Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1

This isn't the best tie-in of the Flashpoint series, but it does feature the most intriguing backstory.  I have a feeling that the Aquaman and Wonder Woman war won't cross over to Flashpoint that dramatically but it's great to see how it effects the world on a global level.  Here, we get a look at the villainous Aquaman and quite frankly, probably one the best versions of Aquaman seen in a LONG time.  Makes me wish they'd keep him around in the new DC universe.  If you want more backstory to the sinking of Europe, look no further.  In a sense, you do get a good weight to the story, and I love the opening pages where Aquaman swims through the collateral damage between his personal feud with Wonder Woman.
 
Bedard does a commendable job at crafting a very complex and ruthless Aquaman.  I do believe that Bedard has a great handle on the character, especially the Flashpoint version.  What's great is that we see a very layered and different look at Aquaman from two different periods of time.  His time with Mera and his time against Diana.  We get to see a remorseful and tragic side of Aquaman along with his ruthless and furious side.  He's a tragic but single-minded figure.  Bedard does a great job of giving the reader enough information without exposition or hitting us over the head with backstory.  I enjoyed the non-linear approach but again, upset at the Super8 comic that breaks the flow of the comic.  It's literally in the middle of an important action sequence (how rare is that statement?).  You almost miss how Bedard crafts his clever double cross.  What I like is the development of Wonder Woman without her actually appearing in the issue.  We see that Mera wears her helmet first.  So Diana killing Mera and wearing her helmet and marrying Aquaman is a cruel and twisted move on her part.  I can't even get into the insane ramifications of that action.  Again, Bedard actually doesn't show us this happening, but he's very clear with the details he does give us.  And I love that "less is more" quality, it's implied but there's no debate as to what happens.
 
Politics are a big part of this issue but nothing too complex we get the DC universe royalty making appearances, from Aquaman, the Amazons, and Geo-Force of Markovia and see their sense of importance and weight as important people in the public DC universe.  I also enjoyed the manipulative and subservient characterization of Ocean Master who is clearly complicit in something shady... 
 
I am definitely picking up issue 2, my only gripe is that there's not much of a story as there is backstory, so I don't know where issue 2 will take us.  Also, I'm a huge fan of Ardian Syaf.  He's like a mix between Andy Kubert and Ed Benes, which makes it a great visual companion to the main Flashpoint series..  He's making his way up as a super star artist and I enjoy his sense of scale, fluidity, and layouts.  However, I find this issue a bit rushed and but the main point is that I hope they lay off the inks next time.  His work is most dynamic when you don't touch it too much, and I look forward to his upcoming artwork.