Geoff Johns departing Aquaman after issue #25

Geoff Johns announced yesterday that he will be leaving be leaving Aquaman after issue #25. The bleak news was made a bit brighter as Jeff Parker was announced to follow him the Atlantean scribe. The underwater adventures of the Aquaman and company have been quite wonderful since the very first issue of the series. Writer Geoff Johns constantly delivered on the promise of entertaining seafair featuring the Arthur Curry for nearly four years. It is one of the most solid titles that kicked off the New 52 over a consistent basis of time. One of the definitive highlights was the Throne Of Atlantis crossover with the Justice League title. While the plots of stories by Johns are incredibly clear and easy to read, as soon as readers get acquainted with some of the characters he will throw in a twist to keep things interesting. In an interview with IGN the writer had a great quote in what he set out to do with the character,

I think we put him back on the map. The thing I’m really proud of is the fact that Ivan and Joe [Prado] were there for most of it with Blackest Night, Brightest Day, and the Aquaman launch. I feel like not only did we put Aquaman back on the map, but we put Mera on the map, period. I don’t think she’s ever been a character people had really considered before, and I think having those two characters out there as strong as they are together with the mythology that’s there, I think Aquaman feels – and deservedly so – like an A-list, premier DC hero. I hope that carries on; it certainly will carry over to Justice League.

He also detailed hints on why the departure was necessary.

Aquaman is one of the greatest characters at DC Comics and one of my favorites. Ultimately, there are some reveals coming up in the “Death of a King” arc through issue #25 that sets the stage for his world and some of those threats are going to carry over to Justice League in a pretty big story next year. But between making Forever Evil and Justice League the best they can be and Gary [Frank] and I doing Batman: Earth One, issue #25 felt like the right time to bid farewell to him for now.

Jeff Parker seems like a suitable addition to the mythos, who should take could care of this overlooked DC title. The new cover and solicitation text released yesterday give readers some insight into where the book will be going, and some interesting directions for the next chapter of the character’s life.

AQUAMAN #26

Written by JEFF PARKER

Art and cover by PAUL PELLETIER and SEAN PARSONS

1:25 Variant cover by PAUL PELLETIER and SEAN PARSONS

On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

“Sea of Storms” begins with the debut of new AQUAMAN writer Jeff Parker! The Earth’s crust is grinding to life, releasing deadly volcanoes and bizarre creatures…so humanity’s first instinct is to blame Atlantis! And as the plates pull apart, the pressures of ruling a kingdom under siege are weighing on Aquaman and Mera as well!

Aquaman #26 is shipping on December 31st!