Aquaman #40
DC Comics
Writers: Dan Abnett & Rob Williams
Artist: Joe Bennett
The end of the “Sink Atlantis!” crossover is here. This is a pretty good ending. I like some stuff about it, I dislike some others, but overall I enjoyed reading it. I’ve been a fan of both Aquaman and Suicide Squad in the rebirth era, so this crossover, in general, is something I’ve enjoyed.
Lord Satanis Has locked Aquaman and the Suicide Squad out of the Silent School in Atlantis. He plans on using the nuclear bomb to destroy Atlantis, and the subsequent deaths to further power his magic. With help from the Master Jailer, Aquaman and the Suicide Squad break-in, and fight to save Atlantis and everyone in it.
This issue is mainly carried by the characters, rather than the story. I like Aquaman in this, but I think the Suicide Squad takes the spotlight more on this issue. Which isn’t a bad thing. Harley Quinn talks Killer Croc out of killing himself and admits that they’re friends. Which honestly makes sense, if you’re spending time with people for so long, you’re bound to be friends. Even if it’s under the threat of death. Aquaman is fine here, he doesn’t do anything too special, just fights Satanis. In the end, I do like Mera and Amanda Waller walking off into the sunset together
The story itself, and how it plays out is a little… meh? I know Atlantis wasn’t actually going to get nuked, but it never felt like an actual threat either. The nuke does go off, but it just so happens this magic box can probably contain the blast. I like that a member of the Suicide Squad dies, but it’s not any character that matters. That’s a problem I have with the Suicide Squad as a whole, but it still happens here. I’m happy that Atlantis is a world superpower now, and Mera in charge is pretty cool. We’ll just have to see how it plays out.
Joe Bennett’s art in this issue is pretty good. The fight between Killer Croc and King Shark looks great, not as bloody as I’d imagine though. The other high point for me is Master Jailer being atomized by the nuke exploding. It’s a good looking page. Besides that, the rest of the issue looks good. I don’t have any complaints or nitpicks about it.
Overall, the “Sink Atlantis!” crossover is good. The story is alright, but the characters are really carrying the weight of it. That’s also what I’d say about this issue individually. The story is alright, but the characters make it work. I have my problems with the Suicide Squad and its redshirt characters, but that’s not something specific to this issue. The art is good, the characters are good. It’s a good ending to the crossover.
