Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2

Emperor Aquaman is still hellbent on killing the Amazons. He mounts an attack on England which has now been raised out of the water and is up there in the sky. And while the poor sods who get to try to kill Terra are climbing a mountain that is half a mile high, Aquaman remembers his roots.
 
The Good

• The Art: It's nice, it's solid, it's cool to look at. In contrast to the main book, they actually do manage to make a clear distinction between the star of this book and his regular universe counterpart. This Aquaman is bulkier and looks a whole lot more like he could mess you up.
• The characterization: It does help, though, that the writing is not taking after the characters we're used to. Sure, they use the same phrases - Diana in particular still feels like Diana in her essence - but you can tell that these aren't the same people. With Flashpoint Batman, this difference is nonexistant unless Batman is killing someone or talking about Bruce.... or saying "Mrrrr..."

 
The Bad

• Nothing really happens. This issue is more about giving depth to characters. Once more, I do wonder whether or not it's worth it in a three issue miniseries about characters who will be changed drastically again in a very short time. It's nice to see and an enjoyable read, but couldn't this time and space spent on something that actually drives the plot forward? I have my doubts that this is the only thing that's happening in the DCU involving Aquaman.
• The whole point of the kill team is what exactly? They're climbing up half a mile to kill Terra who has raised the British isels up into the sky. Now let's assume that they manage to get Terra. Then what? England isn't just suddenly going fall down into the sea again, is it? Mountains don't work like that. Or are they trying to kill her because of her value in battle? It would have been nice to tell us that. In general, it would have been nice to know Aquaman's plan, because like this, I can't help but think that Aquaman has no clue himself.
• Why is it established that Aquaman can talk to fish when he never uses this power?
  
• The panels. There are two instances of where I'm really confused as to why the panels are aranged the way they are. One is where you only see Terra's upper torso and her head, the other is where the shimmering water pattern extends into the void where - oddly enough - Aquaman is standing.
• Creepiest bloody baby ever! Seriously. You can't just draw an adult's face on a baby's body and then expect people to not have nightmares about it for the rest of their lives. 

The Verdict
It's a good issue. It's a quick read with little to nothing happening. Three dollars well spent though, as it's nice to look at and you don't feel like you've wasted your money. However, it would be nice to get at least an idea to see how much the tie-ins will have to do with the final storyline.