the Dead King. Nereus' would-be wife, Mera, is stuck in a prison cell, kept from all water, lest she use it to kill her jailers and escape (something she has repeatedly tried over the last six months). Nereus comes to talk to her, and together they heard a far away rumble:

Aquaman quickly makes peace with Tula and Swat, and acknowledges that he has not been the best leader. He attacks the Dead King by himself, causing the King to see that the people of Atlantis have turned on him.

Realizing he has lost this battle, he decides to destroy everything by using the magic scepter to crack the ground Atlantis rests on open, but this time Aquaman is there to stop him:

Aquaman and the Dead King's battle rages, causing a mass conflagration. There's so much smoke and fire that Mera can't tell if Arthur has survived, but of course he has. He emerges, the heat have reduced the Dead King to ashes, reclaims his trident, and stands before his people once again, with Mera at his side.

A short time later, Aquaman and Mera discuss their plans. Aquaman says he is going to re-take the throne, and finally be the king Atlantis deserves and needs. Mera is convinced this is a mistake, and tells Arthur she can't join him. Later, in Amnesty Bay, she picks up Salty from her friend Jenny (seen back in Aquaman #6), who offers her dogsitting services if Mera needs to leave town again.

Cut to Aquaman on the throne, joined by his queen:

She takes Aquaman's hand, and only makes one request "Just shave the beard":

...The Adventure Continues!

There's a brief post script, showing that the now-loose Orm has been staying with the woman he rescued in his Villains Month solo shot. Nereus shows up at their front door, ready to pledge allegiance, and he has a plan for rule. To be continued!


Of course, the big event surrounding this issue is that it is Geoff Johns' last as regular series writer. While I haven't always been thrilled at the turns the book took in the last year or so, there is simply no arguing that Johns' run at stewarding the King of the Seven Seas is one of the most influential in the characters' 70-year history. Sure, others have done just as legendary, enduring work--Steve Skeates, Jim Aparo, Nick Cardy, Peter David, to name a few--but I can't think of anyone who did more with Aquaman than Geoff Johns, in terms of where he found the character, and where he left him when his time was done. Even if you weren't a particular fan of Johns' work on Aquaman, you can't argue about the results.


Looking towards the future, I for one would be perfectly happy if, on page one of Aquaman #26, new writer Jeff Parker has Aquaman say, "You know what? I changed my mind about this whole Atlantis thing, let's go back to Amnesty Bay Mera" and they leave the troubled continent behind for good. I feel like Johns (and the art team of Reis/Prado/Reis, of course) were operating on full thrusters in the first year or so of the book, so I'm still a little puzzled as to why he felt the need to drag him back into Atlantean politics. But this issue ended with what I wanted more than anything else--Aquaman and Mera, reunited and happy. Let's hope they get a few months to enjoy it!

Art-wise, I feel like this is Paul Pelletier and Sean Parsons' best issue on the title yet; they delivered a couple of real ka-pow moments which helped punctuate the action at just the right times. And am I crazy, or is Pelletier consciously channeling Aquaman's New 52 debut in Justice League #4 on page 13 of this issue?

In any case, they (and colorist Rod Reis, of course) delivered the goods with this issue, rising to the historic occasion. I can't wait to see what they do with incoming Jeff Parker!

Back when the Shrine was first launched in 2006, Aquaman was in about as bad a place as he could have been, DCU-wise. The classic character we knew and loved had been replaced, with that version just a few months away from cancellation. Arthur Curry would be considered dead, his body literally scattered across the seven seas. It took someone of Geoff Johns' fanboy enthusiasm and industry clout to grab this character and show DC just how much potential was there in Aquaman. And, as we all knew, there was a lot.

Our Top 10 Favorite Aquaman Moments from Geoff Johns

Today is the release of Aquaman #25, Geoff Johns' swan song on the title. Johns' influence on the Sea King and his world cannot be overstated, so as we promised on November 11, today we present the man's Top 10 Aquaman moments, as picked by you! So without further ado:

10. "Hello, Old Friend" • Aquaman #19
 

9. "Gotham Central" • Aquaman #15

8."Aquaman Puts A Lid On The Trench" • Aquaman #4

7. "Sea World" • Aquaman #17

6. "Starting Over" • Aquaman #1

5. "Jaws" • Aquaman #0

4. "Heavy Is The Head" • Justice League #17


3. "Tempest" • Aquaman #7

2. "Don't Be Like The Rest of the World" • Aquaman #13

...and finally, by a fair fathom, most Aqua-Fans' favorite Geoff Johns' moment with the New 52 Aquaman was right at the beginning:

 1. "Bank Job" • Aquaman #1

Most Aqua-Fans found this opening so exciting, so promising, and so anti-everything that had come before that it signaled that this truly was going to be a new era for Aquaman. And so it was!

Thanks to everyone for participating, sending in suggestions and ideas. And of course thanks to Geoff Johns, who helped bring Aquaman back from the dead (literally) and re-install him as a main pillar of the DC Universe. His work ensures he will be part of the pantheon of Great Aquaman Creators, joining legends like Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo, Steve Skeates, Neal Pozner, and others. And that's good company to be in.

Nice job Geoff--all us Aqua-Fans owe you a big thanks!

Post Script: Did your favorite moment not appear on this list? We got dozens and dozens of submissions, so if there's an Aqua-Moment from Geoff Johns you think deserves an Honorable Mention, leave it here in the comments!

The Shrine's Favorite Moments from Geoff Johns' Aquaman

As you may have heard, writer Geoff Johns concludes his New 52 Aquaman run with this month's extra-sized #25. To commemorate his epic take on the adventures of Arthur Curry and Co., the Shrine is putting together a Top 10 List--and we need your help! Please post your favorite Aqua-Moment(s) from Johns' run in the comments section here, on Facebook, or via Twitter and we'll publish the official list on November 27th to coincide with #25's release.

For our purposes "a moment" can be any particular panel, splash page or series of panels depicting a singular occurrence (like Aquaman falling into the desert from Aquaman #5) so try to avoid big generalizations like "The introduction of The Others." Because it was an extension of Aquaman's own title, feel free to choose moments from the "Throne of Atlantis" Justice League issues as well. Aquaman punching Superman for a loop, anyone?

Deadline for submissions is Friday November 22 so get out those back issues and start reading!

Aquaman (Vol.8) #24 - Dec. 2013

"Death of A King Chapter Six: Secret of the Seven Seas" by Geoff Johns, Paul Pelltier, Sean Parsons, and Rod Reis.

Aquaman is finally back! It felt like forever!

This opens with a recap of how Aquaman's parents met, and what his future was supposed to be:

...but of course, we know that's not what happened. Aquaman is currently in a small tent with Vulko, recovering from his wounds after fighting the Dead King. He is more than a little shocked to know that he has been out for six months.

Aquaman demands to know where Mera is, but Vulko tries to deflect his king's anger, instead pointing him towards a giant crevice that one stood an American research outpost (#31?). Despite all the lies Vulko has told Aquaman, he assures him that all the answers to Atlantean history--which includes the Dead King--are there.

Aquaman grabs Vulko, and together they go exploring:

Vulko tells Aquaman to take the throne, which he does. In a few moments, a sort of ice bubble forms over it, and Arthur, where via telepathy he is shown the history of Atlantis: how it's king, Atlan, had his throne usurped by his brother, Orin, leading to a bloodbath.

Atlan has his wife take their children to safety, while he stays behind to fight. After nearly being killed, he escapes to the rendevous, only to find his family dead. Leaving the city, Atlan spends years forging "six powerful talismans" (which we recognize as the weaponry of The Others), returning to Atlantis, prepared to fight to the very, very end.

Using the scepter, Atlan strikes the grounds of Atlantis, shattering the once-mighty nation into so much rubble:

Only three kingdoms of Atlantis survived, with one of them evolving into the beings known as The Trench. Aquaman awakes, bursts free of the throne, and is told the hard truth: that he is not the descendant of Atlan, who is now back for revenge, but:

...to be concluded!


I found it hard to find any of this issue plausible (if that word can even be used in this context, when talking about superhero comics) once Aquaman decides not to try and go find Mera, and instead go Goonies with Vulko. He's been separated from his wife (er, sorry, his girlfriend) for six months! The Aquaman I know would have shoved Vulko aside, jumped into the water, climbed a whale if he was feeling weak, and headed back to the triangle to find her.

It seems as though that Geoff Johns is setting the stage for incoming writer Jeff Parker, in that Aquaman will no longer be tied to the Atlantean throne. And for that I say: huzzah! Johns and Co. hit the ground running with this series, returning Aquaman and Mera to full-on Superhero Mode, something I had hoped would be the main thrust of the book. That was not to be, so now that we know that Aquaman will not have any reason to be involved with Atlantis, he can go find Mera, head back to Amnesty Bay, feed Salty, and get back to being capital-s Superheroes!

Art-wise, I think this is Paul Pelletier and Sean Parsons' best issue yet, aided wonderfully (as always) colorist Rod Reis; I love the sepia tones on the flashback pages, and the Shazam-esque Atlantean throne room is truly impressive. I hope they stay on the book for a while, and really get a chance (with Jeff Parker) to kick off an exciting new era for Aquaman.