AQUAMAN #13 (DC COMICS)
The Kingdom Of Atlantis is under siege!
While Aquaman is fighting his way through the “DC K.O.” tourney, Queen Mera is holding down the underwater kingdom. When a dangerous threat is advancing through the seven seas, Mera takes it upon herself to investigate. Who she finds at the end might be even too much for the Queen of Atlantis to handle.
AQUAMAN #13 by Jeremy Adams, Daniel Bayliss, Rex Lokus, & Dave Sharpe (DC Comics) casts the spotlight on Queen Mera for this “DC K.O.” tie-in
Let’s take a closer look at what unfolds here.
AQUAMAN #13 by Jeremy Adams, Daniel Bayliss, Rex Lokus, & Dave Sharpe (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Adams starts building up a very intriguing dilemma for this chapter. The opening moments throws back to a happier time with Mera. It provides a very small hint of what’s coming. When Nereus stumbles across her path, the mood changes instantly. Someone is making a power play on all the kingdoms. Based off his description, Mera is shocked to think it is her daughter, Andrina. The writing shows her in action taking care of some Parademons. It alludes to the overall plot, but nothing is as it truly seems.
The “DC K.O.” tie in is very brief. It is a mild preview of what happens in its’ latest chapter. It allows enough time to develop Andrina’s schemes. This moves events to a meeting within the Hall of the Kingdoms. Dialogue is tense as Andrina makes her proclamations. It is met with opposition. What happens next makes a bold statement to readers. The move adds to Mera’s desperate escape from attack. With a flashback sequence as its’ lead-in, the closing offers more mystery to the forming story. Adams leaves events off with a solid cliffhanger with much room to grow from.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Bayliss steps in for art duties this chapter. Mera’s childhood memories welcomes readers into the issue. It quickly snaps back to present when Nereus finds Mera. The anger brooding in the king is unavoidable. It quickly switches to remorse as the recollection of events starts to unfold. The art paints a dire picture with many questions surrounding it. This allows for the brief Aquaman pages to step in and segway to the next act.
Andrina’s fighting comes into focus . The full page image explodes with a vicious drive behind it. Readers watch as the princess is very comfortable in dishing out the brutality in name of Atlantis. The art cuts into the flashbacks at key times. It serves as a lighter moment before darker times take hold. Nereus’ retelling paints a hopeless picture. It meshes well with Mera’s escape from attack. There’s no dodging how tension is being built here. This mood carries into the Hall meeting. Andrina’s actions are ruthless in design. One panel makes a bold claim. That guides readers into the final pages. Once here, the last full shot closes the door on the issue with much wonder behind it.
FINAL GRADE: 8.4
While Arthur Curry fights in the DC K.O. tourney, Mera fights to keep the peace in her kingdom from a very familiar foe. Adams sets the stage with a curious antagonist via the writing. Bayliss and Lokus construct solid imagery to balance the past of Mera with her rocky future. A steady beginning to a tale with much room to expand from.
Let me know your thoughts on AQUAMAN #13 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
