DC's NEW 52-AQUAMAN

AQUAMAN has long been one of the most underutilized characters in the DC Universe. He has also had his share of baggage over the years. Lose a child, have your marriage crumble, have your brother be your greatest villain, lose your hand...have some really bad costume designs over the years(let's not forget the blue suit...). A founding member of the original Justice league of America, a star in his own TV show and a member of the Super Friends, he has had numerous comic series over the years but, except for some wonderful story arcs, never garnered a huge fan base.

Apparently in the New DC Universe, he is also one of the most unappreciated heroes. And Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis are taking that theme and running with it.

The story begins with robbery when police in pursuit and all. That's when Aquaman arrives and takes out the bad guys in short order. What thanks does he get? Well, for one, a cop who asks if he needs a glass of water. A little miffed by the reception, Aquaman heads off for a bite to eat...at a seafood restaurant. You heard that right.And he orders fish and chips. Well, that turns some heads of the clientele. "You can't get fish and chips," he is told, "because you talk to fish." "Everybody knows that," says a guy who bears a striking resemblance to Ain't It Cool News' Harry Knowles. He apparently doesn't talk to fish, explains our hero, because their brains are "too primitive to carry on a conversation".
 
One customer comes over, plunks himself down and proceeds to interview the king of the sea for his blog, despite Aquaman's protests. He asks him about how he pays for things without a job, why he came here and where  his "redheaded mermaid" was. The kicker is his final tirade. "How does it feel to be a laughingstock? How's it feel to be NOBODY'S favorite superhero?"
Aquaman walks out after delivering a silent message., but tips his waitress well. He goes to the sea and meets with Mera and tells her he never wanted to be the leader. What he does want is a new life above the sea. She agrees to join him.
 
Meanwhile, some rather hungry sea creatures feast well on a fishing boat and prepare to make their way to the surface. 

I was extremely hesitant about this book. After all, I had already read Geoff Johns' take on JUSTICE LEAGUE and thought it was absolutely abysmal. I was so afraid what he was going to do here. And yeah, this isn't your normal take on Aquaman. But I LOVE IT!!! He has made Aquaman the doormat of the New DC Universe. Cops make jokes about him, people don't understand him and apparently heavy hangs the head that wear the crown. Heavy enough to make him want to leave Atlantis and reside with the humans who don't respect him.

The writing is awesome with some of Johns best lines in a long while. The plot moves slowly, actually there are two plots: the undersea denizens making their way to our world and Aquaman having to deal with the inhumanity in our world. nothing complicated, but a great set up for our hero to fight the prejudice. It's a race relations story dealing with race versus color.

Ivan Reis' artwork shines with the help of Joe Prado. Every panel is a gem and Rod Reis' color work is top notch. you believe this is the King of Atlantis. you believe this man is humble and pissed at the same time. You believe the heartfelt memories he has of his surface world father. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

This book is a gem and again, with Johns at the helm, I never thought I would say that. Save your pennies and get this title. It looks to be a unique take on the sea king that should be in everyone's collection.

BTW: the hooded woman appears on the right side of panel four on page 12, head shot only.