Brightest Day #20
The best thread of Brightest Day reaches it's finale as the Aquawar comes to a close. A maimed King of the Seven Seas is rescued by the calvary, Mera and Aquagirl. And Jackson finds out just how dedicated to all out douchery his father is. But as big a bastard as Black Manta may be, he's effortlessly out douched by the Entity.
The Good
I love the moment where Jackson sees just how sick and twisted his father is. His reaction to his cold, heartlessness is perfect. In fact, throughout this series he's been perfectly written and characterized, especially in this particular issue. He truly reads and acts like a teenager thrust into this insane situation. Everything from his smitten reaction to Aquagirl and his soul stricken look when his father prepares to strike the finishing blow on him are pitch perfect. I hope writers continue to use him after this series and write him with the skill that John's and Tomasi have.
Aquaman's always been seen as a walking punchline by the larger comic fan community. And Admittedly I too was one of those people who never took the guy seriously (I mean seriously? How could you with that garrish outfit?), but Johns and Tomasi have managed to make the character as awesomely badass as the ruler of 3/4 of the planet should be (though I'm still taking Namor in a fight). What do you do when your hands been removed, you're bleeding out, and surrounded by a blood thirsty arm who has a particular affinity for yours? Well according to the Arthur Curry School of Bad Assery's student guide; Step one-Cauterize the wound, Step two-Pick up your trident, and dispense heaping helpings of whoop ass left and umm...further left. This is Aquaman as he always should've been, people. Now let's get the hook back, the long hair/beard combo, and scrap the orange shirt.
As awesome as Aquaman is this issue, it's Mera who manages to steal the show. She proves herself a worthy Queen when she goes all Avatar state on Siren's army. Mera, more or less, water bends the coast line as far as the eye can see, singlehandedly turning the tide of the battle.
I love that when Aquaman summons reinforcements all the sea life are zombies. Zombie Sharks should make as many appearances as possible in all mediums...now if only he can find away to attach lasers to their heads. He should get Mr. Terrific working on that asap.
I love the way that Aquaman accepts Mera once the smoke settles. I like this new "Aqua Family" and hope that many tales involving them will be told in the future. So many interesting stories could come about from the interaction of these four characters.
Reis really gets down this issue! His work this week make's last week's look like the ugly sister, and that's saying something people. Too many artistic highlights to name this issue, just take your pic. Black Manta standing over Aquaman poised to lower the boom. The splash of Mera manipulating the OCEAN!!! The splash of Aquaman leading the charge against the xebel army with zombie hoard in tow. Aquaman and Mera's post battle reunion. Any of these moments is a viable choice for best of the best this issue.
The Bad
The idea that four people two of which are teenagers one of which is fresh to warfare would be able to defeat a trained army is a bit much for me and pushed my suspension of disbelief to it's limit. Though conversely when you've got a unit of zombie sharks on your side what isn't possible?!
Loved the art this issue, but I did have a problems with it in spots. The look on Aquaman's facial expression and the solitary tear running down his face just don't jell together. I mean he's practically scowling but has one of those lonely tears from an 80's video. I imagine that in his head he's hearing a mixture of The Cure and the sound effects from Rambo: First Blood. Also Mera crying under water at the end of the issue stuck me as silly. Though an appropriate reaction to what the Entity does (more on that later), I can't get pass wondering exactly how one does manage such a feat.
So yeah, the Entity's a class a asshole. After restoring Aquaman's life (and you know, opening the Bermuda Triangle) he Hawks him (see what I did there?). The Entity's actions are making less and less sense, especially considering that it's let threats to life like Max Lord and Zoom stick around after completing their tasks.
The Verdict
Buy this comic!!!
Brightest Day has been surprisingly consistent quality wise for a biweekly event comic. This is highly commendable considering just how many story threads run throughout it's tapestry. This issue manages to close out the strongest of these threads in a manner most worthy. I was beginning to worry about the direction of this series after a few issues in a row left me unmoved or outright irate, but John's & Tomasi seem to have found their groove once again.
