DC's Aquaman: The Becoming #1
- WRITER
- Brandon Thomas
- Artist
- Diego Olortegui, Wade Von Grawbadger
- Letterer
- AndWorld Design
- Cover Artist
- David Talaski
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 4.95
- Release Date
- 2021-09-21
- Colorist
- Adriano Lucas
Opening DC Comics' new Pride series, Aquaman: The Becoming #1 shows Jackson Hyde shedding his sidekick status to take up the mantle of Aquaman. Aqualad, a fan-favorite character featured prominently in the New 52, Teen Titans, and the Young Justice television series is depicted here as a fun-loving teenager with everything -- love-life notwithstanding -- figured out. With art by Diego Olortegui and Wade Von Grawbadger, colors by Adriano Lucas, lettering by AndWorld Design, and written by Brandon Thomas, Aquaman: The Becoming gives Jackson's perfect little world a rude and lifechanging awakening.
Aquaman: The Becoming #1 opens on the battlefield. Apokolips is ravaged and Aqualad is the last thing standing between the Earth and total annihilation... And then training simulation times out. Extricating himself from the Atlantis VR center, Jackson sets some time aside to be doted on by his mentors Aquaman and Mera before meeting his mom surface-side. Weaving his way through the admiring crowds, he catches up with his mother and is flustered by the new waiter. Their breakfast is cut short when superhero duty calls, which also gives mama Hyde time to interrogate the new boy in town. As Jackson juggles breaking a hostage situation it becomes clear that someone is watching him. Soon, Jackson is attacked in Atlantis by a mysterious stranger. After a brutal fight, it is clear that Jackson's life will never be the same.
In Aquaman: The Becoming #1, Thomas has crafted a strong debut that captures the characters and their dynamics well. Thomas builds a playful atmosphere into the start of the issue that suits the final dramatic tonal shift. The issue predominantly has a wholesome quality, but its ending promises the next issue will be high-octane. At the center of this series is, of course, the LGBTQ element of Aqualad's character. Jackson's sexuality is incorporated effortlessly into the fabric of the narrative. Moments like Aquaman casually threatening to help Jackson find a new boyfriend or his mom being overprotective feel organic and genuinely heart-warming, as well as further informing their characterization.
The pencils and inking, by Olortegui and Von Grawbadger, respectively, are dynamic and striking, forming a bold illustration style that elevates the buoyant tone of the writing. The linework is particularly brilliant in capturing action sequences, using a mixture of textures to convey movement and some surprisingly visceral violence. The backgrounds are gorgeously detailed, often with intricate linework, and their character designs are charming and well-balanced between expressive and naturalistic.
Lucas' colors match the high standards set by the issue's illustration. Lucas' masterful and varying use of vibrant, graduating, and pastel colors give a distinctive flavor to each set piece and sequence. The lettering from AndWorld Design is solid throughout, with some inventive echoing effects in the latter half of the issue that help to establish the sinister change in tone.
Aquaman: The Becoming #1 forges a bold path towards a definitive Jackson Hyde coming-of-age story. Overall, the debut issue overflows with promise. From the outset, this installment in the Pride series looks to be more of a DC title centered around a gay character than specifically a queer love story. Those looking for something more rom-com orientated might do well to look elsewhere. That being said, this chapter in Aqualad's story is a delight to read and will hopefully prompt more titles that revolve around Jackson Hyde.