This issue opens with a flashback. The content is fine, but the art is goofy. It’s to indicate the flashback, but it doesn’t work.
Otherwise, Johns is really impressing with Aquaman. He even manages to bring the joke aspect back, but matures it a little. Someone accuses Aquaman of being a glory hound looking for a good reputation. Johns handles it quietly, with Reis showing the full effect of the statement. Reis mixes the emotive quality of the story with the action. It’s impressive to see.
Again, Johns writes a great relationship between Mera and Arthur. It’s a great married couple adventure, with Mera never taking a secondary role. Even though it’s her first time to the surface or whatever.
Johns really just seems to get how to do this comic book and one aspect of that understanding is having Reis.
It even manages to be disturbing (carnivorous sea monsters).
Yes, with the third issue, Auqaman made Staff Pick at my shop.