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Aquamen (2022) (Single Issues) #1-6
Aquamen Vol. 1
There’s a storm brewing in the seven seas! Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde unite to take on a massive underwater conspiracy, in the first series teaming the Aquamen of two eras!
When a terrorist in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen—Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde—are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction…and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy! If Arthur’s not careful, the secrets he’s keeping—from Mera, Tula, Tempest, Atlantis, the surface, and even Jackson—could cause a rift from which the Aquamen might never recover!
As more Atlantean sleeper agents awake, more questions are raised: How will Arthur’s past mistakes come back to haunt him? What is Ocean Master’s involvement? And what brings Jackson to the dark and dangerous streets of Gotham City? Aquamen starts where both Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta ends!
This volume collects Aquamen #1-6.
When a terrorist in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen—Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde—are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction…and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy! If Arthur’s not careful, the secrets he’s keeping—from Mera, Tula, Tempest, Atlantis, the surface, and even Jackson—could cause a rift from which the Aquamen might never recover!
As more Atlantean sleeper agents awake, more questions are raised: How will Arthur’s past mistakes come back to haunt him? What is Ocean Master’s involvement? And what brings Jackson to the dark and dangerous streets of Gotham City? Aquamen starts where both Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta ends!
This volume collects Aquamen #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2022
3 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Brown
135 books16 followersChuck Brown has written The Punisher and Black Panther comics for Marvel. He is the writer and co-creator of Rotten Apple for Dark Horse Comics, and co-creator of Bitter Root at Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 16, 2022
This is what an Aquaman story should feel like! It's quick, action packed, and...looks pretty?
I like the softened Black Manta. It takes the character from being one dimensional repetitive to a fascinating antagonist that has a better backstory than we would have thought. Having a son that's a hero might have dulled the years of hate he's had for Arthur Curry, but it's still there. The threats are just about as plentiful as the lies and secrets.
Who expected Aquaman, Aqualad (aka Aquaman II?), and Black Manta to do a team up? This is just GOOD!
Bonus: We get an emergency family meeting which means we get a Tempest cameo!
Bonus Bonus: I forget how many times Arthur has died now, but it's got to be a LOT
I like the softened Black Manta. It takes the character from being one dimensional repetitive to a fascinating antagonist that has a better backstory than we would have thought. Having a son that's a hero might have dulled the years of hate he's had for Arthur Curry, but it's still there. The threats are just about as plentiful as the lies and secrets.
Who expected Aquaman, Aqualad (aka Aquaman II?), and Black Manta to do a team up? This is just GOOD!
Bonus: We get an emergency family meeting which means we get a Tempest cameo!
Bonus Bonus: I forget how many times Arthur has died now, but it's got to be a LOT
February 24, 2024
I had a hard time getting into this one. I was confused because there was a lot going on, plus it seemed like the story was a little drawn out. That being said, this wasn't terrible, there's just a lot to take in.
November 24, 2022
Following on from Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta, Aquamen wraps up the story that was set up in those books as well as firmly establishing Jackson Hyde as a second Aquaman.
There's a bit of an odd sense of pacing surrounding this book - I feel like it was meant to be longer than the six issues it got, Dark Crisis notwithstanding, so while the first few issues seem a little sluggish, everything gets kicked into high gear near the end to round it all up quickly, leaving issue 6 to tie-in to Dark Crisis and end the book as well. It's not bad at what it's doing, it just feels a little all over the place as a result.
The character work is what really sings here, with both Aquamen, Black Manta, and Mera getting some fun scenes, and even the political stuff on the side works surprisingly well. Brandon Thomas and Chuck Brown co-write, but this book's got all the good parts from Aquaman: The Becoming and none of the dreck from Black Manta, thank god.
On art for the most part is Sami Basri, whose clear visuals I've enjoyed since I first saw him on Power Girl way back when, while Max Raynor pops up for issues 3 and 6 as well. Raynor's style is a little less polished, but it doesn't detract from the story in the slightest.
It's a shame this book didn't last longer, because it had a lot of potential to be great. As it is, it's just kind of okay, but at least it rounds up all the plot threads that were left dangling. Hopefully we'll see the Aquamen again sooner rather than later.
There's a bit of an odd sense of pacing surrounding this book - I feel like it was meant to be longer than the six issues it got, Dark Crisis notwithstanding, so while the first few issues seem a little sluggish, everything gets kicked into high gear near the end to round it all up quickly, leaving issue 6 to tie-in to Dark Crisis and end the book as well. It's not bad at what it's doing, it just feels a little all over the place as a result.
The character work is what really sings here, with both Aquamen, Black Manta, and Mera getting some fun scenes, and even the political stuff on the side works surprisingly well. Brandon Thomas and Chuck Brown co-write, but this book's got all the good parts from Aquaman: The Becoming and none of the dreck from Black Manta, thank god.
On art for the most part is Sami Basri, whose clear visuals I've enjoyed since I first saw him on Power Girl way back when, while Max Raynor pops up for issues 3 and 6 as well. Raynor's style is a little less polished, but it doesn't detract from the story in the slightest.
It's a shame this book didn't last longer, because it had a lot of potential to be great. As it is, it's just kind of okay, but at least it rounds up all the plot threads that were left dangling. Hopefully we'll see the Aquamen again sooner rather than later.
March 9, 2023
Following on from Brown's previous volume Black Manta and Brandon Thomas' Aquaman Becoming the story here is more consistent than that of the latter but not quite as good as the former. The basic idea is that war between Atlantis and the rest of the world beckons yet again, although at least there's a different explanation behind it - and, in fairness, one that works quite well. There's some good characterisation here, especially of Black Manta, and an expansive cast that's presumably opening up options for the future of the line.
A negative, however, is a scene in which Jackson tortures someone for information; there's no indication that isn't the sort of thing that heroes should be doing, and no comeback from it at all. When Black Manta causes trouble by attacking someone he doesn't need to, that makes sense, and there are consequences, but Jackson is supposed to be different from his father. Well, judging from this, he may not be, but you'd think that would at least be addressed.
Some mixed-quality art let down the Black Manta mini-series but, while we once again manage to have two different artists in the space of just six issues, at least both of them are decent and have similar styles, so it isn't as significant as it might be. The biggest problem, though, is the final issue, which is set after the main plot has been resolved and revolves around something that happens in another comic and isn't explained here. This sort of thing can be expected in an ongoing series, given DC's love of universe-wide events, and might even be unavoidable there. But devoting the entire final issue of a mini-series to something essentially unconnected with the rest of it - and not even saying what happened beyond the outline - feels pointlessly tacked on.
It's a pity, because the first five issues are quite good.
A negative, however, is a scene in which Jackson tortures someone for information; there's no indication that isn't the sort of thing that heroes should be doing, and no comeback from it at all. When Black Manta causes trouble by attacking someone he doesn't need to, that makes sense, and there are consequences, but Jackson is supposed to be different from his father. Well, judging from this, he may not be, but you'd think that would at least be addressed.
Some mixed-quality art let down the Black Manta mini-series but, while we once again manage to have two different artists in the space of just six issues, at least both of them are decent and have similar styles, so it isn't as significant as it might be. The biggest problem, though, is the final issue, which is set after the main plot has been resolved and revolves around something that happens in another comic and isn't explained here. This sort of thing can be expected in an ongoing series, given DC's love of universe-wide events, and might even be unavoidable there. But devoting the entire final issue of a mini-series to something essentially unconnected with the rest of it - and not even saying what happened beyond the outline - feels pointlessly tacked on.
It's a pity, because the first five issues are quite good.
April 19, 2023
Aquamen is an engaging read that features crisper plotting and art than its immediate predecessor, Aquaman: The Becoming, but it still suffers from bland villains with forced motives. Aquamen begins with Orm attacking the UN (presumably for the 10,000th time) in an effort to restart the war between Atlantis and the nations of Earth (also presumably for the 10,000th time).
The difference here (I guess?) is that there's some hokum about an ancient Atlantis weapon that has been resurrected by a surprise villain () and that Aquaman needs the whole team to solve the problem. The team now includes Black Manta and Aqualad/man, so I guess that's exciting? Jackson Hyde and his father have the most interesting relationship, even though it's awkwardly shoehorned in at the worst moments.
Everything is fun and fast and fine until the end Um, did I miss a memo? I'm guessing this is some "Crisis" that will be explored in another series. But it's a really awkward way to end this book, which in theory should stand on its own as the introduction to a new series...
The difference here (I guess?) is that there's some hokum about an ancient Atlantis weapon that has been resurrected by a surprise villain () and that Aquaman needs the whole team to solve the problem. The team now includes Black Manta and Aqualad/man, so I guess that's exciting? Jackson Hyde and his father have the most interesting relationship, even though it's awkwardly shoehorned in at the worst moments.
Everything is fun and fast and fine until the end Um, did I miss a memo? I'm guessing this is some "Crisis" that will be explored in another series. But it's a really awkward way to end this book, which in theory should stand on its own as the introduction to a new series...
June 2, 2023
Yeah, you know what... I think I'm good on Aquaman graphic novels of any kind from here on out.
Not that this is bad... I just have no damn clue who half the people showing up are or what their relationships are to each other or the history of half these characters is since the extend of my knowledge of the Aquaman storyline is basically the previous graphic novel, and, you know, general pop culture.
It all just kinda feels like people being mad at other people for... things I'm unaware of.
And Aquaman really just has a bunch of really dumb villains in various clunky suits.
Also, this graphic novel ends where it lines up to the Dark Crisis storyline where [spoilers] everyone dies... well, not everyone, just the Justice League. But also, this is a comic book storyline and these are the money makers, so you know they're not staying dead.
The art by Sami Basri and Max Raynor is decent. But neither of them are Diego Olortegui, who is a major part of what I loved about the previous graphic novel. I also would have been very much down for Dan Mora who does a variant cover in the back.
So, it was an experience, but I think that's my last visit to Atlantis.
Not that this is bad... I just have no damn clue who half the people showing up are or what their relationships are to each other or the history of half these characters is since the extend of my knowledge of the Aquaman storyline is basically the previous graphic novel, and, you know, general pop culture.
It all just kinda feels like people being mad at other people for... things I'm unaware of.
And Aquaman really just has a bunch of really dumb villains in various clunky suits.
Also, this graphic novel ends where it lines up to the Dark Crisis storyline where [spoilers] everyone dies... well, not everyone, just the Justice League. But also, this is a comic book storyline and these are the money makers, so you know they're not staying dead.
The art by Sami Basri and Max Raynor is decent. But neither of them are Diego Olortegui, who is a major part of what I loved about the previous graphic novel. I also would have been very much down for Dan Mora who does a variant cover in the back.
So, it was an experience, but I think that's my last visit to Atlantis.
March 4, 2023
This Volume revolves around two things (in my opinion):
1) Reintroducing the whole "Aqua" family so that we have a cast of characters for after what happens at the end of this Volume.
2) Rehashing a overdone trope of something bad happening to cause the surface and Atlantis to fight each other.
Synopsis:
Atlantian sleeper agents are waking up on the surface because Orm set them off to cause chaos and incite war. Aquaman has known about this for a bit and has teamed up with Black Manta to shut it all down. Because of previous events, Jackson (now also Aquaman) is not sure why Arthur would team up with his criminal dad and begins fighting against it. Things get shut down after a bit, but Arthur got called away on a Justice League emergency. The Volume ends with a report all across the world that the Justice League are dead.
Really interested to move on to that storyline, but not ready to give up on Jackson. This Volume is still worth a read, but we need something amazing to happen with the Aqua-fam soon.
1) Reintroducing the whole "Aqua" family so that we have a cast of characters for after what happens at the end of this Volume.
2) Rehashing a overdone trope of something bad happening to cause the surface and Atlantis to fight each other.
Synopsis:
Atlantian sleeper agents are waking up on the surface because Orm set them off to cause chaos and incite war. Aquaman has known about this for a bit and has teamed up with Black Manta to shut it all down. Because of previous events, Jackson (now also Aquaman) is not sure why Arthur would team up with his criminal dad and begins fighting against it. Things get shut down after a bit, but Arthur got called away on a Justice League emergency. The Volume ends with a report all across the world that the Justice League are dead.
Really interested to move on to that storyline, but not ready to give up on Jackson. This Volume is still worth a read, but we need something amazing to happen with the Aqua-fam soon.
December 9, 2022
This closes out what was started in Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta. Atlantean sleeper agents are blowing themselves up in strategic locations on the surface. Both Aquamen, Black Manta, Mera, Tempest and Tula are out to stop them. I like Black Manta in this role. I don't like how angry Jackson is in this. He's not even willing to listen to what Arthur has to say when he finds out he's working with Black Manta. He just does the trope of starting a fight and not letting Arthur talk. The story feels a bit washed away as this ends with Dark Crisis beginning.
Sami Basri's art is always welcome in my house. TBH, I didn't even realize when it switched to Max Raynor as they have similar styles.
Sami Basri's art is always welcome in my house. TBH, I didn't even realize when it switched to Max Raynor as they have similar styles.
June 14, 2024
This book contains some interesting handling of Black Manta that made me not want to put it down. We see some interesting set up for a plotline for Arthur and Mera.
There's a good deal of appreciating each member of both Aquamen's family and allies.
All of it ultimately does not appear to go anywhere by the end and gets cut off. Not the creative teams fault, but definitely leaves a lot to be desired.
I appreciate what this book was trying to do with Black Manta and Jackson Hyde, wish we got to actually follow it through though.
There's a good deal of appreciating each member of both Aquamen's family and allies.
All of it ultimately does not appear to go anywhere by the end and gets cut off. Not the creative teams fault, but definitely leaves a lot to be desired.
I appreciate what this book was trying to do with Black Manta and Jackson Hyde, wish we got to actually follow it through though.
December 24, 2022
I was trying to figure out a place to get back into Aquaman and that side of the DCU, and I really like what they are doing with Jackson and Black Manta, a nervous surface world... But then plop JUSTICE LEAGUE DEAD kills all momentum. Also, Jackson's boyfriend? Not buying it. He can do better. Sorry, not sorry
February 3, 2023
I don't know what it is about Aquaman comics, but I just have trouble getting invested. The sleeper agent premise was interesting, but I wanted more from it.
February 23, 2023
This was honestly fantastic. I had never read an Aquaman comic before but I genuinely loved this a lot
March 9, 2023
Good story, but Jackson Hyde is REALLY annoying.
November 15, 2023
Enjoying the Spotlight that Kaldur/Jackson has been getting, but these plots only need to be four issues. Art is nice.
A Manchurian candidate/sleeper agent story is very interesting in this context.
Scavengers gets a much needed upgrade.
Why is Shin the Atlantean biology expert? Surely Atlanteans know more.
A Manchurian candidate/sleeper agent story is very interesting in this context.
Scavengers gets a much needed upgrade.
Why is Shin the Atlantean biology expert? Surely Atlanteans know more.
March 24, 2024
Sigh, I wanted this to be good, but it just wasn't. I generally love Jackson, but I can't get a over him torturing a prisoner in this one. 😔
December 3, 2023
Molto, molto ben scritto. Lettura consigliata.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews