It was recently rumored that DC’s 5G initiative was planned to focus on the next generation of DC heroes before getting scrapped. The remnants of 5G still appear to be lingering in the DC Universe which is evident from titles like “Aquamen.” “Aquaman: The Becoming” promoted newer ocean-based hero Jackson Hyde to the seminal Aquaman role. Hyde trains with Arthur Curry in the forefront of the series until Hyde feels comfortable enough to call himself Aquaman. DC and Marvel have both been introducing lots of younger heroes lately to fill the shoes of their predecessors. Hyde is even more fleshed out than some of his contemporaries thanks to the “Young Justice” cartoon streaming currently on HBO Max. DC stopped focusing on Hyde for a couple of years after bringing him to the forefront in “Brightest Day.” Writers Chuck Brown and Brandon Thomas are writing the series alongside artist Sami Basri who is crafting the interiors. Will Thomas, Brown, and Basri be able to make a smooth transition into this important next step for Aquaman and Jackson Hyde, find out in our review of “Aquamen” #1?
Written by Chuck Brown and Brandon Thomas
Penciled by Sami Basri
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Lettered by Andworld DesignWhen a suicide bomber 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!
In the opening pages, “Aquamen” is uncomfortably close to the tone of the first “Aquaman” issues from Rebirth in 2016. Arthur and Jackson are striving to keep the peace while battling against Orm in a political setting. Aside from the derivative antagonist and threat, Brown and Thomas spend time tracking where Jackson Hyde is from an emotional standpoint. In other words, the melodramatic angst that made the tone sink in “Aquaman: The Becoming” is now back for this issue. “Aquamen” could be the first issue for readers in a long time and the script references the previous mini-series and “Black Manta” title. New readers might be put off by feeling like they missed the connective tissue from previous stories. It is unclear why the first issue of a new “Aquaman” series would feel the need to reference other books entirely.
Artist Sami Basri is a huge bright spot in “Aquamen.” Basri’s art is extremely expressive while being very concise. Color artist Adriano Lucas adds so much detail with the color hues of this issue. Lucas has a vast color palette that can change at a moment’s notice with great effect here. The action scenes keep that strong tone and expressive art from Basri. When Lucas comes in and colors the speed lines or point of impact with a brighter hue. The visuals of the “Aquamen” title end up sticking with me for a long period of time.
Basri is able to draw Black Manta with lots of personality. When Manta is outside of his suit he always looks like the coolest person in the room thanks to his outfits and emotionless expressions. Basri lends a visceral nature to the interiors when he brings out the ocean creatures lying below. Basri is great at drawing characters enjoying a casual meal in Amnesty Bay, but he can also bring out the insane level of conflict when the story calls for a brawl with a giant dragon.
“Aquaman: The Becoming” suffered from a derivative, overwritten nature that I hoped to see this new “Aquamen” title overcome. Sadly, the final page of “Aquamen” introduces a forced conflict that echoes my issues from “Aquaman: The Becoming.” Thomas and Brown fuse this moment with another dose of angst from Jackson that is going to start this title off on the wrong foot for some readers. “Aquamen” #1 ends up feeling like a monotonous first issue that barely introduces enough ideas for the average reader to even want to pick up the next issue. It is not a novel idea to see Jackson and Arthur operating alongside each other anymore. Perhaps this issue would feel more appropriate if “Aquaman: The Becoming” had a stronger finale and gave Jackson more of a purpose in the Aquaman role.
Continued below“Aquamen” clearly has lots of room to grow but the inconsequential script is going to bore the average reader. The first issue of a new series should include a twist before the final page to keep the attention of the reader. Due to continuity reasons from upcoming “Justice League” issues, “Aquamen” could particularly be interesting in the near future. It is curious here why the political state of Xebel and Atlantis is largely glossed over here as it was the focus of a major subplot in “Aquaman: The Becoming.” The presence of Mera and Arthur’s daughter Andy is missed here as well.
“Aquamen” #1 is a disappointing step into the waters of 5G. Brown and Thomas lend a split focus to dual protagonists that does not end up serving the story. The melodrama from Jackson goes beyond parody here at times. The intriguing moments with Black Manta are scattered throughout the issue and too small for me to find them intriguing.
Final Verdict: 5.4 – “Aquamen” #1 struggles to find focus between the dual protagonists.
