Originally Posted by
daBronzeBomma
The new #Aquaman animated miniseries #KingofAtlantis just dropped on HBOmax.
Some thoughts (spoiler-FREE) on the first episode:
1. The show loosely takes place in the DCEU continuity of the 2018 Aquaman movie.
Like, it starts literally the very next day after the movie concluded.
2. The show is a comedy, full-stop.
Think equal parts Teen Titans Go, Thundercats Roar, early Steven Universe, Star vs the Forces Of Evil, and a dash of Looney Tunes.
3. The animation style is very fluid and hyper-cartoony.
It's that controversial CalArts animation style (aka thin-line animation) that people either love, hate, or just accept. I just accept.
4. Arthur's new look is interesting.
I get that blonde hair / beard over an orange shirt is not the most visually distinct to begin with, but their orange tones are so golden here that I weirdly don't mind the switch to green for Arthur's hair ... tho I wish they had kept the long hair look instead of his "outrageous" Brave and the Bold hairdo. The gold boots aren't bad either.
5. I actually dug Arthur's persona here.
It's basically a more talky and goofy version of Jason Momoa's Aquabro take ... seems like a fun hang.
6. Mera sounds great, looks weird.
Which is weird because Aquaman's look changed more than hers did, but the way her face is drawn here (so wildly expressive) can get suddenly off-putting.
7. Once you accept that this is a comedy and nothing more, the humor is surprisingly appropriate.
Like, there's a clear Marvel joke if you're paying attention.
8. I don't recognize the main villain of this episode.
But then again, Aquaman only has two existing enemies of any merit (Black Manta and Ocean Master) in the comics and then a STEEP drop-off in his rogues gallery.
9. The various fishfolk are definitely going to remind you of SpongeBob SquarePants.
That has to be deliberate.
10. The end of the episode is actually intriguing.
Can't say anything more yet.
Bottom line: Against all odds, I'm interested. It's a show that seemingly does not take itself seriously at all. I'll be back to check out the second episode.
AQ:KOA episode 1 grade: 7/10.