By Kelly Gaines

Mera’s life is complicated- ABC Family teenage drama complicated. When we last saw the Queen of Atlantis, she embarked on a mission with her fiancé’s former supervillain half-brother to ask for the help of her former family/ current enemies in the Xebellian nation. Mera’s life is a mess, but I suppose taking on a bloodthirsty tyrant can to that to you. Orm and Mera, thus far, seem to be playing nice. The same can’t be said for her enemies under the sea, but it’s a risk she and Orm are both willing to stick their necks out to take.

What do you do when your former fling returns to the kingdom she betrayed? Release the Kraken! I’m kidding, but close. According to King Nereus, ritual combat is the hurdle his ex has to jump for the honor of speaking to him again. Que the collective sigh of relief from anyone who has ever tried to get back a treasured hoodie or CD from an ex. You’ve been blessed by the fact that not everyone has a sea monster on call. Every day is a gift now. Mera and Orm take on a massive squid-like creature and win the chance to make their case to Nereus. All wet red hair and muscle- Mera and Nereus look much more like siblings than a royal couple (which I realize is a rich joke area, but who has the time). Visually, the similarities make the discussion boring. It’s taken four issues, but Mera: Queen of Atlantis has finally stalled for me. It’s been four fascinating and dramatic issues of long-lost siblings and healing wounds of betrayal, but the sameness is starting to lose my interest. The writing is lovely, and the story is complex, but little by little the fights have begun to feel more superficial, and the solutions too easy. The point is clear- not many are okay with Mera being queen.

The royal intrigue continues to be offset by that ordinary brand of home-cooked sweetness that is Orm’s land family- Erin and Tommy. While Mera and Orm battle below, Erin and Tula discuss the complexity of royal duty versus duty to yourself. Orm loves Erin and Tommy desperately, but he loves his homeland too. The question is not one of right and wrong, but a question of who Orm really is, and what being true to that identity means. As of issue 4, these conversations still add a needed contrast to the larger plot. Rebirth’s Aquaman, and Mera: Queen of Atlantis by default, have been both praised and criticized for sometimes blatant social commentary. In Mera’s story, it feels subtler but presents readers with equally important questions of self. As we expand our horizons, learn about others, and adapt our values, who do we remain loyal to- the systems we’ve called home, or the new horizons that call us? I admire that subtlety. What defines us more- who we were raised to be, or who we have chosen to become? Mera has avoided becoming a parable of conservative vs. liberal thinking. The questions are more personal and applicable to any reader, regardless of background. I do need to point out one of the less subtle themes in Mera’s journey: sexism. From Orm to King Nereus, characters have openly and pointedly remarked that Mera’s sex is a high-ranking factor as to why she cannot rule. A conversation between Mera and the former Queen Mother of Xebel touches on the subject in a much more believable way. The Queen Mother’s experiences make the same point as Nereus stating “but she’s a woman” without feeling like a health class pamphlet on negative behavior. Her advice to Mera is raw, drawn out of a place of deep sorrow and hard-won respect. That scene could have stood on its own without being mirrored by the king’s conversation.

I hope that the good aspects of this title will overcome some of the areas that have started to feel played out. As a stand-alone title or companion piece to Aquaman Rebirth, Mera: Queen of Atlantis has a lot to offer, and I’m still here for it. Plus, how can I turn away without finding out who kidnapped Tula? And for that matter, why Tula took such a dramatic jump to action after a conversation, I’m certain she’s had before? I need answers, and I’m glad that I’m still having fun finding them.

Score: 3/5

Mera: Queen of Atlantis #4
DC Comics