Aquaman #41

by Kalem Lalonde on June 24, 2015

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Trevor McCarthy 

Aquaman was one of my favourite titles of the new 52 line and I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous for the new creative shift. Anyone who still feels reluctant about the new shift should feel at ease. Cullen Bunn and Trevor McCarthy give us an amazing and exciting debut issue that holds up to the best of DC’s new line.

Cullen Bunn’s premise seemed simple in the solicitations, Aquaman has been exiled from Atlantis and has gone rogue. That alone would’ve made a great comic, having our hero on the run from his people but Bunn adds more to this storyline. He tells his story through past and present and he deals with its two different aspects. The past sets up Aquaman’s exile wonderfully as it creates an amazing story on its own and the future is all about our lone ranger.

Through the latter, Bunn makes Aquaman the most badass he’s been since Geoff Johns left the title. His new costume, and the way that Trevor McCarthy draws his action sequences make him an extremely powerful looking character. But what really makes Aquaman stand out as a hero in this issue is his vulnerability. His wife is hunting him, he hasn’t seen home in 3 months, and he’s forced to take drastic measures that seem to be haunting him. This all makes Aquaman an extremely relatable character and a powerful driving force for this series.

Trevor McCarthy handles the art duties and vividly brings Bunn’s script to life. With creative paneling, fluid action and amazing character designs, McCarthy proves to be the perfect artist for this book. We were blessed with Ivan Reis and Paul Pelletier and despite a bit of inconsistent facial work, we’re also blessed with Trevor McCarthy.

I don’t think many comic readers still look at Aquaman as DC’s laughing stock. He’s become a very well respected character in the new 52 and it looks like Cullen Bunn is here to make sure that status remains. Bunn portrays Aquaman as a vulnerable and powerful figure that feels more human than ever. Aquaman #41 shows Bunn taking over the world of Atlantis with ease as he excellently begins what is likely to be yet another memorable Aquaman run.  


 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside