A League of Their Own
Look, it's better than the Green Lantern banner because I get the point of this one. It's not hyping a movie that didn't need extra hype, and its for a good cause. But it doesn't change the fact that the "We Can Be Heroes" banner is a huge detriment to the covers its on. Or, whatever again. This cover has A LOT of blue, so it actually kind of works. I like the intense facial expressions on everyone, and the balance is ok. But where the cover really stands out is the way the artifacts on each character stand out. Not at first, but in a second glance they really just POP OUT AT YOU.
So let me get my gripes out of the way first, because I've been one of the harsher critics of this series. I mean, I haven't been bringing the hammer down, it's a good book, but I'm definitely more critical than most. That said, I'm going to end my review by saying this is hands down the best issue yet.
I... THINK I get the point of Kahine the Seer saying Salaam Alaikum to Black Manta, but.... I mean, sure, it means something along the lines of 'Peace be with you,' but in the context of a greeting. It just doesn't seem to work right here.
And The Others have two female members, one of them fully clothed, and the other dressed as scantily as possible. Guess which one dies.
And finally, The Others? What happened to them being "The Other League?" I liked that title A LOT better. The Others sounds a little cheesy, a cliche sense of 'mysterious, Woooooo.' The Other League had a lot of nice deeper meanings, Aquaman's other League besides the Justice League, League as in.... whatever ocean term, like 20,000 Leagues under the sea. Or distance term? Whatever. The Others is cheesy, The Other League is interesting and clever. Solicit still says The Other League. When and why did it change?
Oh, and when Black Manta takes off his helmet, for a moment his face is still a little shadowed. Maybe the shadows were meant to hide the scars we see on the next page, BUT THEY DON'T. The scars ARE NOT THERE when he first takes off his helmet. If you look at the spot where they are, that part of his face is the most clearly visible. AND NO SCARS. It's technically a tiny error, but one that really bothers me.
With that out of the way, this issue is EXCELLENT. Hands down the best yet. Ivan Reis is REALLY bringing his A game to his artwork here, and now I think I'm seeing why we can't have him on Superman, I don't want to dilute his quality here. The opening fight scene is straight up BAD ASS. Black Manta brings a storm of despair to Kahina, stalking her through the jungle with an awesome array of powerful weapons. His emotionless face, his extra levels of cruelty, everything. Black Manta is epic.
And the storm he brings emotionally takes form over the ocean. Aquaman is rescuing boats from the massive waves. And then the investigation begins. Aquaman actually subtly addresses his guilt over the slaughter of The Trench. What he doesn't say out loud is told in his face as he recounts the event. I'm so glad about the continued effect, because I was afraid Johns had dropped the ball on the moral ambiguity he teased during the arc. In fact, even this soon, all the bits and pieces are tying together. The Others (League), the sinking of Atlantis, Black Manta, Dr. Shin, The Trench; everything here is part of the bigger story Johns is trying to tell.
In Conclusion: 4.5/5
I had a handful of nitpicks, but for the first time I had no truly major complaints. I still remain firm that this isn't even in the top 5 of the New 52, it's a little too straightforward in its tone, but it's still VERY GOOD at what it does. I'd still say it could be in the top 10 overall, though it wouldn't be in my personal Top 10 due to personal tastes. Other series take those slots. But this is among the top tier of DC's current series. The first few issues had a bunch of flaws without any true deal breakers (save #6) but this issue has blown them all out of the water. Have I made enough ocean puns yet?
....Fish.