Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Aquaman #9

By Hervé St-Louis
October 19, 2016 - 05:52

Faced with an opponent that even the Justice League cannot defeat, Aquaman is the only man standing between Amnesty Bay and the Shaggy Man. What can he do to stop the wandering mindless brute?

Abnett continues the epic redefining Aquaman and his place in the world. In the last few issues, Abnett has hinted at a tense relationship with the Justice League, going as far as pitting Aquaman and Mera against Superman. Abnett’s logic, here, as I described last issue, was to pit Aquaman against an enemy he could not defeat. In this issue, the enemy is one he is not willing to ask help in order to defeat him.

Aquaman’s pride is at core of this issue. Not being powerful enough and being called about it by his own men creates a situation where the hero who wishes to maintain his independence towards the Justice League has to find a way to stop innocents from dying. Abnett has been systematic in his handling of Aquaman. At first, it wasn’t too apparent that he was trying to destroy everything around him, only to rebuild it stronger. It is the right way to handle the character.

Similarly to Greg Rucka’’s Wonder Woman, Abnett is almost creating the defining story arc people will flock to in years to come, when trying to figure out Aquaman or trying to name some of his best work. The hero’s quest is what worked for the character years ago when he was drawn by Ramona Fradon and Jim Aparo. There was always a sense of direction, and that something else was coming. He was allowed to break the super hero mold; get married; have a child; lose the child and the marriage.

But now such occurrences are no longer ground breaking in comics. So it’s a different type of hero’s quest where Aquaman reacts against the scheming of Black Manta and vanquishes everything his arch enemy throws at him. Yet, unlike Rucka’s Wonder Woman, this Aquaman doesn’t seem as epic. The story is muted, more humble. It is not to say that it is boring or badly plotted. It’s just that someone, it may, just like Aquaman traditionally does, fall under the radar. Here’s why.

Brad Walker was advertised as the main artist on this series. Scot Eaton has been the main artist on this series, regardless the credits. Eaton is solid, with good composition. But he lacks the crazy energy that Walker imbues into Aquaman. Ergo, it scales down the scope of a story that should be as sought as the Atlantis Chronicles. There is not enough grit and mayhem in the pages.

Part of the problem may be Wayne Faucher’s understated inks. Sometimes the lines are too thin. They are certainly too clean. Fauncher’s inking reminds me of Art Thiebert and for a classically trained penciller like Eaton, it’s not enough. Faucher’s lines should solidify the artwork and not give it a lightweight feel.

Having said this, I enjoyed how Aquaman resolved his conflict with the Shaggy Man, using his brain. From my research, similar ploys have been used before to defeat the Shaggy Man. I’m glad that Abnett’s Aquaman was able to update and old trick.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12