[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Artists: Matt Santorelli and Brent Peeples
Summary
“SEAS OF CHANGE” part four! As a tidal wave threatens to engulf all of Pyongyang, the Justice League of China must save the North Korean capital from destruction whether they like it or not! The Dragonson has risen to ascend to his throne as the Aqua-Man of North Korea, and he’ll make his countrymen pay for what they did to him, come hell or high water!
Positives
In the first few pages, we get a Jekyll and Hyde type dialogue between Dragonson and his father, as they debate who he is versus who he knows himself to be. This proves to be the opposite of Arthur Curry’s Aquaman, whose mother was Queen of Atlantis, as Dragonson‘s father is King Munmu, who is definitely a villain.
The creative team’s sensitivity to cultural cues and the difference in the languages spoken in the region is highlighted in the first panel, as they color code which language is being spoken at the time. Flash betrays both Kenan and Dragonson to the Green Lantern Corps of China as she sees Kenan losing control of his Yang, a rather unfortunate twist that leaves our heroes at a disadvantage. She also made a deal to capture Dragonson, which leaves North Korea to be flooded, giving the story a somewhat off kilter feel about Chinese ideology towards loyalty.
Lastly, Kong Kenan uses his powers to become impervious to the Lanterns powers, something Kal-El may not have had the ability to do, as Yang uses the many intricacies of Chinese culture to infuse throughout the story.
Negatives
There are no negatives worth mentioning in this issue.
Verdict
Buy, as this book is both fun and educational. It continues to sculpt this world where we have Asian versions of the DC pantheon of superheroes while forging their own identities in a fun, exciting way.
