Review: Aquaman Vol. 4- Underworld

Quick Summary

Pros: The premise is interesting right from the start and creates a narrative full of tension. Interactions between characters are great. The conclusion provides a great segue into the next story arc. The artwork is incredible and depicts gorgeous characters and locations.

Cons: The pacing is a bit too fast in some small places.

Overall: This is a book that succeeds in both story and artwork. This collection has action, intrigue, drama, and plenty of compelling tension. All of this is then enhanced by imaginative artwork that looks great and also helps set the perfect mood in every scene. Anyone who enjoyed the previous Aquaman volumes or who is looking for a solid story to jump into should consider picking this book up.

Story

Aquaman Vol. 4: Underworld, by Dan Abnett, continues the captivating storytelling that has dominated the Aquaman Rebirth comic series. This comic starts out with an interesting premise, fills it with a tone of tension, and eventually boils over to a conclusion that is sure to get readers excited for the next volume. Meanwhile, smaller moments between the larger mechanisms keep things entertaining by providing action, character development, and even a twist or two. Overall, this is a solid read and the start to a story with a ton of potential.

(spoilers start here)

Underworld picks up a few weeks after the conclusion of Crown of Atlantis (Review). Arthur has been deposed as king, Mera is locked outside of the city, and a xenophobic villain sits on the throne of Atlantis. This premise is immediately tense and interesting, as it sets the heroes at a serious disadvantage and leaves the reader wondering how they will ever be able to come out victorious.

From here, the action begins to rise almost immediately. Aquaman is forced out of his self-imposed exile and a general rebellion begins against the new Atlantean monarchy. Meanwhile, aggression and racism from the new king give justification for the end of his rule, solidifying the protagonists as heroes. Abnett creates an environment filled with satisfying tension, one that feels as if it is ready to pop at any moment, which serves as a wonderful cliffhanger going into the next volume.

Along the way, there are also a number of incredibly satisfying moments from individual characters. Aquaman’s conversations with Dolphin are interesting, Mera’s relentless determination is awesome, and the unexpected double-cross from Murk was incredible to see. These ensure that the narrative is compelling from page to page, in addition to being compelling as a complete work.

The only small problem with this overall narrative is that the pacing is slightly too rapid. The opening chapters imply that the last few weeks in Atlantis have been relatively calm. However, as soon as the book starts, multiple groups of people start causing trouble at the same time and end up teaming up in a way that feels too perfect. Chance is relied upon to drive the plot forward in a few small places that end up being slightly frustrating.

(spoilers end here)

Art

The artwork throughout Underworld is gorgeous and stands out from start to finish. Stjepan Šejić creates a variety of detailed and well-structured pages that are teeming with life and emotion. Characters alternate between looking vulnerable or intimidating depending on what the story calls for, while constantly maintaining an appealing level of individual beauty. This allows the narrative to take on different moods without having to sacrifice the visuals on any page of the book.

Šejić also brings an incredibly unique artistic flair to the book that helps it instantly define itself from the rest of the mainstream DC series. These unique visuals match the book’s unique setting, as the majority of the narrative is set in some of the lesser known areas in Atlantis. This allows Šejić to express some unbridled and visually appealing creativity, depicting the wide variety of life and landscapes that can be found in Atlantis. Steve Wands’s help push this creativity even further by adding even more atmosphere to a book already filled with appeal. In the end, this book has a lot going for it and is a huge artistic success.

Continuity

Aquaman Vol. 4: Underworld continues the story from Aquaman Vol. 3: Crown of Atlantis (Review).

The story here continues in Aquaman Vol. 5: The Crown Comes Down (Review).

This volume also references the stories from other comic books, detailed below:

• Mera mentions working with the Justice League recently. This started in Justice League Vol. 4: Endless (Review).
• Aquaman mentions his past animosity with Vulko. This animosity started near the conclusion of Aquaman Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis (Review) (Reading Order).