Aquaman #1 is written by Jeremy Adams and published by DC. Artwork is by John Timms, colours by Rex Lokus and letters by Dave Sharpe. Main cover art (left) is also by Timms.
Aquaman #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
In the wake of Absolute Power, Arthur Curry’s powers have evolved to powerful new heights, and this is one king ready to use them to kick some serious butt. Mammoth water-construct Kaijus have emerged from each of the seven seas, and only Aquaman’s water-warping abilities can stop them—but not if they kill the good king in the process! Enter Dagon, Arthur’s guide on the quest to unlock the secrets of the “blue.” But what deadly secret awaits Arthur on his journey?
Review
If my calculations are correct then it’s been almost four years since Arthur Curry last headlined a DC Comics series baring the name Aquaman. With the last book baring the name being Aquaman: Becoming which wrapped up its run, focussed on Kaldur, wrapping up its run in 2022. So today we’re celebrating that Arthur is back where he belongs in a brand new issue #1 from writer Jeremy Adams and artist John Timms.
There’s no escaping that Arthur hasn’t been the easiest character to write for. In fact his seemingly possible to nail characterisation is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Though Jason Momoa went a long way to bringing some gravitas to the character, not since the days of Peter David has an Aquaman comic broken through the zeitgeist. No pressure on Adams and Timms to make this book work then…
This creative team comes to Aquaman during a perfect storm of circumstances. With DC’s All In Special having created a huge mystery for the entire DCU and Absolute Power having messed with the status quo. There’s plenty of room for Adams to make the story his own. Something which he does right across this issue with passion and serious chutzpah.
READ MORE: Diving in to a Brand New AQUAMAN #1 with Writer Jeremy Adams (EXCLUSIVE)
From the outset Adams makes it clear this is no run-of-the-mill Aquaman story. The opens pages quite literally state “This is not a story of Arthur Curry as a boy, a hero, a lover or even a king”. Adams looks to quickly set this time on Aquaman apart from others by telling a story about Arthur “the god killer”, a caption on the page which goes alongside our first glimpse of a ginormous tentacled monster which dwarfs Aruthr in size. Of course the next panel takes us one year earlier, immediately establishing that our journey across this arc will be to lead us back to this pivotal moment in Arthur’s story.
There’s clearly a long road ahead to bring us to this moment and our education starts here. Adams effortlessly ticks off a whole bunch of exposition across the next few pages, confirming Arthur is back on the throne of Atlantis, now has hydrokinetic powers and is father to Andrina. One can immediately sense that Adams will be taking Arthur on a personal journey. Exploring how each of these aspects of his life impact on each other but also on his role as a Justice League member and hero.
Adams strikes the perfect balance of re-acclimating the reader to Arthur’s world without overwhelming us with exposition. Yes, all of the important information is contained within the story. But it’s offset by a number of huge scale action set pieces which are designs to wow and woo us to return for future issues. It’s a delicious first issue even before we get to the really jumping off point of Arthur’s latest adventure.
What immediately slaps the reader in the face, beyond Adam’s engaging story, is John Timms INCREDIBLE artwork. Aquaman #1 is nothing short of dazzling. It’s devastatingly gorgeous to look at on the page and is entirely disarming because of it. I found myself instantly swept up in the tide of Timm’s artwork. The underwater scenes have a flow and grandeur which is awe inspiring whilst all of the character work is equally as grand in how it capture emotion and movement.
Timm’s has the ever-capable Rex Lokus working alongside on colours. The depth of shading and colour really only serves to enhances the overall look of Aquaman even further. The whole issue is bright, vivid and full of life. There’s no other way to say it and this is series is setting the bar incredibly high for comic books in 2025. Aquaman is the series to beat.
Coming in to its closing moments Aquaman #1 – and Adams – plays their trump card. It transpires this book is also pretty central to the mysteries behind DC’s All In initiative and the Absolute universe. Adams takes the bold step of ramping up the personal stakes before the first issue is even completed, catapulting Arthur on a mission which suddenly feels immeasurable in size.
Verdict
Aquaman #1 is a triumphant return to solo-comics for Arthur Curry. Jeremy Adams has started a refreshing, high stakes action-adventure story which feels so personal to Arthur and yet encompasses the entire future of the DCU in its scope. With the phenomenal John Timms and Rex Lokus on the team it seems Arthur Curry’s future has never looked so bright.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
