Future State: Aquaman #1

Writer: Brandon Thomas Artist: Daniel Sampere Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: January 27, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 35
8.5Critic Rating
7.8User Rating

When Jackson Hyde accepted the mantle of Aquaman, he didn’t expect to also have to mentor Andy Curry, Arthur and Mera’s teen daughter. Nor did he expect that he and Andy would get sucked into the Confluence-an interdimensional nexus that connects distant planets and galaxies through the One Great Ocean. And he certainly didn’t expect to lose Andy in the process of trying to find their way back home. Now Jackson’s not sure how long he’s been stuck in a prison on Neptune (five years?) or how many times he’s tried to escape (200 at least!). But today Jackson saw something in the water that gave him hope for the first time in a long t more

  • 10
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Jan 28, 2021

    This was the Aquaman series set-up I didn't know I wanted. A shame we won't see more of it beyond this event, because it was fantastic. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Matthew Aguilar Jan 27, 2021

    All it took was one issue and one badass ending sequence to make this one of the best "Future State" series to date. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Black Nerd Problems - Morgan Hampton Jan 27, 2021

    The fact that I've been convinced to invest myself in the year of our Poseidon 2021 into an Aquaman book is proof that when there's representation on the page, backed up by representation behind the scenes, stories can be elevated at least one letter grade. But probably more. Read Full Review

  • 9.9
    Comic Watch - Matt Meyer Jan 26, 2021

    Future State - Aquaman #1 comes completely out of nowhere and delivers a perfect reading experience. Get ready for the next level, because it's here. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Tony Farina Jan 31, 2021

    Future State: Aquaman #1 is really good. Telling a story out of order does not always work, but the team here has dropped the mic. Beyond the fact that the title is misleading and no one is actually the color aqua, which seems like a big miss, this has a lot of legs and gills and fins. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez Jan 26, 2021

    Future State: Aquaman #1 is filled with great art, great action, intensely emotional moments, and an exciting Sliders/Quantum Leap-esque story with an edge. Despite only a few plot holes, the story is well-constructed, and I'm hooked to see what happens next. Where the heck was Brandon Thomas when the regular Aquaman title was running?!? Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    GWW - Percy Waelchl Jan 26, 2021

    Even though Thomas' narrative is narrow in scope, the characters he's created and the artwork create a title worthy of multiple reads. In a line of heavy, doom filled titles, Aquaman stands on its' own. The plot does not need to connect to other titles to create an enjoyable comic. This distance creates a meaningful breath of fresh air in DC's current event. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - Daniel Berlin Jan 26, 2021

    The Future State: Aquaman creative team have crafted a gorgeous, compelling new status quo for the Atlanteans, one that they deserve to be a part of as we enter the Infinite Frontier era. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jan 26, 2021

    Daniel Sampere does some great work with the art. There are some beautifully detailed panels throughout and the creatures and alien worlds are filled with new and interesting imagery. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    But Why Tho? - CJ Jan 26, 2021

    Future State: Aquaman #1 presents a look at the ups and downs of inheriting a legacy and takes a dive into science fiction territory with its story. Unlike the other Future State stories, this issue has no backup story-presenting a breezy yet entertaining read. I'm intrigued to see how this story concludes in its second half. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jan 26, 2021

    This is a comic that has a lot going for it, but it goes in some very strange directions too. Writer Brandon Thomas is best known for dark, challenging indie comics. He's never written an Aquaman story here, but he slips into the mythology pretty neatly for a story focusing on an older Jackson Hyde. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu Jan 29, 2021

    It gets deeper than this as Jackson Hyde accepts the mantle of Aquaman while fearing its cost him everything. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Robert Reed Jan 27, 2021

    While the majority of the book focuses on Jackson's tale, the back half of the issue turns into another escape scene, and it's here that the comic stumbles. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Multiversity Comics - Gregory Ellner Feb 1, 2021

    Although elements of this first half of "Future State: Aquaman" are intriguing, the art alone is not enough to bring together this first half of 'The Confluence.' Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jan 26, 2021

    The art makes it worth a look, but the story fails to hook me on either Jackson or Andy. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    I Review Comics Feb 17, 2021

    I've never read an Aquaman story that really resonated with me. The film made me a fan of the character but none of the material I've consumed since the movie dropped made me want to actually invest in the character. The Irony is that Future State: Aquaman is the best Aquaman comic I've ever read and Arthur Curry doesn't even appear in the book.

    The comic follows Aqualad who has graduated to the role of Aquaman. I've never read an Aqualad story either so this issue was my first experience with this character aside from seeing screenshots from the Teen Titans animated series. In this issue, he acts as knight and protector for Aqualass the daughter of Arthur Curry and Mera.

    The comic moves back and forth within the Futu more

  • 9.5
    Antenovial Jan 26, 2021

    Aquaman is the surprise I didn't know I needed, the title wasn't initially on my Future State pull-list, but Andy's portrayal in Justice League convinced me to try it out. I'm glad I picked it up.

    Brandon Thomas explores the relationship between Andy and Jackson as they fail to capture a villain and is then strengthened when they find themselves in an impossible situation. A whole new world (or rather a whole new ocean) to explore is revealed that forces them onto an adventure they didn't want to go on.

    Daniel Sampere on art is awesome. There is no line that feels out of place, no awkward poses, and no space wasted. This is one of the most beautiful titles Future State has to offer. Adriano Lucas on colors enhances the more

  • 9.0
    Swift Planet Mar 30, 2021

    Turns out I like Brandon Thomas.

  • 9.0
    Kaseladen Jan 26, 2021

    Actually a positive surprise, this is a solid title with solid art. Probably the best Future State title (not a high bar) but I would recommend this

  • 8.5
    TheKize Jan 28, 2021

    Forward moving action with emotional resonance. After just one issue, I feel like I've been reading the adventures of Jackson and Andy for years! Where's that new Aquaman ongoing series, DC?

  • 8.5
    Nihilist Jan 27, 2021

    I've never followed Aquaman comics up close, not conting the beginning of Geoff Johns' New-52 run, but I have to say, I'm hooked. This is an intense fast ride start to finish, and one that unlike many Future State books feels like has actual stakes.
    Sure, the main two characters discovering The Confluence is a bit wonky, but I can't blame Brandon Thomas for rushing the plot, since the event is going to conclude the next month, so obviously everything has to be done quickly.

    What makes this comic stand out even more is the art. Daniel Sampere did fantastic job here. Every character is expressive, detailed and unique. You can actually see his talent and passion flowing through each and every panel. It's just mesmerizing, simpl more

  • 8.5
    Onomatopoeia Jan 27, 2021

    Well alright then, that's how you start a series. Reminds me of the second season of Reboot (if anyone can remember that...). Thomas makes me interested in these characters, gives me something to look forward to, and also sets up a cliffhanger that I actually want to be resolved. Definitely a gem in the Future State failure.

  • 8.0
    Amazing Psycamorean Jan 26, 2021

    I was surprised that I enjoyed this.

  • 7.0
    Spacey Medicine May 10, 2021

    Not bad.

  • 6.0
    JHugh Mar 17, 2021

    Artwork was great, parts of the story were ok. Just left me feeling, meh and not wanting to read the next issue. I had higher expectations, this isn't the Aquaman I want to read. Aqualad is simply weak and lame.

  • 5.5
    DiRT May 13, 2021

    It’s not that Future State: Aquaman #1 is a bad comic book, the problem is that it doesn’t really do anything of value. For a book that gives us our first glimpses of Arthur and Mera’s child, Andrina “Andy” Curry, grown into adolescence and having her own adventures, the story does nothing to make the character interesting – or memorable – or even present for most of the story. Instead, we’re stuck with Jackson Hyde – though there’s no telling if the Infinite Frontier is allowed to bring back the version readers enjoyed from Brightest Day or if we’re still stuck with the retconned version readers rejected from DC Rebirth.

    In the end, it doesn’t matter since this issue doesn’t really give him much to do more

  • 5.5
    Merlyn Jan 26, 2021

    Great art, okay story.

  • 4.0
    pizzamain Feb 7, 2021

    genius level writing to open a story in the middle of an argument lol

  • 10
    canister Apr 25, 2021

  • 10
    Bruno Mael Jan 28, 2021

  • 10
    FlipGeek Jan 26, 2021

  • 9.5
    Hellblazer Mar 2, 2021

  • 9.0
    retcon_D Feb 13, 2021

  • 9.0
    BitchWitcher Jan 26, 2021

  • 8.5
    Pantheon36 Feb 7, 2021

  • 8.5
    gui Feb 2, 2021

  • 8.5
    Radar Jan 29, 2021

  • 8.5
    Swanktub Jan 27, 2021

  • 8.5
    TheKing Jan 26, 2021

  • 8.0
    BatSlayer Feb 20, 2021

  • 8.0
    Comix4fever Feb 12, 2021

  • 8.0
    Watchtower022 Feb 6, 2021

  • 8.0
    Jason The Dude Feb 2, 2021

  • 8.0
    tonpas1989 Jan 27, 2021

  • 8.0
    jrjoanes Jan 27, 2021

  • 7.5
    hanry1998 Mar 22, 2021

  • 6.5
    Adsun22 Nov 26, 2022

  • 5.0
    SenpaifenixJäger Jan 26, 2021

  • 4.5
    TheBest Jan 28, 2021

  • 4.0
    KnM Mar 23, 2024

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