Title: Justice League.
Story-Arc: Throne of Atlantis.
Volume: 3.
Writer(s): Geoff Johns & Jeff Lemire (Epilogue).
Penciller(s): Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier, Tony S. Daniel & Brad Walker.
Inker(s): Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Matt Banning, Sandu Florea, Richard Friend, Drew Hennessy, Karl Kesel, Sean Parsons, Ivan Reis & Art Thibert.
Colourist(s): Rod Reis, Tomeu Morey & Jay David Ramos.
Letterer(s): Dave Sharpe, Patrick Brosseau & Nick Napolitano.
Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: April 8th 2014.
Pages: 192.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781401246983.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
Previously on DC Universe New 52’s Justice League series:
Justice League (Vol. 1): Origin by Geoff Johns
Justice League (Vol. 2): The Villain’s Journey by Geoff Johns
Trust and honesty are not easy to come by when a person’s self-interest is at play. When they make you believe that they are infallible and will always be who they tell you to be, there’s a good chance that any form of betrayal will hit you hard in the gut and plunge you in cold disappointment. In the latest adventures of the Justice League, writer Geoff Johns looks to give Aquaman the chance to choose his home and the allies he wants to keep by his side. With mixed origins, this puts this hero between a rock and a hard place as the threat level is beyond this world even for the Justice League. Here comes one of the most exciting events that redefine epic in the DC Universe.
What is Justice League: Throne of Atlantis about? Collecting Justice League #13-17 and Aquaman #15-16, this story arc presents one of the most devastating wars that put surface dwellers up against sea roamers. Triggered when missiles launched by a U.S. Naval war submarine hit Atlantis, the world is plunged into chaos far worse than any natural disaster could cause. Led by Aquaman’s brother Ocean Master, the Atlanteans flood major cities and bring out the most treacherous creatures out to install pandemonium. With only Aquaman with the power to mediate this situation, the Justice League find themselves overmatched and threatened as they seek for help to save the world from total annihilation.
The volume surprisingly does not only focus on the Throne of Atlantis story arc. It actually starts off with a story centered around a clash between Wonder Woman and her archnemesis Cheetah. This encounter explores Diana Prince’s innocence and her belief in her friendship with Cheetah’s alter ego. Although it is a very short story that ended with a cliffhanger, it was still a bit disappointing since Cheetah was somehow able to singlehandedly deal with the whole Justice League and that was just odd to me.
The Throne of Atlantis story arc, however, puts Aquaman at the heart of the action as his character plays a crucial role in identifying the solution to this calamity. As per usual, writer Geoff Johns brilliantly develops his freshly-rebooted character and transforms Aquaman into a hero that shouldn’t be looked down upon or taken lightly. Conflict-ridden, as he’s forced to pick sides, his character is brought to make important decisions amidst the chaos. An underlying theme around loyalty is also explored in its various forms, allowing the story to preciously maintains a sense of mystery.
Often associated with this New 52 Justice League series, the artwork continues to be phenomenal. There are countless two-page spreads throughout the story that has you marveling at the incredible scenes glorifying the destruction. It is, in fact, hard to not attribute a sense of grandiosity to the story. Geoff Johns definitely knows how to do justice to the Justice League.
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is an action-packed, adrenaline-pumping and ludicrously-explosive event where land and sea collide, and true loyalty is tested.
The Aquaman (2018) movie was loosely based on this story arc. Check out my review for thoughts on that movie! Have you seen it? What did you think about it?
Roars and Echoes 
Lately, I’ve been on an Aquaman kick, but have been reading stand-alone titles, so I should check this out as I want to see him as an integral part of the JL team!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely recommend checking out this one then! Geoff John’s Aquaman series is also noted as the best of the best too! I also read Aquaman: Underworld by Dan Abnett and found that it was not only BEAUTIFUL, it actually was a good story arc!
LikeLike
I have not watched the movie yet. I hope to, but I do know it will be a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only warn you that it is a bit cheesy, especially with its romance elements but at least it has some stunning visual sequences! Hope you like it… at least a little. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Considering that I’ve really enjoyed all 3 of the Superman/JL movies, I figure I’m going to like most of what DC still attempts to put out 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks quite enjoyable 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see what you did there. 😂 It does LOOK enjoyable hahah
LikeLiked by 1 person
You got me 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I have not seen the movie, and I never might, since the reviews don’t appeal to me.
Cheetah handled everyone, huh? Yea, that’s a pet peeve of mine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t blame you for avoiding what could potentially annoy you. And yes, while it’s nice seeing some villains step their game up, it shouldn’t be this easy to turn C-ranked villains into S-ranks! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly Lashaan I can feel your admiration for that writer but what really amazed mr (from your IG where I first saw the drawings) are the drawings. I don’t know if you draw or not but I did (and do sometimes ) and I can assure you that drawing someone crouched and ready to spring or someon being feral and having it all right with the perspective, muscles etc is no easy feat. Here it’s done perfectly! So I believe you about the scenarii but I really am amazed by the drawings 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to enjoy drawing a lot back in High School but then my interests shifted onto other things but I can see appreciate the skills it must take to achieve the things some artists are able to achieve! 😍 And with this art style, there’s no surprise why there a lot of wonderful pin-ups and cover art being created for single issues! 😁
LikeLike
Im so far behind with all the dc stuff… Great review as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah that’s a good thing! You’ll never run out of DC stuff to read! 😁 Thanks for reading, my good sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure. I am behind on peoples blogs aswell, so do not be alarmed if there is a stream of likes that follows in the next few weeks…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh, you definitely don’t have to do that, my man! As long as you take care of yourself, everything is good! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great analysis
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for reading! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dude!!! No glimpse of a two page spread?! 😉 How funny that this is called Justice League and it about Aquaman? Or is it just that the other roles aren’t worth mentioning? Anyway I think this sounds like a fascinating story arc. I love when we get to massive destruction… I’m not sure if that if my love of post-apocalyptic but those spreads and art always wow me. It would be hard to choose between sides for sure though. He “lives” with the Justice League and yet Atlantis is family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nop! They’re too epic for pictures. You’ll have to pick this up to see what’s up! 😁 Ahhh see, you touched on an excellent point that is often a subject of a lot criticism during the New 52 era of DC Comics. Aquaman had his own comic book series and this story arc is present in there, overlapping with the Justice League series. Since the event in itself is a Justice League level threat, the other heroes around the world are part of it, thus making Aquaman the center of attention, with the others around. And yes, he’s a “half-bread” too after all. Mother is the Queen of Atlantis while Father is a human mortal. The struggle is real. 😂
LikeLike
Great review sir, I enjoy following your adventures with this – the best – Justice League series. Throne of Atlantis was great, a truly epic and cinematic comics event with great characterisation – Geoff Johns really did a lot to help redefine the character of Aquaman (isn’t it odd now to see him in his pre-movie look?) and the world and politics of Atlantis. Can’t wait for you to eventually reach the Darkseid War!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chris! Yep. I’ve read this a long time ago but I’m reviewing them so I can finally pick up Darkseid War (you are the reason why it was a priority read before 2020). I also stopped around volume 6 (Injustice League) I believe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to see Darkseid War get the DC animated movie treatment, especially if they were to do it in two parts – it has epic potential!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure if it’ll ever been in their plans… with what they’ve been release lately. Did you see that Wonder Woman animated movie to be released, revisiting her origin story again? Not sure why they wanted to release that one right now, for example…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did see the trailer for the WW feature and had similar thoughts, I’ll still check it out and hope for the best as always. Looking forward to when Warners give us more details about Long Halloween…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, the artwork is truly amazing!! 😱 I like 2 pages spreads, they make the scene really dynamic! Great review as always, Lashaan 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! You should see some of them. They’re very epic and “godly”! 😁 Thank you for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person