Aquaman is more than likely going to be seen as a superhero badass within the next year due to the film, but if you’ve been reading the Rebirth version you’d think so already. The series has been action packed and well written, but how is issue #7, is it good?
Aquaman #7 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? Read the official DC summary:
“Who framed Aquaman?” The investigation into the Atlantean attack on American forces kicks off a mystery as the criminal collective N.E.M.O. unleashes a new and terrible weapon that threatens the existence of Atlantis itself.
Why does this book matter?
Dan Abnett has made it loud and clear this series isn’t just about Aquaman, but the strife of being the leader of an entire people. It’s exhausting being the king, but somebody has to do it. Last issue Aquaman fought Superman, and Aquaman is dealing with the fallout of not knowing if his connection to the Justice League is eroding. He needs to figure out who framed him and it all starts here!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This issue opens with Aquaman’s cabinet of sorts requesting to speak to him; they’re awaiting orders as they expect a full war with the land dwellers is a possibility, but Abnett quickly turns this into a race to stop that from happening. Quicker than I expected, Abnett reveals who is behind the frame job that’s made the United States want to go to war with Atlantis, cutting back and forth between Aquaman coming closer to the truth and the villains staying one step ahead.
Abnett has propelled Black Manta rather quickly from a cliched sort of villain who has short sighted plans, to a man who’s willing to bring the entire world down around him to defeat Aquaman. Over the last few issues and this issue too Abnett has made Black Manta intriguing as hell and I’m glad he’s part of something bigger. Essentially Abnett has created a foil for Aquaman as both he and Black Manta make decisions for larger organizations — one for good and one for evil.
Sometimes it’s not so good to be the king.
The most interesting scenes in this issue deal with Aquaman attempting to talk to characters to find solutions. One is with a traitor who believes Aquaman is the traitor and another is with FBI agents. Abnett writes well written dialogue that keep you interested regardless of lack of action. He brings up interesting ideas about how a leader should treat say – a racist – and he makes a lot of sense.
The art by Wayne Faucher with inks by Gabe Eltaeb make Atlantis feel huge and awesome. Costumes look good, the environments even better, and there’s an interesting way of chaining criminals you shouldn’t miss. A Black manta fight sequence is kicked off with a rather awesome full page splash that’s highly detailed. All in all the facial expressions are good and allow the dialogue to roll on.
It can’t be perfect can it?
There are two scenes that seem to come out of nowhere involving Mera. They don’t flow in the story quite as nicely as they should and seem to have been added in to progress a subplot for a future issue. Mera out of nowhere says she’ll do something, then starts making out with Aquaman right in front of another Atlantean and it’s strangely transitioned to. The introduction of the things she wants to do was also brought up earlier in the issue and simply seems too disconnected from the main plot to make sense.
See!
Is It Good?
Political intrigue continues in Aquaman! Aquaman #7 does well to show Aquaman unravel the truth whilst the truth is preparing to blow up right in his face.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
