Emperor Aquaman #16 Review

 

Emperor Aquaman #16 Review

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist: John Timms

Colorist: Rex Lokus

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artists: John Timms, Ariel Diaz, Nathan Szerdy, Crystal Kung & Ariel Colón

Editors: Michael McCalister & Paul Kaminski

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: April 8, 2026

 

When Darkseid conquered reality, Arthur Curry descended into the Earth's core to stop him. In the Omega Tournament, there could only be one winner. But after losing in DC K.O., Arthur returned to life, only to be trapped by his mother-in-law and his soul fractured. Yet Arthur has come back stronger than ever.

 

With Superman missing, everyone needs to step up to ensure that no one ever threatens all they hold dear again. So, Arthur Curry isn't waiting for the danger to come to him. Instead, he's seeking it out, whether below the surface, above, or even in space. After freeing Atlantis from the barrier that formerly isolated Mera’s homeland of Xebel, can Arthur’s Justice League Blue safeguard the universe? And how will Arthur demonstrate that he is not just the King of Atlantis, but Emperor Aquaman? Let’s grab our tridents, leap into Emperor Aquaman #16, and see!

 

Story

Lolana Merana Challa ripped Arthur into three pieces: a boy who could not swim, an aging monarch lacking the strength of his youth, and a man weary of a life of constant battles. But when Mera cried out to him through his soul link with his trident, Arthur's love for her empowered his three weaker aspects to unite to save her. He knows his mother-in-law still yearns for revenge against Atlantis for exiling her and her followers to Xebel. Lolana's grand plan to punish Atlantis and rule the Earth is another reminder of why Arthur went down into the Earth to fight in the DC K.O. Tournament.

 

So in Emperor Aquaman #16, Arthur expands his team. Just as the Justice League did after Amanda Waller nearly destroyed them, Arthur wants people around him who embrace his vision. He may not be able to rely on Jackson Hyde to rescue him from meetings with squabbling nobles. But Jackson works with Arion to support Arthur's new lighthouse. And just as Lori Lemaris saw the error of her ways, Arthur hopes he can trust his new allies. But then, Arthur has been living on hope for a long time: searching the oceans for his missing kingdom and then fighting in the Omega Tournament to defeat a seemingly overwhelming villain.

 

Arthur has restored Atlantis. He has rallied his people around a cause. In Jeremy Adams’ story, Arthur builds the foundations for his new empire. To ensure that he can trust his new allies, he undertakes a mission with them. Yet seeds of doubt are already germinating in his fledgling kingdom. And Arthur knows it. He shares their fears that he is overreaching. So, as Arthur attempts to strengthen his country by forging interstellar alliances, he hopes that those seeds of doubt won't blossom into more rebels like Lolana and her followers in Emperor Aquaman #16.

 

Art

Corinthian pillars surround Arthur in the lighthouse spire as he beholds Mera amid a hovering orb of water. As they gaze through the pillars and arches upon the land that Lolanna raised to the surface, King Shark enters the circular outdoor room. He looms over Arthur, gazing down at him. Then King Shark kneels before him and studies the tiles beneath his feet. John Timms surrounds Arthur with majestic architecture as he tours his new lighthouse with Mera and Zan, before traveling to a realm of ethereal beauty.

 

The ivy climbing the fluted columns links with Arthur's pants and Mera's dress, while the gold stone links with their belts and Mera's tiara. King Shark may seem like an outsider. Yet his blue pants link with Zan's Wonder Twin uniform. Arion has also trimmed his beard and adopted a blue uniform, as these outsiders ally themselves with the Avatar of the Blue. Rex Lokus lavishes a palette of rich colors on Emperor Aquaman #16 as Arthur undertakes his first away mission after reclaiming Atlantis. Yet he cannot help but think of Mera, as the people he meets echo her radiant red hair.

 

Dave Sharpe places black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons and Arthur’s thoughts in yellow narrative boxes with green borders. The letters grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. King Shark’s bold words occupy balloons and boxes as gray as his skin, reminding Arthur of his new teammate’s past. Blue dialogue suggests a shared affinity for the Blue. Yet as sound effects rock the lighthouse spire and Arion’s laboratory, they also mark a difficult journey and trouble in paradise. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Lolanna took his home away from him. Arthur fought and died in the Omega Tournament to protect the universe, only to realize that Darkseid still threatens all he holds dear. So when Arthur reclaims his kingdom, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect it and prevent Darkseid from attempting to conquer the universe again in Emperor Aquaman #16.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside, see my preview of Emperor Aquaman #16.  

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Emperor Aquaman #15. 

 

For Arthur Curry and King Shark's visions of the future, see my preview of Justice League Unlimited #17.