REVIEW: "Aquaman" #12

[CBR News]

Doug Zawisza gives "Aquaman" #12 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado 4 stars, saying every page is "an outstanding piece of art with stunning detail and crisp storytelling."


Full article here.

[mcgarrett11]

I agree that Reis' artwork was even more stunning than usual, and was the chief contributor to the issue's quality. However, the story was severely lacking, as it seemed to pad and drag this story out further for no reason. This issue was really nothing more than one big fight scene with some moments of exposition thrown in for good measure, but the story barely advanced at all. I'm also concerned about the characterization of Arthur. What drew me to this book was how he was depicted in the first arc as a somewhat sensitive, introspective guy and how he related to the people and surface world around him. His humanity made him very interesting. However, lately he is being portrayed as a big ball of rage and fury, which has been done so many times before in previous incarnations that I'm bored by it. I hope Johns gets back to portraying him as he did when the book launched, otherwise I will be dropping this when Reis leaves.

[Wolf_Leader]

I'm also concerned about the characterization of Arthur. What drew me to this book was how he was depicted in the first arc as a somewhat sensitive, introspective guy and how he related to the people and surface world around him. His humanity made him very interesting.

I get the feeling things kind of shifted to line up with the Big Events coming out of Justice League. I thought the trench arc was a little long and this one has definitely run out of steam. This book needs a lot more story up front and to let the world building happen in the background.

[ChristianP]

The trench storyline was just right at 4 issues imo. This one could have been slightly more compressed and ended this issue, or possibly even last issue.

[CrazyOldHermit]

Another mediocre issue in what has turned out to be a mediocre series. I'm giving up after this arc ends and I'm not coming back until Johns is gone.

[Mr. Holmes]

Another mediocre issue in what has turned out to be a mediocre series. I'm giving up after this arc ends and I'm not coming back until Johns is gone.

Word on the street is that should be pretty soon.

[CrazyOldHermit]

Word on the street is that should be pretty soon.

Yeah, now I'm stuck with a choice: Do I finish out the rest of Johns' run (assuming that it is ending within the next six months) or do I drop out at the end of this arc?

[Ed Love]

The trench storyline was just right at 4 issues imo. This one could have been slightly more compressed and ended this issue, or possibly even last issue.

Except that the Trench storyline isn't really over. That was just Act 1 for what is really one long story. It's purpose was to introduce the plotline and mysteries that have been fueling the title for the past year. As a story in and of itself, it would be a little unsatisfying since all it did was raise questions, not answer any.

[CrazyOldHermit]

Except that the Trench storyline isn't really over. That was just Act 1 for what is really one long story. It's purpose was to introduce the plotline and mysteries that have been fueling the title for the past year. As a story in and of itself, it would be a little unsatisfying since all it did was raise questions, not answer any.

The Trench story is definitely over. That was a three issue story arc with a beginning, middle and end. If the creatures from the Trench do return then it'll be another Trench storyline.

[Ed Love]

Many books and stories have opening chapters and prologues that follow basic storytelling structure. Clive Cussler does it all the time. What keeps it from being a separate story though is how it's used and the importance to the larger story being told. In this case, The Trench is a very basic and simple story that is used not only to introduce the protagonists of the book but to introduce the plot elements, themes and mysteries that will drive the larger story. In this case, it's the artifacts, the ties to ancient Atlantis and the mystery behind its sinking as well as introducing us to Dr. Shin and the mystery of his personally antagonistic relationship with Arthur. In very key ways, The Trench not only doesn't stand alone but is necessarily linked to the issues that followed as they all are following up on questions it brought forth (with pretty much the exception of Mera's solo issue that so far is a non sequitur to everything else and will probably be more akin to a subplot, achieving dominance at a later point).

[CrazyOldHermit]

Many books and stories have opening chapters and prologues that follow basic storytelling structure. Clive Cussler does it all the time. What keeps it from being a separate story though is how it's used and the importance to the larger story being told. In this case, The Trench is a very basic and simple story that is used not only to introduce the protagonists of the book but to introduce the plot elements, themes and mysteries that will drive the larger story. In this case, it's the artifacts, the ties to ancient Atlantis and the mystery behind its sinking as well as introducing us to Dr. Shin and the mystery of his personally antagonistic relationship with Arthur. In very key ways, The Trench not only doesn't stand alone but is necessarily linked to the issues that followed as they all are following up on questions it brought forth (with pretty much the exception of Mera's solo issue that so far is a non sequitur to everything else and will probably be more akin to a subplot, achieving dominance at a later point).

This is true, but I think those elements introduced aren't really part of the "Trench" story as much as they are part of the larger story of the entire run, they just happened to occur within that story arc.

[josh straightedge]

Isn't Johns gone at 16 or something like that? Me personally, I would stick it out and hope for a good ending to end this run on a high note. This book started off so strong and now...I just don't really dig it all that much anymore.

[Mr_Wayne]

It's because Johns is spending too much time making Aquaman a bad@$$ instead of making him a good character. Every issue he's scowling and angry and we never really get a distinct understanding as to why he's so mad. Anyway, the book isn't that bad but it's not really that good either. I think Johns should stop spreading himself thin and pass duties off to other creators. His lack of story telling ability is really starting to show.

[Mr_Wayne]

By the way, how long have comments been back on reviews?

[ChristianP]

Also, speaking about Aquaman, and how Johns is leaving after 16:
Rumor has it that Lemire is taking over, largely because he said on Twitter he would be writing a new, major character in the DCU, and strongly implied it was a JL member. Morrison is also leaving Action Comics at the same time, but I think it is much more likely for Lemire to take Aquaman over Superman.