Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Aquaman" #2 / "Superman" #2 & #3

Aquaman #2: Abnett is playing it relatively safe here, as the moral conflict between Aquaman and Black Manta is presented solidly, but relies too heavily on well-known tropes.

7/10

Superman #2: More than anything else it's the father-son relationship between Clark and Jon that shines most here, as Tomasi and Gleason finally nail this aspect and make the latter a truly integral part of the story.

8/10

Superman #3: The story around the Eradicators appearance is slightly underwhelming, adding to the sense of imbalance that pervades this comic as a whole. At least the end promises a badass next issue.

6/10

Review: "Aquaman: Rebirth" #1

How do you approach a title that, over the years, has been so divisive as Aquaman, and help it off to a fresh new start? Why not be as self-referential as you can and remember the old principle that acknowledging a problem is often as good as actually solving it. 

While it might not be particularly clever, writer Dan Abnett knows that openly addressing some of the persistent stereotypes and misconceptions about Aquaman (you know, weirdo who talks to fish, I guess we all have seen this Family Guy skit by now)  so early on might actually benefit the series in the long run. It's also not often that you'll see a comic put so much emphasis on its narrative mode, but Abnett's virtuous play with it will leave you in for a big surprise at the end.

Only held back by its somewhat lacklustre art, whose sturdiness never quite manages to reflect the thoughtfulness of the comic's text, Aquaman: Rebirth #1 is a skillful attempt to redefine the titular superhero, and much more of an actual "rebirth" than many other DC titles at the moment.

7/10