Congratulations On The New Bundle Of Joy (Aquaman #57 Review)
AQUAMAN #57
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art: Robson Rocha & Daniel Henriques
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques & Marcelo Maiolo
Publisher: DC
Rating: 8/10 Congratulations Aqua Family
Everything changes here. Kelly Sue DeConnick delivers one of the most historic moments in the Aquaman mythos this issue. It’s been a long time since we have had Arthur and Mera back together again fully. Not since before the events that led up to Drowned Earth have the two really been featured in the same issue in current time. With DeConnick’s run first started, the build-up to these two reuniting was highly anticipated for me and that only grew stronger after the exciting news that there was about to be a new addition to the Aqua Family on the way. Spoilers Ahead.
After an all-out battle against Black Manta and his giant robot dad, Aquaman and the folks of Amnesty Bay find Mera in bad shape as the strain puts a number on her and the baby potentially. With time of the essence and experts on aquatic inhabitants needed, Rocha’s` and Henriques art transport us back to Atlantis to explore another corner of Atlantean society, the medical care. You won’t catch Sebastian singing about this part of life under the sea but take it from DeConnick as we get a glimpse into another unexplored part of the struggles that Atlanteans face. The art lends to what could be an upcoming plot the upcoming faces as the panels are filled to the brim with Atlanteans crowding the hospital and looking worse for wear. It’s an issue we may see brought up soon but for now the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Not only was this issue big in the fact that it introduces us to the daughter of Mera and Arthur, but it also brought so many threads back together in the Aquaman story since before DeConnick took over the series. All the major players for the series’ future seem to be here as Aquaman is finally back in Atlantis after a long absence, Vulko is now back as a trusted advisor, and even Orm (who recently had a kick-ass Year of the Villain one-shot) has arrived as a fellow ruler to establish what could be a potential alliance between his new kingdom and Atlantis. If the current Aquaman run wasn’t exciting enough already, this issue will definitely have you wanting to hop and ride the wave that is a fantastic series.
