Aquaman/Suicide Squad: Sink Atlantis!

Aquaman (2016) #7

by Rob Williams, Dan Abnett, Joe Bennett (Artist)

After Aquaman’s undersea kingdom rises to become a world power of the surface, the Suicide Squad must infiltrate the city and send it back to the depths or die trying. The epic crossover event is collected here in these stories from Aquaman #39-40 and Suicide Squad #45-46.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2019

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlantis has risen to the surface due to events in Dark Nights: Metal. While Mera is being crowned as the new ruler of Atlantis, not everyone in the U.S. government is happy with Atlantis off the coast of America. They send the Suicide Squad to sink Atlantis again. This is actually a really organic fit between Aquaman and Suicide Squad. Abnett actually is able to further his Aquaman story in the midst of what should just be an excuse for the two teams to fight. We do get some great fights too, especially King Shark vs. Killer Croc in a bottle of former versus current Suicide Squad muscle. Jose Luis and Joe Bennett provide some very reliable art.

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect mash up of Aquaman and the Squad.

World: The art is solid, the Suicide Squad issues look a bit more crisp and more my style but overall this little crossover was beautiful to look at. Both series kep the color scheme that Sejic was doing with Aquaman and the design of the world and the locations were used to good effect. The world building blended seamlessly with the each respective series and it does not feel out of place. The consequences in each book are felt here, this makes this crossover and the world it is set in meaningful.

Story: What is happening? The dialog is so snappy and good, this has been missing from Aquaman and wow the dialog is great. Harley is especially quippy this time around and her sense of fun really lends itself for this event. The art is a bit over the top when it comes to Mera’s butt but oh well this is the Squad book and this is how they roll (I wished they did less of that or it was equal opportunity but it ain’t). The story is simple it’s a mission and it’s also tied to the events in Aquaman so this is a perfect crossover with a story that actual makes sense and matters. There are character moments, there are action moments and there are world building moments all found here. Sure there is some retread with Atlantis coming up to the surface again that is similar to what we had at the beginning of Aquaman Rebirth with the consolate but it’s solidly done. I don’t want to spoil this but this is the type of crossovers that I love it was sooo enjoyable.

Characters: The banter was really good and the mean nothing characters from the Squad were actually well developed for the 4 issues that this story had. It also dealt with character from Aquaman’s rebellion and really gives consequence to it, it’s really good. A lot of the characters do have to rely on pre-exisiting and previous series development but it’s hinted at quickly and this book can be piced up by anyone and still enjoyed cause of the fun character chemistry.

A really liked this arc it was just pure junk food goodness!

Onward to the next book!

*read individual issues*

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a result of the wish Aquaman made at the end of Dark Nights: Metal, Atlantis has risen to the surface of the ocean. Unfortunately, some people don't like that. Enter Amanda Waller and the Suicide Squad. But when a mission to sink Atlantis turns out to have a despicable ulterior motive, Aquaman, Mera, and the Squad will have to work together to save the city and all its inhabitants.

Poor Dan Abnett didn't really get to send off his run on Aquaman. With these two issues as part of the Sink Atlantis! crossover, and then the next two as tie-ins to Drowned Earth, he doesn't get to spend his last few issues doing everything he wanted to do. That said, this is so much fun that I'm not even mad.

Joined by co-writer Rob Williams, Aquaman/Suicide Squad's four issues are a romp through Atlantis that pulls in every Aquaman supporting character as well as some of the Suicide Squad's most iconic characters like Harley and Deadshot while also incorporating lesser-known characters like Locksmith who all play a vital role in propelling the story forward. There are even some revelations about the Aquaman cast that you'd miss if you didn't read these issues, so that's an added incentive not to skip it.

The artwork is split between Joe Bennett and José Luis, and both are perfect fits for the story. Bennett's art is a bit more detailed while Luis' feels more streamlined, but they have a consistent style that makes this a visual treat as well as one of the story front.

While it may look like a strange pairing, solid writing, great character work, and stellar art prove that Sink Atlantis! has hidden depths well worth plumbing.

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the events of Metal, Atlantis has risen to the surface a bit too close to the United States shores. They're viewed as a threat by certain members of the US government, and coerce Amanda Waller to send in her Suicide Squad to... you guessed it: sink Atlantis.

This was actually a really entertaining and fun read. The new members of the team interact well with the old ones, the story makes sense from a political standpoint, and the pacing of the story within 4 issues was spot on. I think that's what I appreciated most about the book, I was never bored. Dan Abnett did a great job of laying the plot out in a very natural feeling way. Also the way the Atlantean characters played into the story was well done as well... especially Arthur.

The end of a certain character was a bit telegraphed, but it did serve to get the job done. In the end, the Squad walks away mostly intact, with Amanda Waller able to move pawns around to avoid consequences, as always. Highly recommended for fans of the team.

[Cisz Geverink - Strasters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik ben absoluut geen Suicide Squad fan, maar deze crossover was erg cool! Ik kan niet wachten tot het volgende deel binnen is, de crossover met Justice League, en ik weer verder kan lezen. Aquaman blijft absoluut een van mijn favorieten ♡

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlantis has risen to the surface and it's freaking out the rest of the world! So, of course, the U.S. government sends the Suicide Squad to sneak in, fuck shit up and send it back where it came from! This obviously doesn't help the already shaky international relations between the U.S. and the previously submerged nation. I really liked the juxtaposition between the superheroic fighting going on in Atlantis and the political tension going on outside. It's a fun book and the reason for the crossover is organic and actually makes sense. But I couldn't help but feel like it's a step backwards from the great work that we've read previously in Abnett's run.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something happened in the Dark Knights Metal crossover (which I haven't read yet) that raised Atlantis to the surface, near the United States. The US of course feels threatened, but decides not to overreact. Then a rogue General blackmails Amanda Waller into sending in the Suicide Squad to literally sink Atlantis, and probably destroy it in the process.

This was an old fashioned action style crossover without a lot more going on, but it was good for what it was. It was cool to see Aquaman interacting with the Squad, and there were some twists and turns as well. The art was good for the most part and overall this was a decent crossover with some logic behind the story.

[Ondra Král · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crossover podle osvědčeného mustru.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mash-up of heroes and antiheroes, now that Atlantis is risen. I liked seeing Mera in control, but it was boring that the suicide squad needed someone MORE morally corrupt to fight. Are they villains or heroes? Maybe it's just time to say this group is reformed because as badasses they lack bite.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely nothing of note happens in this book. The Squad doesn't beat up Aquaman like the cover would suggest (honestly I fall for cover baiting way too much). None of the Squad members want to sink Atlantis, once they find out innocent people will die. So they all bail on the idea, and we don't get the cool battle promised in the title.

Instead we are introduced two new, entirely throwaway characters. There is the maniacal villain who defies the Squad and wants to single-handedly sink Atlantis, and there is some dummy who makes a heroic sacrifice. Nobody important dies. Nobody important makes any grave decisions. Nobody important get apprehended. Aquaman and the Suicide Squad get to remain undisturbed in their respective continuities, with their integrity intact. And we get a throwaway adventure.

[Felix Zilich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Почти два года никто не мешал Абнетту ваять его онгоинг и он сделал свою работу на пять с плюсом. Но всё хорошее когда-нибудь подходит к концу, поэтому под самый занавес редакция заставила своего сценариста вписать Атлантиду в два дурацких кроссовера. Первый кросс - еще терпимый, хотя об этом мы узнаём только в самом финале, когда мотивации всех участников наконец станут очевидны. Аманда Уоллер отправляет своих смертников на морское дно, чтобы взорвать под Атлантидой магическую бомбу. В процессе миссии Дэдшот и товарищи, разумеется, выясняют, что бомба в их руках не совсем магическая. Что тут скажешь? Харли в абнеттовской Атлантиде смотрится также органично как Дэдпул в «Игре престолов». То есть - никак. Плюс рисунок Джо Беннетта. Мне нравится его работа на «Бессмертном Халке», но гордые хадалины называют его стиль цветастой мазней.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Not gonna lie, I had low expectations, but this felt like an old school Aquaman comic from my childhood. I loved reading about him in the early 90s and this story took me back. The natural tension any Suicide Squad brings was on full display. I love playing the “who’s gonna die this time?” game.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre read.....

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the doomsday scenario. Carl was great while he lasted.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquaman / Suicide Squad : Sink Atlantis is a rare example of a combination of issues from different titles that actually presents a fully coherent story line. That being said, this is a fun read, but not a particularly original or innovative story. There are the expected hijinks and ditzy comments from Harley. The other Suicide Squad characters are mostly too understated or too "moustache twirly" for my taste. Mera, now queen of Atlantis, comes across as a forceful well developed character but Arthur and the gang are predictable and almost incidental to the story. There's a nice twist at the end so the book is nowhere near as disappointing as it might be. All in all, this is a fun read and a good distraction for an hour or two but it is not a blockbuster or really essential to understanding the over all continuity of the current Aquaman saga.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of Aquaman Vol 6, the ramifications of Aquaman's wish (made during the Dark Nights: Metal event) made Atlantis rise to the surface. Will this bring the peace he hoped for? Doubtful!
This Volume is basically divided into 3 stories: the beginning of the reign of Queen Mera, the rise and fall Master Jailer, and the actual intrusion mission of the Suicide Squad on the Atlantean vaults.
With a potentially hostile Atlantis right off the coast of America, the government publicly takes the stance of peace while a general sends an order to Amanda Waller to send the Squad on a mission. Newcomers Lord Satanis (a magic user who is carrying a magical bomb to disrupt Atlantean magic that will cause the city to sink again) and Master Jailer (breaking and entering expert who can crack ANY lock - important for the story) join Harley, Deadshot, and Killer Croc and begin their swim down, entering the city during Mera's coronation, and getting assistance from Urcell, an Atlantean who doesn't support Mera OR surface life.
Shortly after discovering that they are in fact carrying a nuke, Aquaman attacks the Squad, and captures Harley and Deadshot, while the rest of the Squad continues to the magical vaults of the Silent School. Mera, seeing that Aquaman was trying to provide her plausible deniability by undertaking the mission on his own, sends him to gather criminals to help fight against the invading Squad.
Harley, Deadshot, Aquaman, King Shark, Byss, Dolphin and others almost make it to the Silent School in time to stop Lord Satanis from entering (attempting to take magical items for himself before blowing up the city), but only Dolphin ends up on the right side of the magical barrier enacted. When the shield drops, an all-hell battle breaks loose and Master Jailer (now the hero, and going out with respect of his team) is able to lock up the nuke, but the fallout blasts obliterates him. Satanis and the general who ordered the strike go to jail, and peace is able to resume between Atlantis and the surface.
But for how long?

Overall, the story was good and fast paced, but it seemed very predictable. I do look forward to seeing how all this plays out though. Recommend.

[Jamie Revell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This crossover event manages to bring together the good points of both of its constituent series. From the Aquaman point of view, we have some follow up to the events of the recently finished story arc, and a continuation of the theme of distrust between Atlantis and the U.S. military. The focus is more on the Squad, however, and here we have a typical black ops mission that inevitably goes a bit pear-shaped. In that respect, it's nothing new, but if you're going to do a Suicide Squad crossover, the sort of plot used here is a good way of doing it, with Harley and Amanda Waller being written particularly well. The slower scenes with the Aquaman characters also help to break up the non-stop fighting that tends to typify Suicide Squad so that the whole thing isn't simply a slugfest.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up pretty late after having read the next few volumes. I liked that Mera is crowned and faces her first diplomatic issue as the Suicide Squad is sent to blow Atlantis back to the depths.



Arthur tries to keep this on the down low but fails. It was surprising how rational and empathetic Deadshot, Harley and Master Jailer were.



I thought Harley would be more violent and crazy. Lord Satanis looked like Magneto and felt like a caricature of a villain.



The art was so-so.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid action, plus some political connivery, all alongside Mera being crowned queen and being a a super dynamic woman while doing it. Don't mess with the new Queen of Atlantis! Arthur was also pretty awesome in his own right, and I'm curious what's in store next for the (not so)-Underwater Kingdom. Oh... and the Suicide Squad was there, to. (Not as much a fan of them, but, still, their role made for some great action sequences.)

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good little story featuring Mera, Aquaman and Suicide Squad. I enjoyed seeing King Shark in his element as well, and the political stuff was done well too. The art was good throughout.
I am kinda glad that DC is doing its crossovers in their own collections and removing them from the individual books, BUT it also adds an extra book to collect if I buy a series and want them all... It does take away the crossover confusion, so all in all I like that decision.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read, although I doubt we’ll see much of Big Bad “Lord Satin Anus” in the future. Villains who wear helmets inside other helmets are rarely compelling.

[John Yelverton · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a big drama piece with a lot of shouting and posturing on both sides, but the story made very little sense, the danger never felt real, and Mera being the Queen of Atlantis is too surreal for me actually wrap my head around in order to enjoy this book.

[Nicole Westen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing that made me laugh the most was that Aquaman tried to be all 'black ops' for like, five seconds, before Mera found out and was like 'honey what are you doing?' Buuusted.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Atlantis rose in the last couple of pages of the Aquaman storyline. And immediately, Amanda's sending the Suicide Squad in to screw things up.... or is she?
This is a chaotic story, as Aquaman's expanded cast comes up against the remnants of the Suicide Squad (plus some new fodder/villains) and everyone's running around trying to figure out what Waller's doing, and why. Magical Nuclear Football? And this is another example of Harley being two very different people (comparing her here to her standalone series; they've got very little in common, although both iterations are fun in their own ways).
The story doesn't really go for depth, instead just piling on stakes and double-crosses until it resolves with the use of a Deus Ex Machina that really isn't earned. But at least Waller's intentions come clear by the end.
So it's not a great book, but it's not terrible either. Considering the storylines it arises from in both series, it's a step down in quality from both, but not a U-Turn or anything. Pure popcorn.

[Brooke Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've wanted to read more comics recently and this was a perfect one to start on! DC isn't my favourite but I do love some Suicide Squad from time to time but combined with Aquaman??? I loved it. The art is gorgeous, all the little details and shadows, it's just stunning. I felt so bad for Carl though, he didn't want that life, he just wanted to be a father to his daughter but ended up exploding with the nuke :( A hero in my heart <3. Also Harley Quinn in this was hILARIOUS, i loved her scenes so much <3
8/10.

[Joel Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlantis rises from the sea off the coast of the US, and Amanda Waller is tasked to send the Suicide Squad on a mission to destroy a target in Atlantis that will cause it to sink again. However, it turns out that the device the Suicide Squad is supposed to trigger is actually a mini-nuke that will utterly destroy Atlantis.

Aquaman and Queen Mera try to avert disaster even while some members of the Suicide Squad wise up to what is happening. Harley Quinn and Deadshot try to stop the nuclear disaster even while Satanus and Killer Croc are deadset upon blowing up the entire city.

[Mariano · Rating 4 out of 5]

CAREFUL. This is really a 3.
That extra point is for you, Carl 🫡

Anyway, we are back at Atlantis VS the USA.

Please stop.

Really.

This is so skipabble that it hurts.

The only time thay storyline made sense was in Flashpoint, because stuff actually happened. Atlantis and the whole underwater universe is more than enough.

The "Batman of Atlantis" thing that was going on during Underworld was so awesome. All the races, the mutants, the politics. It's like the Clone Wars animated show but with Aquaman.

I hope the end of the run is not as pointless as this...

[Jeremy Bautista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a little miffed that much of Mera's story was covered more thoroughly in the Suicide Squad books than in the Aquaman portion. But that aside, I look at this crossover as a way for me, who doesn't read Suicide Squad, to get a little reintroduction and maybe even a little gateway into that book and those characters. I don't feel like this book changed a lot of the main story, at least for Aquaman, but it was still fun to read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved seeing Suicide Squad come into Aquaman’s world. So much to like in this volume: the political conundrum of Atlantis actually being above the waves, the long awaited coronation, the throne complicating Mera/Arthur’s relationship, the craziest strike team mission to bring down an entire civilisation & Waller’s great foresight to think ahead of everyone. Fun issue!

[Rex Libris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A covert group inside the US government is concerned about the power wielded by the city of Atlantis. So they hire the Suicide Squad to nuke it. A crossover series that gave the DC people the chance to mix Harley Quinn with Aquaman.