Black Manta is back for the first time in the new 52! What could be up to this time? And who are the Others?
The Good
Black Manta is back! The redesigns are subtle but great. I love how the scar on his face is incorporated into the mild designs on his costume. Manta, all around, is much cooler in the redesign. He keeps his cool and he's stoic. He doesn't spend the whole battle talking. He only speaks to convey his message and nothing more. He's brutal and has a cause behind his actions. I love everything they've done, so far, with this classic Aquaman villain.
The Others? Aquaman on a team? I love it. We don't get too much information about this team, and it seems like we'll have to wait until next issue, but I love the idea of Aquaman on a non-JL team, and especially the idea of him leading a team, which is where this seems like it's going. I'm very excited to be introduced to all the characters on this team, especially some new characters that have a secret history tied to Aquaman.
Month-by-month, we're getting more and more information about the history of Atlantis and what really happened to it. I love the pacing of this story. It is also slowly connecting back to The Trench which Arthur thinks he killed back in issue 4. I can't wait to see them again, and maybe how they tie into the sinking of Atlantis, if at all.
The Bad
I have to wait a month for the next issue.
The Verdict
Once again, Aquaman delivers! This is such a great book, and if you're not reading it then shame on you because you're missing out on a great character with a great story featuring the writing of Geoff Johns and the pencils of Ivan Reis. It's a book the lives up to the hype.
I loved Black Manta's redesign, and he's the perfect addition to this on-going storyline. I loved the idea of the Others and Aquaman on a non-JL team, even though we don't know much about the team yet. The pacing of the over-arcing "Sinking of Atlantis" is done perfectly and it really keeps the reader interested month-to-month by giving just enough information away.
I love this book and you will too.