REVIEW: ‘Aquaman’ Issue 11

Aquaman Issue 11 is published by DC Comics and written by Jeremy Adams, art by Nimit Malavia, colors by Rex Lokus, and letters by Dave Sharpe.

This issue is a tie-in to the DC K.O. event. Aquaman faces the forces of Darkseid at the bottom of the ocean.

Aquaman 11 truly begins in the middle of other adventures, which can make it difficult to get comfortable. The characters are scattered, and the timelines are protesting. For those caught up with Adams’ Aquaman run, it makes a lot of sense, but for those tuning in to the K.O. tie-in, there is a lot to learn. To his credit, Adams explains much of what’s happening through narration.

The story splits into two. Mera is off on her own mission, whilst Aquaman is fighting alongside a team of aquatic warriors, including a grown-up version of his daughter, Andrina. It’s here that the connection to the blockbuster event is most prevalent, taking place before the heroes leave for the Tournament.

The fight scenes are exciting, showing that Darkseid’s forces are already causing havoc on Earth. There are multiple confrontations, venturing from the surface of the sea to its deepest depths. And there’s the fact that Aquaman is now the conduit for the Blue, the elemental force. In a way, it gives him an even more formidable position in the defense of the Earth, as he is in control of one of the forces that reside on it. It also gives him significantly more power, which is evident by the end of the issue.

There is a large cast within Aquaman Issue 11. Many of Aquaman’s supporting cast, old and new, make appearances. Aquaman has the essence of someone who understands the magnitude of the situation. He’s noble, brave, and experienced. His roles as king, leader, and father have made him surly and serious. Such a mixture of voices accompanies Arthur. There’s the Justice League Blue, a selection of heroes that have been patrolling the waters and fighting Parademons that have been popping up everywhere.

Darkseid’s forces are creating something that threatens all water on Earth. The myriad of characters are fun and varied, including one of the Wonder Twins and a giant, humanoid hammerhead shark. It’s a busy comic that enjoys a team-up. Andrina, a more mature warrior, is fascinating. We’ve only ever known her as a tiny baby, so to see her as a fighter with a fierce expression and palpable glee when it comes to killing is surprising.

The art is phenomenal, energetic, and feisty. There’s a cartoony vibe to Malavia’s art style, one that gives the pages an incredible sense of movement. When Aquaman and Andrina are torpedoing through the water, their narrowed features convey their speed. All of the other heroes and villains look terrific. The Parademons look both goofy and menacing, with bug-like expressions and pilot headgear.

The action is magnificent. The Parademons are treated like putty, pummeled by the fists and weapons of heroes. The blurring of tridents as the characters swing clears space, again showcasing speed. The most intriguing design is that of Andrina. She is a real blend of Aquaman and Mera. Her father inspires the costume and weapon, but she is the spitting image of her mother.

The colors are beautifully vibrant. The whole issue is bright, with the entirety of the chaotic scenes visible. The iconic orange of Aquaman’s costume is now present on two figures, as is Mera’s intense red hair. The variety of shares for the blue of the sea not only makes it look magical, but also creates distance and texture for the water. The lettering is interesting as there are three different narrators: Arthur, Mera, and Zan the Wonder Twin. However, the caption boxes are color-coded to help identify who is narrating.

Aquaman Issue 11 throws the readers in the deep end. It’s a shock to the system for newcomers to the series, with numerous storylines running through the comic without pause to build up to the event. That, twinned with a vast cast, can make the comic tricky to get into. However, for those who have been following the run, derailing the whole series to tie in to an event every few months can make the story disjointed, so it’s a delicate balance for Adams to manage. The second half of the issue carries energy and action, forging a connection between DC K.O. and all the ocean-dwelling heroes.

Aquaman Issue 11 is available where comics are sold.