Overall this was a good issue, but not great. I did feel a bit short. In the beginning Aquaman summons and rides some Sea Monsters for some reason, that’s not quite clear. Fastforward and Mera is trying to convince Arthur to leave Atlantis behind and start a new life with her on the surface, (even tho in Rebirth #1, Mera only wants to be on the surface for Arthur’s sake, maybe she’s tired of all the Atlantean stupidity?. Was there some character development we didn’t see?). Arthur is stubborn about her offer and decides to stay. Corum Rath, the nationalistic terrorist in Rebirth #1, is the candidate to usurp the current King. Apparently Arthur is too progressive for wanting to bring Atlantis out of the shadows and into the spotlight to ease tension between the worlds above and below the water. Arthur is ‘weak’ for stopping a war that was manufactured by a third party by ‘surrending’ to the United States, even though he did it out of strength.

Aquaman doesn’t go down without a fight, but ultimately is overwhelmed and flees. Immediately after taking the crown, King Rath uses a forbidden type of magic to issue in the “Crown of Thorns”. These crowns surround the city of Atlantis. The issue ends with Aquaman feeling from the Royal Guard, trying to beat the thorns from closing. To no avail, Murk stabs arthur in the back, and Arthur sinks towards the city.

This was a ‘Game of Thrones’ esque issue. Starting on #25, there will be a new artist, new appreance, and new adventure for our beloved King of the Seas. more