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Wacky Wizard Games Imprint and Three New Games Announced by @wwizardgames

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Wise Wizard Games announced the launch of Wacky Wizard Games, a new brand imprint focused on family-friendly, lightweight games. Three games are planned for release in 2024 as part of this new brand imprint: Star Realms Academy, Caution Signs, and Pack the Essentials. If you are interested and attending PAX Unplugged they will have prototypes of Caution Signs and Pack the Essentials. "We are super excited to be adding this new family friendly product line to our catalog. We wanted to maintain the focus of Wise Wizard Games on strategy card and dice games with geeky themes, and have created Wacky Wizard Games as an umbrella for lightweight games with a more whimsical, cute vibe," shared Debbie Moynihan, COO of Wise Wizard Games. Star Realms Academy Forge your own star realms, overloaded with cuteness! A kid friendly but still fun for grown-ups version of the popular Star Realms deckbuilding game for 2 players. A little less math, no reading necessary, but still tons of fun! 

Guest Review: Aquaman #15

Throne of Atlantis, Chapter Two


Solicit


Crossover with JUSTICE LEAGUE!

Part 2 of “THRONE OF ATLANTIS!”

Atlantis invades the surface world!

Preview





Review


Who's Side is Aquaman On? Original Review by Johnkmccubbin91 at Comic Vine


This has been a fantastic series, and I have really enjoyed seeing Aquaman as in a brilliant series. Like many other great characters, Geoff Johns has done an amazing job of bringing them back to form, and I don't think this series would last long without his brilliant writing.

Plot

This issue sees a continuation of Justice League #15, where a lot of the land has been covered in water. Aquaman, and Batman save as many people as they can in Gotham City, whilst Superman and Wonder Woman does the same in Metropolis. Aquaman also confronts Ocean Master in this issue.

Review

A brilliant continuation to a great story. Geoff Johns has done a brilliant job continuing this story, and I love how even though it benefits reading Justice League #15, this issues been written in a way that you don't real have to. I've also liked how he's made this issue centered more around Aquaman, whilst keeping the other characters involved. I did however think that the story hadn't progressed as much as I'd hoped it was but hope the next part will. This issue story wise was however better than Justice League #15, and with the Ocean Master being properly introduced to the story the rest should be even better.

The art from Paul Pelletier was very good, but not fantastic. I knew the artist replacing Ivan Reis wouldn't be better than him, but I think that after becoming accustomed to his great art that Pelletier's art looks more worse than it actually is. His art on the whole is actually very good, it's just the odd inconsistency, and lack of detail that lets it down slightly. I also thought that he drew the movement of objects like fire and water brilliantly, and that he showed the anger in Ocean Mater's face perfectly. I also liked how he drew the other members of the Justice League in this issue, but did think that their hair looked a bit odd at times, especially whilst moving or in the distance.

Wonder Woman Defending Superman
Near the start of this issue Superman is trying to reason with Vulko, but after Vulko, who's in a panic and hurry, punches Superman, Wonder Woman steps in telling him that she will decapitate him if he does that again. With Superman and Wonder Woman spending as much time as they have together recently it was interesting seeing Wonder Woman defending him, although she probably would have anyway. It was also nice to see Vulko having a role in this story as I've been quite interested in finding out what he knows, and can do, since Aquaman #0.

Batman and Aquaman Escape Death
The interaction between Aquaman and Batman in this issue was also very interesting, and I liked that Batman started to understand how hard this situation is for Aquaman. It was also interesting to see how they both reacted to the situation at hand, with Aquaman hoping for a peaceful solution, and Batman seeing the more realistic solution of taking Ocean Master down.

It was also nice seeing Mera still have a role in this series, even if it isn't much, as she's been a great side character throughout this series, and helped Aquaman a lot. It was also interesting to see that the assault from Atlantis was to much for her, and although she tried very hard to help, her powers weren't enough.

The Trench also make a brief appearance in this issue, which is interesting as they haven't been in the series for quite a few issues. It will also be interesting to see what part if any these creatures have in this story, as if they are involved than the Justice League's job will be even harder than it already is.

The Justice League Steps In
Nearer the end of this issue Aquaman requests to have a shot at bringing Ocean Master in quietly, by himself. The anger in Ocean Master, whilst talking to Aquaman is easy to see, and he appeared to be more angry after finding Aquaman than before. During this conversation the Justice League decide that it's not going as easy as Aquaman said it would, and step in. This movement angers Ocean Master even more, and also makes Aquaman question even more about who's side he's on. This sequence alone looks like it's going to make the story even better, as with Aquaman torn between the Justice League, and Atlantis it will be interesting to see who he choses.

Final Verdict

This was a tremendous issue and a great continuation to what is looking to be an brilliant story. The only reason this loses a couple of points in the ratings is because the story hasn't progressed quite, as much as I hoped it to be, and the art isn't fantastic. I would however still recommend this issue, as well as Justice League #15 which was also out this week, and am looking forward to the continuation of this story in Justice League #16.

Rating: 4/5



What I Thought


See the Review Rating Overview page for more information on how I rate each comic 

Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.9


It seems like I have different opinions on the art for this issue and John, like I did with Tom in his review of Justice League #15. And I'm not sure why because I liked Ivan's work in Aquaman #14. Then again the inker and colorist can have a big effect on the art based on how well the blend. I'm highly enjoying this arc so far. Unfortunately if you read my thoughts on JL #15 you will see that I read them out of order and had to adjust my ranking. The only reason the flow is still not perfect is Ocean Master's speech pattern. It seemed like his conversations were forced. They tried to play it off as speaking as land dwellers, but it came off a little corny and I felt like Ocean Master lost authority. I also liked the fact that they explained why Flash was missing as he was dealing with ape trouble.


Purchase Aquaman #15
Purchase Aquaman #15 (Variant Cover Edition)
Purchase Aquaman #15 (Blank Cover)
Purchase Hawkeye #6

John McCubbin is a blogger at http://imaginationcentre.blogspot.co.uk/ and a comic book reviewer at Comic Vine. The use of this review has been authorized by the original author.

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