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Four Biggest Ways DC's 'The New 52' Has Changed Aquaman

Aquaman hasn't had his own on-going series in four years. With this new Aquaman book, in 'The New 52,' what are some of the notable changes with the character?

Aquaman has never really gotten the respect he deserves from the masses, and part of that is due to his appearances on the 70s cartoon Super-Friends. Aquaman was portrayed as a pretty worthless character who rode a giant seahorse and could talk to "fishies." Although he's had some incredibly solid comic book runs, throughout the years, that stigma still sticks with the character.

With the relaunch of DC comics comes a brand new Aquaman on-going series, one that hopes to break idea that Aquaman is worthless. The book takes place in Boston, where Aquaman may be taking up residence. Written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Ivan Reis, there's a lot of hype behind the book. and with hype, comes changes. There are a few here and there, but what are the biggest changes with Aquaman and the world he lives in that readers got to see in issue #1?

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Since we're getting a bit more in depth into the first issue, you may see some spoilers below so be warned. Aquaman is always a character who goes through some changes. At one point, he lost his hand and became a shirtless pirate, and another time he had a hand made of water, granted to him by the Land of the Lake. Aquaman is a character who deals with not only real and super-hero life, but he's delved into the mystical aspect as well.

== TEASER ==

Location

Aquaman may still technically be king of Atlantis, but in his own mind, he's done with it. It seems as though Aquaman will be spending most of his days guarding coastal cities, rather than fighting villains in the deep. No more "Sub Diego" or "King of Atlantis." Aquaman wants to focus using his abilities to help humans.

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Makes sense though. Aquaman is half-human, so you can understand why he wants to spend some time with his people, humans. This will only make the book better. Many people are turned off by a man swimming underwater fighting giant fish. Well, at least that's what they think the book used to be about. Aquaman spends 100% of his time in this book on land, and it seems like the majority of this series will be the same way, or at least Aquaman will try to live on land... until something pulls him back in.

He's Not in it for the Glory

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Most super-heroes enjoy the praise they receive from the people they save. Some even have a hidden agenda, whether it be avenging the death of a loved one or catching the eye of someone they secretly admire. Aquaman does what's right because it's what's right.

In a few scenes, within the issue, readers get to see moments where he interacts with the common folk. In the past, Aquaman was friendly, polite, and wouldn't mind talking to the humans around him. In this series, he isn't exactly responsive.

Aquaman, in short, is, well short with people. He does is duty and gets out quick. Even in situations where he wants to get a bite to eat, Aquaman doesn't seem to be the biggest fan of people chatting it up with him while he's trying to eat some old fashion fish and chips. He doesn't want praise for a job well-done, he wants to get on his way to more important matters, like lunch.

Well Defined Super-powers

Hey Aquafans! How many times have you gotten in a debate with someone about who's stronger, Aquaman or some other mid-level strong-guy, only to have the person, who knows nothing about Aquaman, think you're insane because "Aquaman can only talk to fish." Well, the first issue of this new series does a great job of defining Aquaman's powers. There's no more mystery to the character.

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Throughout the issue, the readers are treated to moments of Aquaman's awesomeness. Not only can the man take AK-47 shots to the body and head, but he can also lift an entire armored truck off the ground with ease. Later on, his whole "talking to fish" power is also explained, where he technically doesn't talk to fish. He "telepathically pushes them [sea creatures] to help [Aquaman] out." With a well defined power set, it will be easier for new readers to enjoy and understand the character, but one question still remains: Is there a water hand under that glove?

He's the Punchline to all the Jokes

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In the real world, Aquaman has been the butt of super-hero jokes since, well, Super-Friends. This never really got reflected in any of Aquaman's books, until now. There's a good amount of evidence that it's not just the comic book fans that don't take Aquaman seriously, it's everyone in the world, especially Boston.

Criminals laugh when they see him. Cops don't take him seriously (above). Even a local blogger gives Aquaman the 3rd degree. This is one tough obstacle to overcome for the former King of Atlantis.

More so than anything else though, the BIGGEST change with Aquaman, this time around, is that it is a well written book with great art. Geoff Johns has turned around Justice Society of America and Green Lantern in the past few years, and now he has his sites on Aquaman, and frankly, he and the art team, have the talent to take this book and character to the next level.

Are there any other changes you guys see with this book and character compared to his previous series? What did you guys think of the first issue?

92 Comments

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BloodTalon

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Edited By BloodTalon

This book is great I have all ways been a big fan of Aquaman this is a good take on the character and I am glad so many people like it.

I do have to say that my favorite depiction of Aquman comes from Batman Brave and the Bold in that cartoon he is very Hercules ish and is very entertaining.

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nrgb2814

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Edited By nrgb2814

Always thought all Aquaman needed was a good defining comic...... He's got one now. Thanks Geoff Johns

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frogjitsu

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Edited By frogjitsu

Sounds interesting. I may give this one a shot. I've been pretty opened minded about trying out the new books. To bad Aquaman doesn't have his Batman: Brave and the Bold demeanor though. I absolutely love that version of the character.

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Ganthetsward20

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Edited By Ganthetsward20

not on my pull list for the comic shop but i may get the trade and keep an eye on it.

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Knightwraithe

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Edited By Knightwraithe

Nice article...

All I can say (and I never in my life thought I would ever say it...) Aquaman is actually cool now.

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Larkin1388

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Edited By Larkin1388

@Eyz said:

Simply put:

Aquaman's now fun and badass!

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Benuben

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Edited By Benuben

@Coluber said:

I don't know much about Aquaman (beyond the Superfriends, and he wasn't the only victim of that show) but I was wondering if the people of DC want to make him exactly like Namor the Submariner? (but then, I don't know much about Namor either).


 

 
 Aquaman was closest to Namor (angry person, kind of a dick), when he was written by Peter David.The diffrence is, Namor is like he is for pretty much no reason. Aquaman had his son killed, his wife went insane, his people hated him ect.
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fodigg

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Edited By fodigg

This issue was a great primer on the character's abilities but didn't give us much character development to work with, didn't tell us anything at all about Mera, and didn't link up with the sea-monster threat at all.

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Ebonvoice

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Edited By Ebonvoice

@Wonder_Thunder said:

So Geoff Johns is taking the Hal Jordan/Barry Allen approach with Aquaman too?

"Tell everybody ______ is awesome until they agree with me, and if they don't, fuck them."

It's more like: "Make Aquaman awesome by making him relatable." Johns does this by confronting the misconceptions about the character. He's somewhat aloof, but not imperious like Namor. He dedicates himself on finding a life in Boston instead of trying to be King of Atlantis. And he DOESN'T talk to fish!

Aquaman is larger-than-life for the wrong reasons-- SNL, SuperFriends, Robot Chicken-- and Johns, in putting Aquaman on the street with the everyman, is cashing in Arthur's celebrity and stripping away the dork curtain that's shrouded him for the last 20+ years.

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Coluber

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Edited By Coluber

I don't know much about Aquaman (beyond the Superfriends, and he wasn't the only victim of that show) but I was wondering if the people of DC want to make him exactly like Namor the Submariner? (but then, I don't know much about Namor either).

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

Simply put:

Aquaman's now fun and badass!

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MisterParker

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Edited By MisterParker

@batman_begins: O_O here's to hoping Aquaman being bad@ss enough for equally you-know-what villains, eh? Without the water, of course.. wait what? Aquaman without water!? Aquaman?? Emphasis on the 'aqua' part. New suggestion, I motion that we demand Arthur doesn't become a fried fish on land by issue #5.

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Ebonvoice

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Edited By Ebonvoice

Got it. Loved it. Picking up extra copies. Want Vinnie Chase in the movie.

What makes this a masterpiece is the way Geoff Johns interweaves the public's misconceptions and disrespect of Aquaman into the story. Also, Arthur's divorced himself of the "Am I a surface dweller or king of the seas?" self-immolating angst. He's dug his feet into the sand (*snort*) and is taking a stand-- this Aquaman's got ba-- urm.. barnacles!

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XLR87T3

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Edited By XLR87T3

@KainScion: Honestly, I think he looks better with the beard; after watching that Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode: The Sword of the Atom, Aquaman has gotten 100% manlier. His deep voice, big muscles, cool sea speech "Great Neptune!", manly nose! He even showed off his manlyness by spending some quality time with Ryan Choi, the Atom.

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IamKryptonite

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Edited By IamKryptonite

@batman_begins:

Couldn't have said it better myself!

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SpidermanWins

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Edited By SpidermanWins

YEA!!!! AQUAMAN IS AWESOME AND NOW EVERYONE KNOWS IT!!!!!! TAKE THAT WORLD!

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garougrem

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Edited By garougrem

@MisterParker said:

I laughed so hard at the scenario and atmosphere which lead to the 'I DON'T TALK TO FISH' part!! Granted, I feel guilty because I'm one of the people who thought all of Aquaman's adventures were underwater and thus had no real connection or impact on the surface world. This is one of the 'New 52' series I know I'll be following! Buy it now, folks, before they run out of stock :D

Already is. I'm pretty sure it's going to go back to 2nd printing. Aquaman is all abuzz in the 52 world right about now. He just holds so much potential and now, with Johns at the helm, and with Reis and Prado with their gorgeous art and colors, the king is definitely back w/ a vengeance. Now that we've established his bad@ssery, we need to do the same w/ his rogues, i.e. Black Manta, Ocean Master, Tiger Shark, and perhaps a few new ones as well.

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MoonKnightFan123

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Edited By MoonKnightFan123

I must read Aquaman #1!

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Herx

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Edited By Herx

Must pick up this issue! Must find a copy! must read it! It's so OUTRAGEOUS! :)

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Bradley9in

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Edited By Bradley9in

I'm VERY surprised to say that my favorite New 52 was Aquaman #1. Never would have guessed that in a million years.

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RomanTheVampire

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Edited By RomanTheVampire

I couldn't love this book more!

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MisterParker

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Edited By MisterParker

I laughed so hard at the scenario and atmosphere which lead to the 'I DON'T TALK TO FISH' part!! Granted, I feel guilty because I'm one of the people who thought all of Aquaman's adventures were underwater and thus had no real connection or impact on the surface world. This is one of the 'New 52' series I know I'll be following! Buy it now, folks, before they run out of stock :D

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TheDynamo6

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Edited By TheDynamo6

it was definitely one of my favorites out of the new 52

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MooseyMcMan

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Edited By MooseyMcMan

The fact that even other comic book characters make fun of Aquaman is amazing.

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IamKryptonite

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Edited By IamKryptonite

I have to say they done an amazing job with this first issue. Anyone who's thinking of pick'n this one up should definitely do so. I don't think you will not be disappointed. It's one of a few of the 52 I gave a 5 just cause I can't wait to see what goes down in "The Trench" part 2. It's great how they have these citizens just F'kn raggin on him, hard. And you get this feelin that Aquaman doesn't really giva sh!t. He just goes in all ballz and gets tha job done. Fun read, and will re-read when #2 is out also!

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kal-el09

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Edited By kal-el09

I've never really given aquaman a chance, not that I didn't like him, he just wasn't really interesting; but this looks pretty good so I can't wait to pick it up

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Sharkey

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Edited By Sharkey

The creative team took a character I never cared for, and turned him to one I want to read about every month now. Bravo, and I look forward to #2!

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HombreMan

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Edited By HombreMan

"OUTRAGEOUS!"

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Cakeman3000

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Edited By Cakeman3000

I have so much faith in Geoff Johns especially because of his work on The Flash, and this first issue was simply amazing.

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wdchefdave

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Edited By wdchefdave

Always loved the trident! And, it looks like he gets to use it this time around. One question... where does he put the damn thing when he's not using it? (Kinda like that bat-a-rang question as to who goes around and picks those things up after the fight?) Wouldn't want a child or bad-guy to get their hands on that bad-ass weapon! Glad to see his "classic" look returning somewhat. Aquaman #28 August 1966 was the first DC comic that I bought with my own money. I was ten years old and Nick Cardy's covers could definitely get a kids' attention! I wish this series well!

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BuNKiTZ

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Edited By BuNKiTZ

Loved this issue! I'm not exactly an Aquaman fan but I've always liked the guy. I suppose I'll start learning to appreciate him even more with this series! That's gonna be pretty easy though, with great art and a great story! XD Also, I really hate how a lot of people think he sucks. Aquaman doesn't suck, he's cool! >_<

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KINCART

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Edited By KINCART

Would it have been so hard to give him a new costume?

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eregecardoso

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Edited By eregecardoso

I'm a huge fan of Mr. Peter David but even his Aquaman run I couldn't read. There's just something about Aquaman that I can't get past, maybe it's all the water? And I spoke in the present back there, right? Not anymore, the days of Aquaman sucking are over. At least for me.This Book? This was awesome. In all it's medium boldness. Really enjoyed it and the part where he acts a bit like an anti-hero with the shinning scaled armor is nice. The fact he loves to eat fish also indicates that more then anything Aquaman is a leaving begin and needs his Omega-3 fix, daily. When the blogger interviews Arthur, pestering him, I felt, for the first time ever, very connected to Arthur: I hate obnoxious people with already self-made ideas about everything and everyone who don't have the altruism to just sit and listen, or sit, not disturbing, and just watch. A very pleasant read!

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sa5m

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Edited By sa5m

I hope no more people will be mean to him now =)

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Clutch

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Edited By Clutch

nice!

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Jamiracles

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Edited By Jamiracles

I really do want to like Aquaman but he just reminds me of how much I like Namor instead. :/

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Praetor_fenix

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Edited By Praetor_fenix

So i wasn't the only one that really enjoyed Aquaman, that's great i was kind of ashamed, what really sold me is that, despite that he's the butt of all the jokes he still doesn't seem to take $"/%# from no one. I had never read an Aquaman Book, but this was a really great and fun book, it might have been on my top 3 this week.

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TheBuck

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Edited By TheBuck

I kinda want to read the this title now. Gonna have to wait for the 2nd printing.

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Lion_Heart22

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Edited By Lion_Heart22

Always loved Aquaman! Would be cool to see him telepathically control Supes or someone of that caliber like he used to do back in the day.

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Trodorne

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Edited By Trodorne

Ill be the one to admit this. but "come on guys, lets save the WHALES!". yes i was part of the bias against aquaman but I loved the time when he controlled a guy because of the water in his blood stream.

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monitor_earthprime

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I have ever issue of Aquaman from the early beginnings. I am happy that they are giving Aquaman his due, but I prefer him fighting in the water and as ruler of Atlantis. Seeing Aquaman on land fighting crime is just silly. If a writer is worth there salt, they could write him in his underwater kingdom.

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GREGalicious

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Edited By GREGalicious

I always liked AQUAMAN and i never really understood why he was so hated on.

I liked him with the "altered hand" tho...hook or enchanted water really doesnt make a difference to me.

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Wonder_Thunder

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Edited By Wonder_Thunder

So Geoff Johns is taking the Hal Jordan/Barry Allen approach with Aquaman too?

"Tell everybody ______ is awesome until they agree with me, and if they don't, fuck them."

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_Zombie_

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Edited By _Zombie_

Oh man am I going to enjoy showing this issue to my Aquaman-hating friends.

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sethysquare

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Edited By sethysquare

best issue of the week

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Ruvik_

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Edited By Ruvik_

its a great book one of my fav

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-Vigil-

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Edited By -Vigil-

@Samimista said:

@The Devil Tiger said:

It look awesome, I think I will buy it !

It's worth the money trust me this and Batgirl are the must read series so far of the reboot.

Um, except Batgirl (in my opinion) sucked. Easily one of the worst of the New 52. Perhaps you meant Frankenstein? :)

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-Vigil-

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Edited By -Vigil-

Geoff Johns? The above changes? Maybe I'll actually read this.

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Bobzenub

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Edited By Bobzenub

"Aquaman may still technically be king of Atlantis, but in his own mind, he's done with it."

Still, it would be interesting to see how Atlantis gets by without Aquaman at some point of the series.

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