The gathering continues.
Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Sandy Jarrell
Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick
What They Say:
Mera dons the name Aquawoman with her crewmates, and gets a surprise visit from Supergirl and Stargirl!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
While the struggle continues in wanting more of each individual arc and sticking with it rather than jumping to another arc for an issue, DC Comics Bombshells brings together two different arcs this time, one of which has been pretty minor so far. Mera is a favorite of mine in general and particularly her Bombshell version. Her role in events has been tied to Diana’s as she’s the reason she left, though there are other reasons as well under the surface that are given a nod to here. But Mera hasn’t been her own character for the most part so far, tied to someone else’s story even as she took control of her own life. Here, we get to see what she’s been up to while Diana is off with Trevor.
And it’s pretty good as we see that she’s helping the British Royal Navy deal with new German u-boats and the like out in the open seas. These are curious ones to be sure as the crew on board doesn’t register as alive and they’re certainly not looking human. Nothing is really given to us there about what they are or represent, but it’s a couple of solidly chilling panels as we see them operating the sub until Mera brings a few whales along to deal with it. While the action is good, the real draw here is Mera and her personality. Though we get those tinges of sadness here that plays into the bigger story, I just loved how outwardly friendly she is with everyone, connecting in a way that just has everyone loving her all the more since it’s an honest and true interest she takes in them. Granted, a lot of men at sea interacting with a young and beautiful woman will happen for other reasons as well, but there’s a really good kind of innocence given to a lot of it that works.
Where things take a pretty good turn is when Kortni and Kara’s story collides with Mera’s, though I would have preferred more Mera time by herself. With the pair on the run, the first encounter outside of Soviet space has them dealing with the allies who are naturally wary and view them as dangerous – and rightly so. We do get the requisite fight scene, but it’s mingled with a good bit of dialogue that helps them get through to each other with a few key phrases. One can see how Mera could be like a mother-figure to them to some degree and with her own past experience with loss and family, someone that they can really connect with. The protective nature that Mera exhibits here is really nicely done, though you do have to wonder what kind of ramifications it will have among those that have been fighting against the Soviets in some theaters.
In Summary:
Mera dominates this installment and in a good way, really making me want more of her and her very bright and outgoing personality. What we get here is a merging of stories and characters that will ricochet off in its own direction now that could be interesting. what we also get is the arrival of Sandy Jarrell as an artist for the series. I’ve not been familiar with his work before but it fits perfectly here. I love his interpretation of Mera and the action sequences have a good flow about them in general. The layouts are solid and the expressiveness of the characters is spot on. It fits fully with what we’ve had previously in the series while also staking out its own design style.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: November 6th, 2015
MSRP: $0.99
