Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Mera: Queen of Atlantis #4
DC Comics
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Lan Medina
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colors by Veronica Gandini
Mera and Orm have been granted an audience with King Nereus of Xebel. All they have to do is survive an attack by an Octodon that hasn’t been fed in weeks.
As Orm fights for his life against the creature, remnants of the old Ocean Master persona start to break through, especially when he and Mera find themselves victorious and in the presence of the King and his council. A prospect that allows the reader to learn more about Mera’s past in Xebel and the power dynamic she grew up with.
Orm takes the victory as an opportunity to assert his power and demands an audience. The following meeting between the Cold War neighbors lays the back drop of Mera’s plan to retake Atlantis and she gives Nereus a pretty compelling reason to help her. One that allows him to save face with his people and their long standing emnity against Atlantis. It’s a subtle and well done form of manipulation.
This issue of Mera is all about political manipulation and all of the dialogue serves that well. The exposition is well metered and there are some great moments of impending tension that are interesting to read. It also looks like the tension is moving beyond the conflict in Atlantis and it could destroy everything Orm has come to love.
