DC Comics reviews for 8/15/18

Aquaman #39

The second installment of Sink Atlantis is a reminder of how much fun Aquaman has been under writer Dan Abnett.

With Atlantis back on the surface, the Suicide Squad gets called in to nuke it back to the bottom of the ocean. Predictably not everyone on the Squad is in favor of this mission prompting a mini mutiny before Aquaman and his allies enter the fray.
Along with the Squad’s invasion, Abnett further explores the new dynamic with Mera as the Queen of Atlantis and her new role’s impact on her relationship with Aquaman.

I wasn’t entirely sure if I liked Mera becoming queen, but it makes so much sense casting Aquaman as a defender of the city instead of the ruler. It also allows him to be out front in the middle of big battles more sensibly.

Like his co-writing partner on this arc Rob Williams, Abnett has a good handle on the Squad voices with none of them sounding out of character. Small gripe: the Suicide Squad issue handed the story so nicely that the first few pages feel like a prolonged recap. This is for those who didn’t read Suicide Squad, but it was a bit too comprehensive.

Joe Bennett handles the art this issue. His work is always solid and he has some creative panel arrangements. He doesn’t get to show off too much on the action side, but it is well done.

We’re halfway through this small-scale crossover that’s been better than I imagined. Abnett and Bennett hold court strongly as they serve it back to Suicide Squad for the next installment.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10