Perhaps the most complex and intricate Justice League story I’ve ever personally read, Throne of Atlantis is loaded with war, internal conflicts, deception and a number of twists you don’t typically take in through this specific medium. It’s a fast-paced piece that reads and looks amazing (as for the looks, I’ll be delivering my review of the animated film in the immediate future), and if you’ve never been a big Justice League follower, reading this tale – especially the beautiful hardcover collection that includes a DVD as well as a Blu-ray of the film – might turn you into a dedicated follower of the League.

As for the story, I’ll be as vague as possible and tell you that a naval test goes awry and a series of missiles plummet towards the bottom of the ocean. And deep beneath the sea, the army of Atlantis takes the arrival of explosives as a clear ignition point of a war they will not stand by idly and watch, nor will they lose. But as Orn, evil brother to Aquaman, makes his way to the surface to bring hell to those who walk on dry land, pieces of a different puzzle are coming together, and they all point to an accidental war that is anything but accidental.

That’s all we can give you here, because believe this: you need to read this story. Geoff Johns’ epic tale is beautifully illustrations by Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier, Tony S. Daniel and Brad Walker. All keep the look of the story cohesive, and all gift us some stunning background visuals. The characters themselves don’t always exist as the star of the show, although I must say I’ve never seen Orn look so menacing and intimidating. This story really gives readers an idea of how sharp, savage and downright entertaining Orn is. This is one severely underrated villain, for sure.

If you’re looking for an excellent storyline to hold your attention for a few hours, get your hands on the stunning hardcover/disc combo. It’s a must-have. It was a gift given to me for my 35^th birthday, and I was more than pleased by the gift, I was certifiably stoked. And it all lived up to expectations. Throne of Atlantis makes for a marvelous book and an action-packed, gratifying film, as well!

Rating: 4.5/5