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The Noob 52: 'Aquaman'
What Is The Noob 52?
As many far-more-informed comic book fans know, DC recently completely relaunched pretty much all of their properties; cancelling all current story lines and starting from scratch in an experiment known as The New 52. The design of this experiment was to entice new readers by giving them a chance to come in on the ground floor on any of 52 brand new titles. As someone pathetically out of touch with almost everything related to comic books and comic book characters, I decided to test this experiment by diving headfirst into each and every issue. I will judge these issues based on the art, the story, and how well the writers made this alien world accessible to noobs like me. I will end each piece by explaining what I now understand about the worlds of these characters, based exclusively on what The New 52 has taught me with no other (or very little) previous frame of reference. Join me, won’t you?
Title: ‘Aquaman’
Writer(s): Geoff Johns
Artist(s): Ivan Reis & Joe Prado
Going In, What Do I Know?
I freely admit, Aquaman is probably the character against which I had the most unfair prejudice. Knowing next to nothing about him, apart from the fact that he lived in the ocean and talked to fish, I cast him off as one of the most worthless superheroes ever conceived. I mean how often can the ability to communicate with a cuttlefish save the Earth from certain doom? I also knew that he was a member of some group, can’t remember if it was the Justice League, but that seems like the most likely scenario. I also seem to remember he was the prince of Atlantis.
Artwork:
‘Aquaman #1’ is beautiful. In addition to terrific character construction and attention to several finite details, there was a fascinating play on sunlight as it related to Aquaman’s costume. The armor around his chest was clearly made of a reflective material and the way in which the artist communicates the play of sunlight on that armor is brilliant in more ways than one. I also rather liked the design of the monstrous sea creatures that bookended the issue. They were sort of a riff on the creatures from Roger Corman’s ‘Humanoids from the Deep.’ There is also a panel of a lighthouse at night near the end of the issue that is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
Story:
I was completely blown away by the story of ‘Aquaman #1.’ The issue fully acknowledges the misconceptions of the character as well as every joke of which Aquaman has been the butt. In other words, Aquaman has an orca-sized chip on its shoulder and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t perfectly serve the narrative. When the cop asks if he needs a glass of water simply because he’s standing on land, the expression on Aquaman’s face is one of complete disdain. When people recoil at his order of fish and chips in a restaurant, he is puzzled by their shock. They even go so far as to have a guy, a blogger no less, ask him how he feels about being a joke in the superhero world; referencing YouTube and SNL laughs at his expense. But all the while, the issue portrays the new Aquaman to be pretty badass and obviously fed up with the misconceptions about him.
I also like that here again the New 52 seems to be leaning on horror for their storylines. The creatures from the trench devour a human being in a scene framed as if it were a horror film. It suggests a violent death without being overly explicit, but the swirling blood in the ocean waters serves as an ominous signal that a full-scale monster invasion is looming. There’s a nice balance here of developing the Aquaman character for the reboot and introducing a horror-laced story arc.
What The New 52 Taught Me:
Aquaman schooled me just like he did the other ignorant stooges in that seafood restaurant. Apparently he can, and frequently does exist outside of the waters of the ocean with no immediate need to be submerged. He does not talk to fish, as they are too primitive a species to engage in conversation. He merely taps into their midbrains and forces them to do his bidding whenever it serves his purposes. His father was human and his mother was the queen of Atlantis; making him the current king. He is dating a redheaded mermaid named Mera. His super strength seems to come from his trident and his armor appears to be resistant to bullets. No mention of an affiliation with the Justice League or any other group as of yet.
Will I Remain A Noob?
Way to go New 52 ‘Aquaman,’ you’ve made a believer out of me. Not only am I fascinated to see where this sea monster story is going, but I am officially onboard with this character. They’ve taken someone I’ve always considered a punchline and turned him into a real hero.
Like the Noob 52? You'll love 'Noobs with Boobs' over at Lounge Geeks!
Comment
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Comment by Dr. Detfink on November 17, 2011 at 7:12am -
Geoff Johns is that one dimensional writer who streamlines silver aged DC characters (though not the first that would be James Robinson) so it doesn't make your head hurt. So if you were asleep or not even born yet when Peter David wrote Aquaman...if you feared with the obligatory save the seas message that Marvel tried with Namor in the 90s, this is your book. I think Johns did two things really well: One, he dumped the king of Atlantis. Two, he is going out of his way distinguish him from Namor.
Interesting how no one seems to be offended by Aquaman's gold fish costume. Orange is always what I thought made him unpopular. Yet, no one seems to be bothered but change the subject to Superman and every one has an opinion.
See how far Johns can take this guy because it's pretty well known after he runs out of characters to resurrect, he falls flat...see JSA, see GL...his titles have been flat after 2-3 yrs on them.
Overall a good start but come on, it's 3 issues. Talk to me after 17 issues.
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Comment by Happy Birthday Roboto on November 16, 2011 at 7:32pm -
OK, first of all, good job Brian, second of all, I'm glad Aquaman is finally getting some respect!
you knw there's a Family Guy joke where Robin shows up to save some people and they don't think he's up to the challenge, most people don't realise that the most well known Robin is now Nightwing and a really good character, it's an example fo how most folks just don't get the DC Universe or know anything about the characters, like poor Aquaman.
I remember back in the 1990s writer Peter David, created a rich backstory for Aquaman, unfortunately it went into the "never happened" bin! I hope this new Aquaman sticks around.
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Comment by AlexP on November 16, 2011 at 7:11pm -
This has got to be one of my favorite of the 52.
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Comment by Gift of the Magi on November 16, 2011 at 12:32pm -
Aquaman is one of the least understood (next to Superman. Yeah, I dare you to argue that one.) superheroes in DC Comics. While being at least physically on par with Wonder Woman and having the added advantage of being able to handle extreme cold and pressure, being bullet-proof, having a form of mind control (in past comics he was able to use it on non-aquatic creatures as well), a magic weapon (the trident Brian mentioned) AND having an ENTIRE HIGH-TECH NATION BEHIND HIM.
And yet people STILL make fun of him. Oy. Now on one hand I too get a kick out of how they pointed out the misconception in a meta-sort of way within the story...it also doesn't make a lick of sense. Considering how overt and graphically he demonstrates his powers, one would think at least MOST people living within the DC Universe (a place populated by people USED to superpowers) would be able to adjust and accept what he really is faster. It feels like pandering rather than establishing the character, which you can do WITHOUT the 'hint-hint, wink-wink, whos your mom' inside jokes.
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Comment by Ha-Ra on November 16, 2011 at 11:57am -
Cool recommendation Brian, like you I've had the same misconceptions about the character and your blog actually makes me want to pick it up
I've also felt like giving him a chance since his sidekick, Aqualad, is a badass in Young Justice
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Comment by Denis McElwaine on November 16, 2011 at 11:45am -
As usual, a recommendation. I know as much as you do about Aquaman so I shall recommend Geoff Johns first book for DC which is Stars and Stripe. A fun book worth a read.
Disclaimer: I think it is his first book, I could be wrong.
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Comment by n8 on November 16, 2011 at 11:43am -
Great article!
Regarding Aquaman, I'd like to add something that a comic writer (I forget who) who explained why Aquaman was one of the most adaptable characters in the DCU. If you drop Aquaman without any tools in the middle of Gotham City, he could hold his own. but if you drop Batman without any tools in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he'd be in trouble.
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Comment by dream_the_sandman on November 16, 2011 at 11:12am -
I really liked this issue too, the whole meta thing of Aquaman being a lame and useless superhero was pretty enjoyable. Geoff Johns does the same kind of thing in JLA with Batman having no powers and not being able to do anything compared to the rest of the JLA members.
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