Aquaman #15 - Throne of Atlantis, Chapter Two

I thought this was a good issue the art was different but still good I liked that saw just how powerful Mera is when stopped that tidal wave from flooding the city also liked her new costume design I dont mind that Arthur made the those war plans when king of Atlantis because every country has contingency plans if there ever went to war can't wait see Aquaman go against the Justice League overall thought this was a good issue.

King Fish is quite strong, but I would reserve judgement in regards to a fight with the Tank Superman and Superior Warrior Wonderwoman.

King Fish would own Batman, Hal Jordan, Cyborg in a fist fight. Funny how Bats is literally useless but then who knows what he'll do, he'll probably hold the megaphone in case they need to make evacuation announcements.

So I decided to try Aquaman and Justice League today. And wow! I really enjoyed both very much. This is actually the first Aquaman comic I've ever read.

so its a must read i was told

@argusx: I doubt Batman could punch Superman without his hand braking (that was shown in previous continuity when Bats tried to punch Supes). Furthermore even if Bats could knock Supes back, he wouldn't be strong enough to punch him several feet back and have him break steel (as is shown in AQ 15) on impact.

That of course might not actually hurt Supes, but it affected him.

But what I think is that these scene just serves to show that "Atlanteans are clearly superhuman" in the DCnU.

It establishes that a full race of guys like Vulko is a threat.

And Aquaman being their most powerful member, able to survive drops from airplanes, explosions, bullets, electircity, heat, lift transatlantic ships, move at mach > 5 , etc etc plus wielding the weapon that actually made Darkseid bleed is a threat to anyone.

That's the bottomline I think.

@comicfan11:

Ah i get your point but how does Vulko punching Superman off his feat mean Aquaman could hurt him when guys like Batman could do similiar as it wasn't like Superman was bracing for it.

@argusx:

In Flashpoint (issue 4) they finally have their fight and AQ is beating her. And the Despero fight was also written by Johns, which clearly shows at what levels the character is according to the specific writer.

As for Aquaman being on Supes and WW level, well it doesn't matter what we think, but what the writer puts in a comic.

This is the NuDCU, a new continuity.

Whatever happens in the comics, is the norm.

We already saw Vulko punch Supes, and Aquaman is above any other Atlantean.

Johns with that scene already establishes that AQ can at least punch Supes and make him feel it, so the fight in next issue doesn't come as a surprise.

@comicfan11 said:

@argusx:Because for the last 20+ years Aquaman is way stronger than "10 times stronger than human" (lol)

He has floored class 100 characters numerous times.

Heck in the current JL (also written by Johns) he lifted an ocean liner which weighs hundreds of thousands of tons.

And it's nothing new. Aquaman under Johns was going 1 on 1 versus Despero.

Also in Flashpoint (also by Johns) he was beating Wonder Woman 1 on 1, until she was saved by Captain Thunder.

It's clear that Johns has made current Aquaman a powerhouse, but "fans" mostly talk about AQ without knowing about him.

Yeah i know he's stronger than other Atlanteans my point was that Atlanteans have always been superhuman and one simply showing above human strength should't be so shocking. And Aquaman in Flashpoint was attacking a WW who didn't want to fight and was trying to convince him to stop as she had learnt the truth plus the Despero feat is PIS which should be obvious. While Aquman is a powerhouse (class100+ underwater) he is not in the same class as WW or Supes and needs things like outside assistance, equipment or enviromental conditions just to stand up to them to any level.

@argusx:Because for the last 20+ years Aquaman is way stronger than "10 times stronger than human" (lol)

He has floored class 100 characters numerous times.

Heck in the current JL (also written by Johns) he lifted an ocean liner which weighs hundreds of thousands of tons.

And it's nothing new. Aquaman under Johns was going 1 on 1 versus Despero.

Also in Flashpoint (also by Johns) he was beating Wonder Woman 1 on 1, until she was saved by Captain Thunder.

It's clear that Johns has made current Aquaman a powerhouse, but "fans" mostly talk about AQ without knowing about him.

@comicfan11 said:

@Superguy1591: It's comics.

And also the NuDCU, meaning we don't yet how the JL members stack against each other.

But I'd still say laugh now, because you might not get the chance in a months time.

Superman already got the business from a normal Atlantean, so NuDC Atlanteans are obviously a bigger threat than you think.

Not saying AQ will beat everybody, but it seems a battle will happen and I bet AQ is not the one loosing this one

Why do you think that considering Atlanteans have always had low superhuman stats (10 times stronger than human's and twice that underwater), so one knocking someone Clark's size into the air isn't exactly shocking.

Okay, then. I will read JL 15 first!

Johns was doing a better job on Aquaman than JL. He should have continued with AM and leave JL to another writer who can write a better team book. And I agree with @entropy_aegis he made Batman a punching bag for the rest of the league.

@Superguy1591 said:

@comicfan11: Aquaman is going to beat Superman and Wonder Woman in a fight? I had a good laugh on that one.

@entropy_aegis: Don't know if I'll count the Cheatau books as an arc, but okay. And I don't know what wrong with Batman just being the team leader, but I'd like to know what exactly you would want Geoff Johns to do. Batman's villains aren't much of a challenge to the Justice League and other heroes need a chance to shine besides Batman.

@batnight: Probably, but somehow he went after Batman instead of the others.

He doesn't need to shine,just not come across as being there just cause he's Batman.

@Superguy1591: It's comics.

And also the NuDCU, meaning we don't yet how the JL members stack against each other.

But I'd still say laugh now, because you might not get the chance in a months time.

Superman already got the business from a normal Atlantean, so NuDC Atlanteans are obviously a bigger threat than you think.

Not saying AQ will beat everybody, but it seems a battle will happen and I bet AQ is not the one loosing this one

@comicfan11: Aquaman is going to beat Superman and Wonder Woman in a fight? I had a good laugh on that one.

@entropy_aegis: Don't know if I'll count the Cheatau books as an arc, but okay. And I don't know what wrong with Batman just being the team leader, but I'd like to know what exactly you would want Geoff Johns to do. Batman's villains aren't much of a challenge to the Justice League and other heroes need a chance to shine besides Batman.

@batnight: Probably, but somehow he went after Batman instead of the others.

@Superguy1591: Aquaman would do the same to superman or WW if he had to, he's not afraid of either of them if it came down to a fight.

Throne of Atlantis is off to a BANG!

@Superguy1591 said:

@entropy_aegis: I dunno, but what has Wonder Woman's role? When has it been shown? What's was Superman's role? When was it shown? What's Aquaman's role? When was it shown??

We know Barry is the heart of the team, Hal was the clown and Cyborg is the brains, but no one else's role is clearly defined. You're just made because Batman isn't Bat-God anymore, but when Batman was Bat-God who was prepared for everything, why were the other 6 members needed? Me personally, I love it. Bat-God always pissed me off. If Batman was prepped for everything, why is there still crime in Gotham?

I dunno,Supes and Wondy are dating each other,Wondy also had the Cheetah arc while Aquaman has the current arc devoted to him.

I'm not mad that Batman is not God,I'm mad that his presence on the team is just for sales,it's clear that Johns has no clue what to do with the character,other than shoehorning him in to the story just cause of Batman iconic status as a JL member.

Crime exists in Gotham so that you and I could read stories.

In all fairness, this and the most recent JL issue got me excited like hell. It's a complete 180 degrees from how JL has been the past year. It feels like Johns is finally putting behind the mandatory origin phase that came with the reboot.

Great issue.

Pelletier does his best to replace the best artist in the superhero business (Reis)

The JL trinity act like complete jerks here, not trusting AQ at all.

Can't w8 for Aquaman to fight the League, and thoroughly own them next month.

People still underestimate the most badass JL member, but next month should change that for good.

And we finally learn why Batman's voice is all gruff like he is choking all the time.

@entropy_aegis: I dunno, but what has Wonder Woman's role? When has it been shown? What's was Superman's role? When was it shown? What's Aquaman's role? When was it shown??

We know Barry is the heart of the team, Hal was the clown and Cyborg is the brains, but no one else's role is clearly defined. You're just made because Batman isn't Bat-God anymore, but when Batman was Bat-God who was prepared for everything, why were the other 6 members needed? Me personally, I love it. Bat-God always pissed me off. If Batman was prepped for everything, why is there still crime in Gotham?

@TheCrowbar: Johns better make him.

@Lamenoire: I don't think the Justice League gives a crap about diplomatic inmunity (Not that the king of Atlantis has any), especially after Mass murder and grabbing Batman by the neck.

Great issue and cross-over, but I kind of felt the dialogue, especially Aquamans, was ham-fisted and kind of stumbled around the issue.

@Superguy1591 said:

@entropy_aegis: He's the field tactician and he was voted team leader, is that not enough?

What tactics has he displayed? and meh on the team leader.Even Black Canary has been a JL team leader.

@TheCrowbar said:

I think on the cover it should've said: IN THIS ISSUE WE ALL LEARN HOW AQUAMAN FINALLY LOSES HIS HAND! (Look at the last page)

That was awesome! Well played!

My mate let me borrow this and Justice League 15 and boy are they amazing :D I hope the whole story will be put together in a nice hardcover collection.

@entropy_aegis: He's the field tactician and he was voted team leader, is that not enough?

@DarkKnightDetective said:

@entropy_aegis said:

I was really liking it,until the cliffhanger where Aquaman decides to grab Batman by his throat.Logically it does make sense,but it's been done to the death in a Geoff Johns book.But then it's not really a secret that his fanboyism exceeds his professionalism.

He is probably going to make Batman look like a hypocrite on purpose for not being on Aquaman's side when the rest of the League is giving him crap for making plans against them.

I was having the same thoughts.

@entropy_aegis said:

I was really liking it,until the cliffhanger where Aquaman decides to grab Batman by his throat.Logically it does make sense,but it's been done to the death in a Geoff Johns book.But then it's not really a secret that his fanboyism exceeds his professionalism.

He is probably going to make Batman look like a hypocrite on purpose for not being on Aquaman's side when the rest of the League is giving him crap for making plans against them.

@Superguy1591 said:

@entropy_aegis: Even after Johns threw Batman a bone and wrote Aquaman saying that he wrote his plans to take Batman down first before he even met him (As in, he's afraid of Batman more than Superman), you still think Johns isn't treating Batman fairly? First of all, obviously, Batman and Aquaman have worked out a plan that Superman and Wonder Woman aren't in on. Secondly, if Aquaman were going to attack Superman, Wonder Woman or Batman...he's going after Batman.

Unless you think Aquaman is stupid enough to try to grab Superman or Wonder Woman by the throat. -_-

Possible but it's just speculation,like I said it makes sense for him to go after the one with no superpowers .But it's getting tiresome to see Batman getting humiliated constantly in a Johns book.

I still dont understand why Batman in the team,he offers no dynamic,he's not gotten any character moments,he's clearly not the"prepared for everything Batman",he is no longer the tech guy,what exactly is his contribution to the League? Johns Batman is just there and he's a punching bag that's what's bothersome.

Overall I like this one as solid crossover.

I don,t get what you meant by that... O.0?

@entropy_aegis: Even after Johns threw Batman a bone and wrote Aquaman saying that he wrote his plans to take Batman down first before he even met him (As in, he's afraid of Batman more than Superman), you still think Johns isn't treating Batman fairly? First of all, obviously, Batman and Aquaman have worked out a plan that Superman and Wonder Woman aren't in on. Secondly, if Aquaman were going to attack Superman, Wonder Woman or Batman...he's going after Batman.

Unless you think Aquaman is stupid enough to try to grab Superman or Wonder Woman by the throat. -_-

I was really liking it,until the cliffhanger where Aquaman decides to grab Batman by his throat.Logically it does make sense,but it's been done to the death in a Geoff Johns book.But then it's not really a secret that his fanboyism exceeds his professionalism.

@OutlawRenegade said:

@Superguy1591 said:

@OutlawRenegade: Spider-Man and Wolverine have never knocked Captain America or Thor from Marvel's trinity, GL will not knock Diana off DC's.

DC's trinity is formulated around the idea that Superman is the first superpowered superhero, Batman is the first non-superpowered superhero and Diana is the most famous super-heroine.

No one will replace any of them.

Wrong. The trinity is made up of the three characters who sold the best in the 1980s. Nice try though.

The Trinity is actually made of the only superheroes who survived that massive comic book massacre after The Seduction of the Innocent. If they were made up of the most popular DC characters from the 80's, the Trinity would be Batman, the New Teen Titans and the Legion of Super Heroes.

Superman wasn't doing bad, I'll give you that, but his popularity decreased rapidly. There's a reason DC made The Death of Superman.

Wonder Woman wasn't doing bad, but she wasn't doing great either. She's always been just there, nothing else.

Amazing issue IMHO.

I feel like we're reading a classic in the making. I'd love to see this arc get the animated movie treatment.

@Superguy1591 said:

@OutlawRenegade: Spider-Man and Wolverine have never knocked Captain America or Thor from Marvel's trinity, GL will not knock Diana off DC's.

DC's trinity is formulated around the idea that Superman is the first superpowered superhero, Batman is the first non-superpowered superhero and Diana is the most famous super-heroine.

No one will replace any of them.

Wrong. The trinity is made up of the three characters who sold the best in the 1980s. Nice try though.

Well I'm glad I got this issue. I didn't think I'd find it as engaging as JL 15 but it was pretty entertaining. Love the last panel.

@OutlawRenegade said:

@xialei said:

That we get to have the Holy Trinity of DC (Supes, Wondy and Bats, respectively) witness Aquaman in all his badass-ness, make a strong case to consider Aquaman as possibly the 4th leg holding up the DCU coterie of heroes (GL and Flash are vying for that same spot).

I really like Aquaman, and this series has been great, but...

1)Hal already has DC's 3rd spot. GL, Batman, and Superman are the only DC heroes to have successful solo cartoons, and the only DC heroes in the Justice League with their own films. He's also the only solo hero other than Superman and Batman to have his own multi-book franchise. Wonder Woman has the 4th spot for her DC history and membership in the Trinity. Aquaman and Flash are battling for the 5th spot. Don't let one bad GL movie tell you otherwise. Before Hal even got a movie or cartoon, the Batman and GL franchises were DC's most profitable by far. Comicvine even published an article arguing that Hal should replace Wonder Woman in the Trinity. After one bad movie, fickle fans have started hating on Hal. After he comes back from the dead, I know he will reclaim his popularity.

2)Johns will probably leave Aquaman after this crossover even though there has not been an official announcement about it yet. It's what his track record says he'll do after a year (Flash, Hawkman, Booster Gold, etc.). He'll probably move on to a Shazam title. While Aquaman could be a big franchise, it's more likely that he'll slip back to B-List status once Johns leaves to continue world-building like the Chief Creative Officer should. I mean think about it. He has his baby, superstar franchise that might die without him right now (GL), so he's not leaving that anytime soon--especially since he's invested so much time in it and he's a fan. Justice League is the main book right now for money-making crossovers and big sales, so he's not leaving that for at least 8 more years. Then he fills out his last ongoing slot with characters he wants to build up for the DCU or other writers (Hawkman, Flash, Aquaman). The books in this last category he usually only stays on for about a year. I would give him one arc after Throne of Atlantis before he leaves.

Oh, and he's writing the Shazam back up too! And JLA I think. And he's co-writing Vibe. And apparently he's planning a Metal Men book. I've never seen a single writer take on this much work. When does Johns sleep?

He'll probably leave Aquaman for a Shazam ongoing title. If that true, hopefully Cyborg gets the Justice League back up slot.

Despite some of the issues in his writing recently, Johns is still proving that he's an excellent world builder for other writers to play in.

i am glad that someone else respect what Johns do!Many fans doesn't seem to understand what means to be the main world builder of a completely new universe!

@OutlawRenegade: Spider-Man and Wolverine have never knocked Captain America or Thor from Marvel's trinity, GL will not knock Diana off DC's.

DC's trinity is formulated around the idea that Superman is the first superpowered superhero, Batman is the first non-superpowered superhero and Diana is the most famous super-heroine.

No one will replace any of them.

Aquaman is smart, he saw Superman and Wonder Woman and he made the wise decision who he would mess wit. =D

@xialei said:

That we get to have the Holy Trinity of DC (Supes, Wondy and Bats, respectively) witness Aquaman in all his badass-ness, make a strong case to consider Aquaman as possibly the 4th leg holding up the DCU coterie of heroes (GL and Flash are vying for that same spot).

I really like Aquaman, and this series has been great, but...

1)Hal already has DC's 3rd spot. GL, Batman, and Superman are the only DC heroes to have successful solo cartoons, and the only DC heroes in the Justice League with their own films. He's also the only solo hero other than Superman and Batman to have his own multi-book franchise. Wonder Woman has the 4th spot for her DC history and membership in the Trinity. Aquaman and Flash are battling for the 5th spot. Don't let one bad GL movie tell you otherwise. Before Hal even got a movie or cartoon, the Batman and GL franchises were DC's most profitable by far. Comicvine even published an article arguing that Hal should replace Wonder Woman in the Trinity. After one bad movie, fickle fans have started hating on Hal. After he comes back from the dead, I know he will reclaim his popularity.

2)Johns will probably leave Aquaman after this crossover even though there has not been an official announcement about it yet. It's what his track record says he'll do after a year (Flash, Hawkman, Booster Gold, etc.). He'll probably move on to a Shazam title. While Aquaman could be a big franchise, it's more likely that he'll slip back to B-List status once Johns leaves to continue world-building like the Chief Creative Officer should. I mean think about it. He has his baby, superstar franchise that might die without him right now (GL), so he's not leaving that anytime soon--especially since he's invested so much time in it and he's a fan. Justice League is the main book right now for money-making crossovers and big sales, so he's not leaving that for at least 8 more years. Then he fills out his last ongoing slot with characters he wants to build up for the DCU or other writers (Hawkman, Flash, Aquaman). The books in this last category he usually only stays on for about a year. I would give him one arc after Throne of Atlantis before he leaves.

Oh, and he's writing the Shazam back up too! And JLA I think. And he's co-writing Vibe. And apparently he's planning a Metal Men book. I've never seen a single writer take on this much work. When does Johns sleep?

He'll probably leave Aquaman for a Shazam ongoing title. If that true, hopefully Cyborg gets the Justice League back up slot.

Despite some of the issues in his writing recently, Johns is still proving that he's an excellent world builder for other writers to play in.

I personally didn't have any issues with Pelletier's art, I've always liked it. The issue itself was pretty good, as always.

@xialei said:

The consistency in quality, both in the writing and art, on Aquaman in the New 52, just makes me so happy. I really love when second tier characters in both Marvel and DC, because when done right it allows for more daring storytelling and deeper character development. When so many titles in the New 52 still feel like the creators are trying to figure out their protagonist, Aquaman (and Mera) feels like it has solid footing.

I was concerned when we learned we'd be losing the Reis/Prado art team on this title, but Paul Pelletier has really upped his game. The art style is distinctly his, but there's a lot more detail in his rendering of action sequences now. He's a great addition to the creative team.

With issue 15, long-time readers of the title finally get the big payoff they've been waiting on. All the clues and hints we've gotten about Arthur's early history and his time as rule of Atlantis come crashing through to the surface (excuse the bad pun). We also come first circle with issue one, as his mysterious flesh-eating nemeses emerge once once more.

That we get to have the Holy Trinity of DC (Supes, Wondy and Bats, respectively) witness Aquaman in all his badass-ness, make a strong case to consider Aquaman as possibly the 4th leg holding up the DCU coterie of heroes (GL and Flash are vying for that same spot).

Can't wait to see more in 2013!

Highly recommend new readers to jump in the pool...

who is paying this guy? b/c that was an excellent overview. a tip of the hat to you sir.

gave it 4/5 some of the art could of been better. more explantion a war is comibg

I think on the cover it should've said: IN THIS ISSUE WE ALL LEARN HOW AQUAMAN FINALLY LOSES HIS HAND! (Look at the last page)

The consistency in quality, both in the writing and art, on Aquaman in the New 52, just makes me so happy. I really love when second tier characters in both Marvel and DC, because when done right it allows for more daring storytelling and deeper character development. When so many titles in the New 52 still feel like the creators are trying to figure out their protagonist, Aquaman (and Mera) feels like it has solid footing.

I was concerned when we learned we'd be losing the Reis/Prado art team on this title, but Paul Pelletier has really upped his game. The art style is distinctly his, but there's a lot more detail in his rendering of action sequences now. He's a great addition to the creative team.

With issue 15, long-time readers of the title finally get the big payoff they've been waiting on. All the clues and hints we've gotten about Arthur's early history and his time as rule of Atlantis come crashing through to the surface (excuse the bad pun). We also come first circle with issue one, as his mysterious flesh-eating nemeses emerge once once more.

That we get to have the Holy Trinity of DC (Supes, Wondy and Bats, respectively) witness Aquaman in all his badass-ness, make a strong case to consider Aquaman as possibly the 4th leg holding up the DCU coterie of heroes (GL and Flash are vying for that same spot).

Can't wait to see more in 2013!

Highly recommend new readers to jump in the pool...