We've already been introduced to the new Aquawoman in Future State: Justice League, where we saw the hero working alongside the new version of the Justice League, but Future State: Aquaman takes a jump back in time, showing a key part of the origin of this new hero.
The issue opens with Jackson Hyde looking older and more grizzled than we've seen him before, trying to escape pursuit in some strange dark ocean, with people in pursuit. Despite failing to make it to freedom Jackson sees something in the water that causes him to laugh as he's captured. We then learn that he has been held prisoner by the Confluence, a group that he has tried to escape some three hundred times already. Brought before their leader Jackson begin to reveal his tale, filling in both his captors and the readers.
Years earlier, after having taken on the mantle of Aquaman from Arthur Curry, Jackson was swimming in the ocean with Andy, the daughter of Arthur and Mera, training her how to use her abilities. However, something strange happens and the two of them find themselves transported into a bizarre ocean neither of them recognise. This is the Confluence, a nexus in space where the oceans of different realities intersect.
Jackson and Andy begin to search for a way back to their home, but travel from ocean to ocean, discovering strange new creatures, and having to fight for their survival.
Whilst I was hoping that this issue would give me more information on Andy this is really Jackson's story, his chance to shine, and it really does show off to people who might not be as familiar with the character why he's worth paying attention to. We get to see him the dual roles of protective mentor and defiant prisoner, as a man filled with hop, and one almost broken. The issue hows how big a journey he's been on, and even when he should be completely beaten down and ready to give up he's willing to stand and fight. Anyone who thinks Aquaman is a joke character still really gets shown how wrong they are in this story.
The issue felt like it gave enough set up to the main event, without getting too bogged down on the details. We get enough explanation of where Jackson and Andy are to understand the stakes, we see enough of their relationship to understand how it works, and it means that come the final pages readers are pumped to find out what's going to come next.
The comic has some gorgeous artwork from Daniel Sampere, who manages to breath a lot of life into the mostly empty oceans around the characters, making sure that each place and every creature we see feels different and unique. Colourist Adriano Lucas also plays a big part of that, and the instant you see that the ocean around them has changed a different, sickly colour you know that something's happened, that our heroes are in a bad situation.
If there's one complaint I'd have to make about the book it's that the front cover, whilst gorgeous, really has you expecting a more lighthearted adventure, and doesn't quite prepare you for the stakes or the grim tone within it's pages; but that's not something that's completely bad, as it means the content of the book hits harder for the tone the cover.
If you're a fan of Aquaman this comic is sure to keep you entertained and get you pumped, and if you've never read anything of the character before this is a perfect jumping on point, one that shows just how amazing the series can be.
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