Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Aquaman Rebirth #1

By Hervé St-Louis
June 10, 2016 - 17:48

A splinter Atlantean terrorist group threatens to break the cautious peace between Atlantis and the surface world by destroying the city of Boston. Can Aquaman, Mera and his elite Atlantean soldiers stop the splinter group from attacking the surface world? And who is pulling the terrorists’ strings?

This is the kind of reboot to a series that I consider a soft reboot. The comic is of course meant to introduce Aquaman, yet again to readers unfamiliar with the character. It’s a simple story that introduces, the character, his supporting cast, and of course his villain. Major challenges ahead are prefaced by a seemingly omniscient narrator who introduces Aquaman, and how he is perceived by the world.

Here Dan Abnett stayed close to the redefinition and approach that made Geoff Johns’ Aquaman successful. The corny aspects of Aquaman are addressed as being part of who he is as a character. The talking to fish joke is here.

I’m not sure if continuing this thread is necessary. Aquaman talking to fish was only silly when he was in Superfriends 30 years ago. Most readers reading Aquaman today have no recollection of the silly times Aquaman was silly. It’s like forcing people to remember the 1966 Batman on television.

The story is of course a set up to a methodical attack by a “mysterious villain” while serving as an introduction. Rebirth-wise, little about the reality of Aquaman’s life was revealed. This is why this is a soft reboot à la Marvel Comics. This is not a new reinterpretation of Aquaman with a very different costume or a new beard or new powers.  This is classic Aquaman.

The plot of the secret funding of antagonists of Aquaman by another more sinister villain has been done so many times now. It’s been done at least in the 1993 Aquaman series, in the Sub Diego Aquaman series. It’s a common theme to Aquaman, and other heroes I guess.

I have one complaint. Aquaman’s hair never look wet, whether he is water or outside. He looks like these Hollywood actress who look gorgeous in morning after scenes when they get out of bed looking splendid. The rest of the artwork was good but not very memorable.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: January 17, 2025 - 08:20