Aquaman by Dan Abnett Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of Dan Abnett’s time writing Aquaman for DC Comics. It attempts to find the best way to showcase the narrative that stretches through this author’s time with the character.

This essentially goes along with the New Justice era of Aquaman’s history (Reading Order). So, if you’re interested in learning more about this narrative or just want an Aquaman by Dan Abnett reading order, read on to discover more.

What to Read Before Aquaman by Dan Abnett

Aquaman by Dan Abnett takes place after the majority of the New 52 Aquaman story arcs (Reading Order). This includes the entire Aquaman by Geoff Johns (Reading Order) run and a few other smaller runs after that. If you’re interested in reading these, you can check out Aquaman issues #1-48. However, you can feel free to skip issues #41-48, as those have little to no impact on Aquaman in the long term.

Despite this, you don’t have to read these other arcs first to understand what takes place here. The first few issues of Aquaman that Dan Abnett wrote help transition away from those earlier issues and prepare you for the next era in Aquaman history. So, you can easily just dive into the story in Aquaman Vol. 8: Out of Darkness and you’ll quickly understand just about everything that is going on.

Aquaman by Dan Abnett Reading Order

Writer Dan Abnett’s time with Aquaman stretches across three eras of Aquaman history. The story starts with the last few issues in the New 52 era (Reading Order), stretches through the entire Rebirth era (Reading Order), and concludes in the first few issues of the New Justice era (Reading Order).

In the New 52 era, Aquaman #49-52 brings the current Aquaman comic to a close. These final few issues wrap up the storylines that were currently taking place while also preparing for a new Aquaman series. These issues don’t get too deep into the Aquaman by Dan Abnett storyline but are essentially a precursor to it.

The Rebirth era is when the main Aquaman by Dan Abnett storyline takes place. Aquaman #1-40, Mera: Queen of Atlantis, and a few special issues tell a straightforward storyline about Aquaman, Mera (Reading Order), and all of Atlantis. This storyline disrupts the status quo in entirely new ways and overall has a serious impact on Aquaman’s position in the DC Universe. You can read this storyline all the way through and understand it without having to read anything else on the side.

Finally, the Aquaman by Dan Abnett storyline closes in the New Justice era with the Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth (Reading Order) crossover event. This is a crossover between this storyline and the Justice League by Scott Snyder storyline (Reading Order). For Aquaman, Mera, and Atlantis, this event serves as a conclusion to all of Dan Abnett’s storytelling. It finalizes the storylines from the previous era while setting things in order for the next one.

Notes

1. This issue is written by Dan Abnett and was released at around the same time as other comics from this list. However, unlike these other comics, this issue is just a fun and silly crossover. You can read it for the fun of it or skip it, as it doesn't add anything to the overall narrative from this era.

What to Read After Aquaman by Dan Abnett

Dan Abnett's time with Aquaman is immediately followed by writer Kelly Sue DeConnick's time with Aquaman. DeConnick uses all of the changes Abnett introduced as the basis for a new era of storytelling. This means continuing some plot threads while also introducing entirely new ones.

You can read Aquaman by Kelly Sue DeConnick by continuing on with the Aquaman series, in Aquaman #43, and reading until the series ends, with Aquaman #65. You can also follow along with our Aquaman by Kelly Sue DeConnick Reading Order for a more exact list of comics to read.

Aquaman by Dan Abnett Reading Order FAQ

Is Aquaman by Dan Abnett Good?

Aquaman by Dan Abnett is very good. The entire run details a gripping and exciting adventure that rocks Atlantis to its core. It also does a great job in exploring what makes characters like Aquaman and Mera tick.

Plus, on top of all of this, the art is great throughout the run. This is particularly true of the "Underworld" arc, which features some stunning art from Stjepan Sejic. This may be why the "Underworld" arc was collected in the impressive Aquaman: Underworld Deluxe Edition.

When does Aquaman by Dan Abnett Take Place?

Aquaman by Dan Abnett primarily takes place in the Rebirth era of DC Comics history and follows along with Aquaman's adventures in this era (Reading Order). However, the introduction to this run takes place at the end of the New 52 era and the finale takes place at the beginning of the New Justice era. You can see our Aquaman New 52 Reading Order and our Aquaman New Justice Reading Order for more details.

Is Aquaman by Dan Abnett in a Separate Continuity?

No, all of these stories take place in the main DC Comics continuity.

Is Aquaman by Dan Abnett Connected to Other Comics?

Aquaman by Dan Abnett takes place in the main DC Comics continuity and, thus, is connected to all other DC comic books. However, it doesn't make too many references to things that are happening in other parts of the DC Universe. Instead, it focuses on telling its own story.

The only exceptions to this take place during the Aquaman/Suicide Squad: Sink Atlantis (Reading Order) and Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth (Reading Order) events. These events directly involve things that are taking place in the Suicide Squad and Justice League comics respectively.