In Jeremy Adams and John Timms’s Aquaman #2, Atlantis is stolen, leaving the hero without a home! Now, stripped of his kingdom, Aquaman must learn to control his developing aquatic abilities and navigate a perplexing new world to reclaim his city. But with his world turned upside down, can he possibly succeed? Let’s dive in!
We open with Aquaman rising from alien mud, the Omega symbol looming. He is searching for his family and kingdom. Grindylows, mounted on giant lizards, attack, seeking moisture for their queen. Aquaman, wielding his new aquatic powers and some mud, defeats them. He confronts Queen Jenny Greenteeth, who reveals their world’s “Blue” (water) is gone, forcing them to harvest blood. Captured, Aquaman meets an old ally in the blood pits. They escape, using Aquaman’s powers to manipulate the blood and sever their bonds. He confronts Jenny, and a prophecy is revealed: Aquaman is “the dark tide that crashes upon the shores of his enemies,” heralding a new god’s arrival.
Credits: DC Comics
Jeremy Adams is steering Aquaman in a fantastic direction. Seeing the King of the Seas out of his element yet still pulling off some impressive new tricks is genuinely refreshing. And I’ll say it again: Aquaman with water powers? Brilliant! Huge kudos to Adams for making that a reality. The ally’s appearance was a real treat. He’s one of those classic, magical DC characters that doesn’t pop up often, so it’s a win whenever he does.
Now, let’s talk about John Timms’ splash page. That ocean of blood commanded by Aquaman? Epic! It had serious Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes. The sheer artistry, the blend of reds, oranges, and greens, the way it coalesced and crashed against the panel—it looked like a painting. Timms consistently delivers bold and dynamic visuals, making Aquaman look cooler than he has in ages. Every panel feels like it could be a screensaver.
Okay, there were a couple of minor hiccups. The “got your tongue” line? Let’s skip those in the future. But the follow-up scene, where Aquaman uses the lizard’s tongue to whip it around and take them all out? That was awesome and redeemed the cringe. On another note, the pacing of this issue felt rushed. It moved so quickly that it almost gave the impression of being filler. It’s a shame because the artwork and overall vision are otherwise impressive.
Credits: DC Comics
Dave Sharpe’s lettering greatly enhances the impact of the action. The ‘Whap!’ of the mud bullets and the Grindylows’ ‘Grrraaaaw’ and ‘Agh!’ reactions are fantastic. Rex Lokus’s color work is also commendable. Despite the heavy use of greens and yellows, which could quickly become chaotic, he maintains visual clarity and balance. The double splash page with Aquaman, set against that intense color palette, is a testament to his skill.
Aquaman #2 delivers a visually stunning and action-packed adventure, showcasing Aquaman’s adaptation to new powers and a strange, waterless world. While the pacing feels rushed at times, the unique premise and dynamic artwork, particularly the blood-bending scene, make this a compelling chapter in Aquaman’s journey to reclaim his lost kingdom.
‘Aquaman’ #2 Review: The Dark Tide Rises
Aquaman #2 delivers a visually stunning and action-packed adventure, showcasing Aquaman’s adaptation to new powers and a strange, waterless world. While the pacing feels rushed at times, the unique premise and dynamic artwork, particularly the blood-bending scene, make this a compelling chapter in Aquaman’s journey to reclaim his lost kingdom.
