Ivan Reis has become one of my very favorite DC artists, as his style seems to invoke legendary artists like George Prez and Neal Adams. If anyone is a successor to their legacy, Reis is. His art has never looked as amazing as it does here, which might have something to do with Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, and Andy Lanning all contributing inks to Reis' pencils. I would say that Aquaman's newfound popularity owes as much to Reis on this book as it does to Johns. Without him, it wouldn't be nearly as exciting. I give this book a perfect 10/10! Read Full Review

Johns has fundamentally changed the game between Aquaman and Black Manta. While their histories still intertwine significantly, Arthur's former golden-boy status is gone and Manta's evil ways are no longer as arbitrary. Everything is better than the pre-'New 52' Aquaman and it shows no signs of slowing down soon. Read Full Review

The art from Ivan Reis is exceptional as always. I love the way he draws Black Manta. Just as Johns does with his story, Reis makes Black Manta look threatening. This isn't a goofball in a diving suit; this is a badass who is out to kill Aquaman. Reis also does exception splash pages as well great detail work. Look at the panels when Mera is using her power to control water, tell me that doesn't look amazing. Aquaman #9 is another huge leap forward not just for the hero but also for the New 52. Read Full Review

Ivan Reis nails the various action scenes and character interactions. While there's a slight inconsistency in style and quality due to Reis being inked by three separate artists, it's a slick and visually dynamic issue by any standard. Aquaman is really benefiting from having one of DC's best writers and one of its best artists in control. The series seems destined to only get better from here. Read Full Review

"Aquaman" #9 is a fine slice of what makes this series so very enjoyable, from story to characters to art, but being couched in the middle of "The Others," it is a bit thick to wade into. For fans already soaking in this series, however, this issue is certain to be a highlight. Without spoiling it, I can say that there are two eyebrow-raising surprises in the final two pages of this issue. Coupled with Reis' stunning artwork, this issue is a must-read. Read Full Review

Hopefully the day is fast approaching when the answer to "Which hero is gay or straight?" will be: who cares? Read Full Review

I'm enjoying what Johns and Reis are doing in Aquaman. The man from Atlantis is no longer a B or C-list hero any longer. I'm not left wondering why he's a member of the Justice League. He doesn't seem like a token member any more. I can't wait to see where Johns and Reis take the conflict between Black Manta and Aquaman in the next issue. Read Full Review

For those of you who remember Johns' superb early work on Teen Titans and the rebirthed Green Lantern, he's bringing some of that same magic here. Read Full Review

Once Johns got the introductory stories out of the way, I feel like the issues have really found their feet. Johns' writing is stronger now, and after developing the characters, he's free to create his own mythos. If his work on Flash and Green Lantern are any indication, he's setting up Aquaman to have its own event somewhere in the future, and if his past work can be used as a precursor, we're in for an epic story. Read Full Review

If this were a review of the last three of four pages of the comic, it'd be rated much higher. As it is, the fight scenes (while fun) were not all that different to what we've seen previously in this comic. With the gripping cliff-hanger Johns has left us with, though, #10 promises to be a must-buy. Read Full Review

The ending of this issue changes the dynamic between the hero and the villain forever. Read Full Review

Some questions are answered as some brutal action scenes are displayed. Another fine Aquaman issue by Geoff Johns (The Flash: Rebirth) & illustrated by Ivan Reis (Brightest Day) displays a killer last page. From DC Comics. Read Full Review

So, although the art does wonders for the book, Johns still manages to dampen the proceedings. There is a fundamental problem with the title when every other character is more interesting than Aquaman, even with the revelation of this issue. Reis manages to give Aquaman a personality, but his dialogue from Johns does absolutely nothing to cement this characterisation. Unlike Black Manta whose characterisation is handled well by both writer and artist. The time spent on more of Aquaman's background feels like filler and could have been delivered in one page. But scripting and dialogue problems have plagued this series from the get go and it won't change any time soon. But for now the art is fantastic, Black Manta is compelling and this plot isn't half as bad as the previous one. Read Full Review

Writing-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Art-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story-⭐⭐⭐⭐