AQUAMAN #32/ Written by DAN ABNETT/ Art by RICARDO FEDERICI/ Breakdowns (p 16-20) by RICK LEONARDI/ Colors by SUNNY GHO/ Letters by STEVE WANDS/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by SARAH MORAN
This most recent arc of Aquaman feels like it’s been going on forever, but there’s definitely a sense with this issue that something big is right around the corner. Abnett has been doing some fantastic world-building over the course of this run, populating Atlantis with a variety of groups like the Ninth Tride gangs, the mutants, the Silent School, and Widowhood, and in Aquaman #32 it all begins to pay off.
[Spoilers to follow!]
The suggestion from the Widowhood that Mera – only recently returned to Atlantis – should rule once Rath is deposed is an exciting idea, even if it’s a bit of a stretch to believe Atlantis would choose the lover of their former king and a Xebel princess at that. This plan also throws a huge wrench into Arthur and Mera getting to live happily ever after in Amnesty Bay (much to my dismay). Still, Mera’s decision to adhere to duty over her own heart is admirable, making it difficult to argue against her becoming Queen. Eventually, even Arthur starts to warm to the idea though it means he won’t be at her side. All in all, this is just the sort of courtly drama Abnett promised and I’m excited to see how it concludes.
Federici and Gho’s artwork has grown on me since last issue and the two page-spread of Arthur and Mera’s reunion is stunning. Federici line work communicates quite a lot through the characters’ expressions, especially Dolphin, who gives Arthur more than a few disquieting glances once Mera’s back in the picture (I don’t her trust anymore). Gho’s colors could be more vibrant, but they fit with the murky nature of the story at hand.
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #1/ Written by EDDIE GORODETSKY & MARC ANDREYKO/ Art by STEPHEN SADOWSKI/ Colors by HI-FI COLOUR DESIGNS/ Letters by A LARGER WORLD STUDIOS/ Published by IMAGE COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Nick Wilson was once the world’s greatest (and only) superhero. He was rich, famous and could have any woman he wanted. Then he lost his powers, as quickly and mysteriously as he’d gained them. Now he’s barely paying the rent by pretending to be a Nick Wilson impersonator at children’s parties. Pushing thirty and fearful his best days are behind him, Nick needs a new direction. Hope arrives in the form of a call from his high-school sweetheart but there’s another blast from his past coming. Superhero deconstructions have been done to death but Nick Wilson sets itself apart by establishing Nick as an honestly good man we want to root for rather than the cliched total screw-up desperate to reclaim his former glory. That, plus some excellent artwork from Starman/JSA artist Stephen Sadowski make this one to check out.
WONDER WOMAN/CONAN #5/ Written by GAIL SIMONE/ Pencils by AARON LOPRESTI/ Inks by MATT RYAN/ Colors by WENDY BROOME With TONY AVINA/ Letters by SAIDA TEMOFONTE/ Published by DC COMICS
Review by MATT MORRISON
Diana’s fellow Amazons have finally found their princess, cast into time and space by some unknown enemy. As a band of her Sisters make the perilous journey into the world of Hyboria, Conan and Diana continue to contend with the blood-thirsty war goddesses who wish to see them fight. It’s slightly surreal reading this comic given last week’s news that Marvel Comics has once again acquired the Conan license. This means that we’ll never see the likes of this crossover again in the foreseeable future, which is unfortunate giving how utterly amazing it has been for fans of either Conan the Barbarian or Wonder Woman. Hopefully Simone and Leopresti are on the short list of creators who will be writing Conan’s adventures in 2019.
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Kabooooom! 