I'm of two minds with this issue. It could easily have been the intro to a story arc in the regular monthly title as we've seen those loyal to him plotting his escape already. Plus it wasn't really a tie-in to the whole villains secret society thing in my eyes. However that being said this really was a pretty good story which gave us some characterization about Ocean Master and about the man he is and could be. I just wish this was a Secret Society tie-in because this just felt like a normal issue of the regular book and doesn't necessarily stand out. Read Full Review

Well worth the extra dollar for the awesome cover, this was one of my favorites of not only the week, but the entire Villains Month event. Bedard sure knows how to write compelling villains, but it was just an added bonus to see him throw in a redeeming moment for a villain. Ocean Master is a bad guy, yes, but its his circumstances that make him such. And, you know, the fact that hes the (former) king of a species vastly different from our own. The last half of this book felt almost like I was watching a blockbuster disaster film with a super-villain in the foreground. It was the very definition of epic. Read Full Review

Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master does not offer an origin, but what it does offer is so much more. It gives the reader an opportunity to see what is going on in the mind of a man that is bound to protecting his own people, yet he is faced with seeing innocent humans being slaughtered and tormented all around him. He has his own set of beliefs it is the conclusion of this issue that shows us just how any character has the ability to grow no matter how hard their heart might seem. Read Full Review

Aquaman #23.2 is a good issue.  Orm is not a true villain.  He isn't a horrible guy intent on the destruction of the World.  He is a man who just wants to go home and make sure his people are ok.   I loved Orm before this issue and it did nothing to quell that love. Read Full Review

Although the ending may be much less than most readers will be expecting from a comic it doesn't eclipse all the great moments that happen before it. There are too many great moments for the Ocean Master in this book for the bad ending to wash away.If you're a fan of Ocean Master, the ongoingAquamanseries or the recentJustice League/Aquamancrossover, “Throne of Atlantis,” then pick this up. Read Full Review

As a one-shot package, this is a good issue. Some really nice characterisation of Orm and some backstory on him as well. To use a common parlance, this is a 75% show, 25% tell kind of story, and it largely works. Read Full Review

AQUAMAN #23.2 OCEAN MASTER is an incredibly fun issue that takes a look at who Orm is and what makes him tick. While some of this stuff may be repetitive to long-time AQUAMAN readers, it is a great read for fans and newbies alike, which is a breath of fresh air, especially to people chomping at the bit to jump onto this series. The best part of the issue is that is really feels like a part of the main series, as far as the art and writing go, even though it had a new creative team, minus Rod Reis, on the issue. Overall, this was a great read, and it gets a high recommendation. Read Full Review

Unlike a lot of 'Villains Month' books, this isn't an origin tale. Which is fine. Even preferable really. It builds up further one of Aquaman's major supporting characters/villains and sets him up for his eventual return to Atlantis. The art is really good. The characterization was strong. All in all, a solid entry. Read Full Review

The issue provides more suggestions of the villain's life than hard information, but it's nonetheless an interesting glimpse into his still-developing moral boundaries and attitudes towards a world he considers foreign. Stronger art would have been appreciated. Read Full Review

Really nice rounded issue that is as enjoyable to read as it is to look at Read Full Review

Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master is another decent offering from DC's Villains Month. Offering the reader, new or old, a look into Orm's worldview and what motivates him, this served as a good issue setting up his feature appearances in the DC Universe. I'm certainly looking forward to his return to Atlantis, following the collapse of Arthur's rule under the challenge of the Dead King. Read Full Review

Artist Geraldo Borges has a style that fits right in line with current Aquaman artist Paul Pelletier, and thanks to Rod Reis' gloomy blue color palette keeping up appearances, it actually surprised me to see that it wasn't Pelletier who drew this issue. From the flippin' sweet opening splash page to the creepy facial expressions Ocean Master makes when he murders a human who showed him kindness, Borges hits all the right notes. Read Full Review

Ocean Master doesn't exactly become a hero in this issue, but his triumphant return to save that boy at the end is very exciting. I was fully prepared to let him walk out to sea and accept that he's a heartless bastard, but with that cliffhanger, Johns and Bedard proved that this former king is far more complicated than one might expect. Ocean Master isn't crazy like the Joker or Lex Luthor. He was the king of a foreign country whose thoughts and mannerisms are simply different from our own. That makes him uniquely interesting. Read Full Review

Geraldo Borges' art is decent, though he really excels at the water scenes. The opening splash page, involving OM and his crew ready to slap out at the surface dwellers, is amazing. The on-land pencils are a little lackluster. They lack the punch of the aquatic art. Borges has a nice handle on pacing. Very little happens here action wise, but the story never drags. I wouldn't consider the work in Ocean Master exceptional, but it does have its merits. Read Full Review

"Aquaman #23.2: Ocean Master" has ties to "Forever Evil" and makes a strong case for Ocean Master to be considered a villain. It doesn't delve into the former ruler's origins, choosing instead to walk beside him as he seeks out his future. While this issue is closed with the tagline of "Not the End!" no indication is given if the story of Ocean Master continues in the pages of "Forever Evil" or "Aquaman." Villains Month is winding down. Given the overall impact of this tale, I'd say that's a good thing. I look forward to Ocean Master being more dynamic as a foe of Aquaman once again instead of simply being evil out of apathy. Read Full Review

Probably one of the weaker Villains Month issues I've read so far, the art is fair but the meat of the book is fairly unsubstantial and all they do is bait you with ideas that Ocean Master might, kind of, sort of, become something other than a villain in the future. I wouldn't recommend it. Read Full Review

Very good issue! Story and art both very solid and it was cool to see Orm not so much a villain as a character whose morality is totally different than most of one in the present day.