Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
    Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Reveal promotional image

    Battlefield 6 Classes, Maps, And More: Everything You Need To Know

    07/31/2025
    A glimpse at all the upcoming Star Wars stories coming to the galaxy

    Star Wars Stories: What We Learned At SDCC 2025

    07/25/2025
    Blindspot episode still

    It’s been 5 years since ‘Blindspot’ ended. Why haven’t you watched it yet?

    07/24/2025
    Strange Scaffold

    Strange Scaffold Summer Showcase Delivers Bizarre And Brilliant Games

    07/22/2025
  • Fantasia Festival
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘Aquaman: The Becoming,’ Issue #2

REVIEW: ‘Aquaman: The Becoming,’ Issue #2

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings10/26/20213 Mins Read
Aquaman: The Becoming #2
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Aquaman: The Becoming #2

Aquaman: The Becoming #2 is written by Brandon Thomas, penciled by Diego Orlotegui & Skylar Patridge, inked by Wade von Grawbadger & Partridge, colored by Adriano Lucas, and lettered by Andworld Design. It is published by DC Comics. After the ending of the first issue, a terrorist attack has been attempted on Atlantis— and Jackson Hyde is framed for it! With Jackson on the run, the people of Atlantis question Mera about his whereabouts. But what does this attack have to do with Jackson’s Xebel heritage and the mysterious Deluge?

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

This issue has all the makings of a high-tension chase thriller in the vein of The Fugitive, with Jackson filling the role of Harrison Ford’s Richard Kimble. He has to fight off nearly every guard in Atlantis, and a page toward the end shows the toll that takes on him; his costume is covered in dirt, fresh wounds are bleeding on his face, and one of his eyes is swollen shut. Orlotegui & Partridge draw the hell out of the fight sequences, with a two-page opening spread depicting him as a speedy orange blur tearing through the various guards. Their take on Atlantis gives a distinctly aquatic element to its inhabitants’ clothing; many of the guards wear dark blue armor, and Mera wears a flowing white dress that looks made of coral to bed. Paired with Lucas’ bright and vibrant color art, the issue is a visual feast for the eyes.

Thomas’ script tackles the ever-present issues of prejudice, as two Atlantis guards believe that Jackson being a native of Xebel, is what supposedly led to his bombing the kingdom. Even Mera is put under suspicion as she was the princess of Xebel before marrying Aquaman. The fact that she’s trying to get her daughter Andy to sleep doesn’t even matter to them —though it does lead to a rather humorous sequence where everyone has to whisper around the baby. Andworld Design leans into this by depicting the words in everyone’s speech bubbles as tiny as possible, creating the illusion of whispering.

I do appreciate that the series is willing to tackle these themes, which only deepen its narrative. Jackson has long had to deal with the legacy of his father, Black Manta; the war between Atlantis and Xebel has only added to that baggage. When you factor in the fact that he’s an openly gay Black teenager, this adds an extra layer of meaning to his predicament; a Black kid being accused of something they didn’t do is way too familiar in the real world. And to top things off, his mother is keeping secrets from him, which also ties into the Atlantis/Xebel conflict. At times, this issue reminded me of a Young Justice episode—a series that also features Aqualad as a protagonist and features characters keeping secrets.

Aquaman: The Becoming #2 sends its hero on the run while bringing themes of persecution and prejudice to the forefront. With Jackson now considered an enemy of Atlantis, his road to becoming Aquaman will be more complicated than he thought.

Aquaman: The Becoming #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.

Aquaman: The Becoming #2
4

TL;DR

Aquaman: The Becoming #2 sends its hero on the run while bringing themes of persecution and prejudice to the forefront. With Jackson now considered an enemy of Atlantis, his road to becoming Aquaman will be more complicated than he thought.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Aquaman/Green Arrow – Deep Target,’ Issue #1
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Deathstroke Inc.,’ Issue #2
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Cover art for advanced review of Batman Issue 2

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Batman’ Issue 2

08/02/2025
Cover art from Batman Issue 1

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Batman’ Issue 1

07/31/2025
Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special’ Issue 1

07/30/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 9

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 9

07/23/2025
Cover art of Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 10

07/23/2025
Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 5

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 5

07/23/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Wildgate promotional key art
9.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Wildgate’ Is Co-Op Space Mayhem Done Right

By Adrian Ruiz07/25/2025Updated:07/30/2025

Built for friends and tuned for competition, Wildgate is messy in the best way: smart, surprising, and bursting with room to grow.

Glass Heart
7.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Glass Heart’ Offers Messy, Musical Catharsis

By Allyson Johnson07/22/2025

The musical drama series ‘Glass Heart’ soars when it focuses on the epic performances of it’s fictional band, TENBLANK.

Simon in An Honest Life But Why Tho
3.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘An Honest Life’ Is Terribly Dishonest About Its Own Politics

By Jason Flatt08/02/2025

An Honest Life is an overly severe misfire about a law student who falls in with anarchist burglars that can’t decide who it resents more.

World of Warcraft The War Within Ghosts of Karesh But Why Tho Interviews

‘The War Within’ Patch 11.2 Addresses Raid Trash, Magic-Focused Comps, And More

By Mick Abrahamson07/31/2025Updated:07/31/2025

WoW Sr. Producer and Asst. Lead Quest Designer address The War Within 11.2’s Manaforge Omega, Reshii Wrap rewards, and Mythic+ balancing.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here