Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artists: Ardian Syaf (pencils), Vincente Cifuentes (inks), Kyle Ritter (colorist)

Swimming through the death and wreckage of sunken Rome, Arthur examines first hand the destruction caused by the specially designed Atlantean weapon of Doctor Vulko. A weapon gained through espionage and political subterfuge. Seeing a symbol of peace in stained-glass, he is reminded that though Europe has fallen there is a greater goal and another nation to unleash the power of the mighty weapon upon. Months pass, and it is revealed though many attacks have been attempted Arthur has yet to sink the land of his enemy. Discovering the reason for the failed attempts, the Atlanteans prepare for an assassination and a final assault.

Tony Bedard does a good job in setting the stage of political intrigue for Emperor Aquaman. As with the rest of the FP mini-series, the story must be told in three issues. So, although one nation is easily manipulated (and a king overtaken), it’s necessary to do so quickly for the sake of the story. Bedard writes it in three pages of convincing dialogue. I couldn’t get an exact feel for where Arthur’s head is in all of this. At times, he seems contemplative as to the destruction and death he brought to millions in his attack on the continent but he also seems driven and single-minded wanting to avenge his own loss, no matter the cost. I’m sticking around for the next issue. On another note, the Emperor Aquaman & the Wonder Woman and the Furies comics make for great companion reading. I’d suggest reading Aquaman first.

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #1
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artists: Eddie Nunez (pencils), Don Ho (inks), Hi-Fi (colorist)

Covering fashion in Paris at the time of the Atlantean attack, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen flee the wave of water to the highest point in Paris — Sacre Coeur in the Montmarte section of the city. Discovering that Jimmy wasn’t just a simple photographer for the Daily Planet, Lois must become central in the resistance cause although highly untrained for the job she willingly undertakes. Quickly adapting to life behind enemy lines Lois does what she can to assist the movement.

This Abnett and Lanning tale gets to the point at an accelerated pace. The use of news clips at the start of the comic gets the reader up to speed on the Atlantean/Amazon conflict and towards the end of the comic using a two page “diary” format lays out Lois’ time on New Themyscira. At the outset, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one but I really enjoyed the pace of the comic and got hooked in to the story. Another misleading cover, but I suppose it’s just foreshadowing the events from this point foward. Having also read The Canterbury Cricket, I can’t say I’m in to what appears to be Lois’ resistance allies but I’m willing to have the co-writing team show me what they have in store. It remains to be seen if this will be a good companion book to FP:WW but with the subject matter it can’t be too far from being relevant.

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artists: Scott Clark (pencils), Dave Beaty (inks), Nei Ruffino (colorist)

A daring, if a bit foolish, Diana ventures from the saftey of Themyscira into the great unknown beyond. Her first two encounters are of a deadly monster of the deep and an Atlantean monarch of the seas. A battle leaves the monster defeated and Diana wounded. Feared missing from her curiosity-driven journey, Diana is returned home with the help of the Atlanteans. With that, the two ancient civilizations plan to be joined by more than mere politics.

Poilitcal intrigue. Power struggles. Family treachery. Abnett and Lanning bring it all together in this comic that is as much an Aquaman story as it is an Amazonian one. Following the events of the Arthur and Diana’s chance encounter, an orchestrated political union is to occur between the two great civilizations in the guise of a probably more-loveless-than-not marriage. There is open dissent on both sides of the aisle even minutes before the vows are to take place. They say there is sacrifice in marriage. In this case, there is self-sacrifice when one character shields another from certain death. It’s also the beginning of the Atlantean/Amazon War. Recommended.