Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The fourth volume in D.C Comics excellent revival of Aquaman brings all the facets together as if the running of a thousand taps had finally found a deep crevice in which to conjoin and multiply in. By bringing all these together and with the exceptional writing and artistry of all involved, it should be noted that Aquaman, the stuff of much unnecessary hilarity due to the poor nature and lack of respect shown the individual in the past; is arguably one of the most interest characterisations in the last 40 years of publications by D.C.

Aquaman: Death Of A King is perhaps the highpoint so far in the range of Graphic Novels under the banner of the New 52 range to deal with the legend of the half Human, half Antlantean. The way Geoff Johns weaves the tale together and with much skill leaves the reader feeling troubled by the thought of what could appear from the bottom of the oceans, considering we as a species know more about the space beyond the atmosphere than we do what lurks more than a few feet beneath the surface of the waves, it somehow sticks at times terrifyingly deep in the craw.

With Aquaman’s half-brother, the deposed King of Atlantis, still awaiting trial on land for his part in the genocide of the people of Boston, Arthur Curry has to deal with enemies within his own royal household, the spectre of Mera, one of the finest female leads aside from Wonder Woman to grace D.C. Comics, and her secret and the return of a centuries old king who has risen to reclaim the throne away from the one man who can bring peace to the seven kingdoms and to the surface world.

Aquaman: Death Of A King has so much going on within its tightly bound covers that at times you do fear that Geoff Johns might just lose control of the way the story threads dangle. However, this is a writer who is a terrific boon to D.C. Comics, perhaps one of the most liberal of comic idealists to ever supply stories for the company and on a par with some of the all-time greats to work in the mainstream big two publishing houses. His free thinking approach to the development of Aquaman, from comic joke to comic legend is inspiring and on the basis of just his work on this particular title should certainly be given the chance to write the film script, should D.C. ever finally allow one to happen.

In an age where the precious eco-system in which we share with an untold multitude of species is under increasing threat, to have a hero in which to look up to, rather than the sometimes shadowy nasty tang you feel when reading or watching anything to do with Superman or the darkness that comes through, albeit brilliantly handled, with Batman, Aquaman is a comic necessity that can transfer much thought and positive energy into environmental issues that we face on a daily basis.

Aquaman is rejuvenated hero fit for purpose in a way that many have become antiquated and tired. A superb read.

Aquaman: Death Of A King is available to purchase from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.