What’s different: Probably not a heck of a lot. Geoff Johns has been carefully setting up a new status quo for Aquaman since Blackest Night. I doubt he did all that with the intention to wipe it all away and start with a clean slate a few months later. The costume looks the same. Although like everyone else on the cover to Justice League, Aquaman looks a little younger.
Since we’re rolling back the clock a little, there are some potential changes. Will Aquaman and Mera still be married? With they retcon Arthur Jr. (Please oh please! I’m hoping for a new DCU without dead babies!) I expect Garth and Tula will still be dead and not wiped out of continuity entirely. But you never know.
The solicit contains a few meager clues:
“Aquaman has renounced the throne of Atlantis – but the sea will not release Arthur Curry so easily. Now, from a forgotten corner of the ocean emerges… The Trench! A broken race of creatures that should not exist, an unspeakable need driving them, The Trench will be the most talked-about new characters in the DC Universe!”
Aquaman renouncing the throne is nothing new. It may be a change to the status quo or we may just be rolling back to one of the umpteen million times he’s renounced the throne in the past. Obviously, The Trench are a new element. I suspect The Trench will be the first step in building up Aquaman’s world just as Johns has been building up the world of Green Lantern the last several years.
What’s the same: Odds are, just about everything. We’ve got the same writer and artist who have been primarily responsible for Aquaman since his return. Since Johns has been carefully crafting the world of Aquaman over the last year, I expect little to know changes.
The supporting cast will likely remain the same. Whether or not they are still married, Mera will be a major player. And the new Aqualad isn’t going anywhere. You can’t do an Aquaman book without Vulko. And I’m sure Black Manta will rear his ugly dome.
Chances for Success: This is where things get interesting. For years, people have said that Aquaman just doesn’t sell. On the other hand, selling unpopular characters is exactly what made Geoff Johns the most powerful voice at DC. Can he do it again?
Are you kidding? After teasing Aquaman from Blackest Night through Brightest Day, Johns has fans whipped up into an Aquaman feeding frenzy. This book is going to sell like crazy. I never thought I’d see the say.
Plus, Ivan Reis on pencils. This creative team could make My Little Pony a top ten book.
Final thought: With Johns writing Aquaman and Justice League and Aquaman appearing in both books, I expect Aquaman to take center stage in the DCU for the first time… ever!
Green Lantern: The New Guardians #1
Justice League International #1
I’m getting a HUGE “The Brave and the Bold” (Aquaman/Etrigan) vibe from “the Trench”, which is good, what the DCU needs is a bit of Lovecraftian squarmousness. It also bodes well for a Doctor Fate/Phantom Stranger/Justice League Dark crossover.
i know thanks to family guy and other comedy shows that are about to be canceled new readers and old reders are not gonna pick this up but i want to and there are others that feel like me so hopefully this works out. BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T MAKE BLACK MANTA WHITE PLEASE!!!!
Is that someting that’s rumoured to be happening?
If they were worried about the racial overtones of black characters being “Black X” then I’d rather they change his name to “Manta” than change his ethnicity.
Shrug.
Don’t they call him “Manta” as opposed to “Black Manta” about half the time anyway?