By: Andrew Fontana
Aquaman #26 continues exploring the intriguing new status quo Dan Abnett and Stjepan Sejic have carved out for Arthur Curry. Abnett unfolds the plot at a brisk pace, giving the reader plenty of action and political drama between the covers. The downside to this is lack of time focused on character development. Arthur Curry gets plenty of opportunity to throw punches, but little time to flesh out his headspace in light of losing his throne and being separated from Mera. Nor has Abnett devoted enough attention to the new periphery characters he’s introduced in this arc. Corum Rath in particular falls flat as a villian. A stronger focus on head makes these characters tick could go a long way into making this fun new status quo genuinely compelling.
Stjepan Sejic’s sleek pencils continue to make Atlantis a truly special place to visit. Sejic’s intricate attention to detail and imaginative renderings of the Atlantean cityscape gives the art an immersive quality that holds the eye even when the script’s not all there. Nor is Sejic a slouch when it comes to the characters themselves. His figures have an organic look to them, including those of a more fantastical nature. It is also worth mentioning that his double-duty on both pencils and colors give the art a perfectly seamless quality. The colors expertly fit a book set entirely in an underwater location.
Rating: 7.5
