A Sense of Doubt blog post #4122 - Emperor Aquaman Review - Comic Book Sunday for 2506.31

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4122 - Emperor Aquaman Review - Comic Book Sunday for 2506.31

I love Aquaman.

That's no secret if you have followed my blogs, going back to my t-shirt blog: 

Monday, October 28, 2013

T-Shirt #221: Aquaman

It's why I have an Aquaman category on this blog.

But since the days of the t-shirts blog, Aquaman content has been hit and miss.

Until, that is, Jeremy Adams and John Timms took over the book, and since then it's been fantastic.

Aquaman's powers were amped up with his connection to "the Blue," giving him control over all water as well as fitting into the DC color-themed world powers set with the Green (plants and earth), the Red (animals), and not to mention the entire color wheel of power with the Lanterns.

First, Aquaman finds Atlantis gone and his wife dead

The grown woman claiming to be his daughter turns out to be Mera's mother, arisen again with vengeance as her goal.

Following the DC: KO event, Aquaman returns to rule over an EMPIRE that he is growing throughout the universe.

Also, aware that the strength of any comic is its cast, Adams brought together a fantastic supporting cast, including the ancient wizard Arion, who used to have a book of his own, the Wonder Twins, and Captain Nemo among others.

I love it!!

Following reviews and links to the three most recent issues of the re-branded Emperor Aquaman followed by a cover gallery for the current run that started in 2025.

Happy Comic Book Sunday!

Thanks for tuning in.

These comic book round up links sometimes need to be copied and pasted if the clicking fails.

https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/aquaman-(2025)


https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/aquaman-(2025)/15

8.6 CRITIC

7.3 User

EMPEROR AQUAMAN #15: The New Kingdom

https://nerdinitiative.com/2026/03/11/emperor-aquaman-15-the-new-kingdom/

Deep within the blue and within himself Arthur has always been destined for more and for a larger purpose. After the events of DC K.O. Arthur has been finding out who he truly is and what he is meant to be. He must defeat the Crimson Queen and find out what absolute power truly is!

Creative Team: Jeremy Adam’s (WRITER), John Timms (ART and COVER), Rex Lokus (COLORS), and Dave Sharpe (LETTERS).

Aquaman Spoilers Ahead!

The Story:

I’m a big sucker for heroes going through a finding themself type of phase and Adams ends this arc with Arthur on his ultimate journey of discovery. When Arthur returns home and takes his crown it feels monumental and earned. Until this point the people of Atlantis have been missing, and Arthur has been searching for them and fighting in a tournament against his will. Jeremy creates this strong sense of a new beginning and the endless world of possibilities as we move forward.

The Art and Letters:

Lokus and Timms make the big moments truly feel impactful on the panels. There are fun scenes in the battle as the water is formed into dragons making the fights feel as though anything could happen. The coloring has long been a standout as the vibrancy keeps us pulled in. The grandest moments of all however, are the splash pages where Aquaman returns triumphantly and the detail and coloring hits home how the moment should feel sticking the landing.

Final Thoughts:

Emperor Aquaman #15 is Arthur’s long awaited homecoming. The fourteen issues previous to this have all been building to the moment where he takes his rightful place with his newfound abilities. I sincerely cannot wait for what is next!

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/aquaman-(2025)/16

8.6 CRITIC

6.4 User

https://www.fanlightzone.com/comics/emperor-aquaman-16

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Adams wastes little time in presenting the impact of Curry’s plans. Seeing King Shark bend the knee is a wild visual. The dialogue comes with much gravity behind it. Even with their past, there is a true sense of belief in Shark’s pledge. The writing peeks at how Curry processes this move with his most trusted allies. It results in a move only the King can make. Uniting the houses leads into an ambitious adventure in diplomacy.

Readers watch as Curry’s visit to ne of his lighthouses seems cordial as it can be. The mood is light-hearted with the exchanges of outsiders and residents. Adams flips the switch with one crucial move. The result ushers in a horror story with secrets revealed. It also allows Curry to tear loose on his power upgrade. The sheer notion of what he attempts is wild to comprehend. It works on all levels. For anyone questioning how powerful Aquaman can be, this is a defining moment. The fallout eases readers into a steady close. Adams leaves one more morsel of danger before leaving. It is a massive one with dire repercussions. Absolutely can’t wait to see where this goes.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!

Timms and Lokus open with a small glimpse of Curry handling an issue. The moment is fleeting as a larger one bursts onto the scene. King Shark makes a grand entrance via full page. The impact is felt immediately as the panel of him bending the knee makes a statement. Curry’s reaction is stoic as he processes what is unfolding here. The group shot of him with Shark’s forces levels up the dangers they are walking into. From here, Lokus’ coloring steals the issue.

The full page visual of the Lighthouse sets the tone for the remainder of the story. Timms’ attention to detail during the feast is excellent. It allows for some characters to let their guard down. The moment becomes key as the true villains make their appearance. A half panel shows the horrors being unleashed. Readers watch as the attack spreads quickly throughout the headquarters. Aquamans’ use of his new abilities take over. The full page breaks down each move to a thunderous finish. It’s epilogue is more calm to escort everyone back to their corners. This allows the final pages to hit a direct bullseye. A familiar face gets a full page image to close up show with. Readers can’t ask for better in this situation.

FINAL GRADE: 8.8

Aquaman has a new ally whether he wants him or not in this impactful issue. Adams’s writing forces the King into uncharted territory with great success. Timms and Lokus deliver on an incredible visual ride. The Lighthouse initiative is already paying dividends on re-energizing Aquaman’s legacy! Don’t miss it!

https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/aquaman-(2025)/17

Critic = 9.1

User = 5.3

https://lylesmoviefiles.com/2026/05/15/dc-comics-absolute-batman-20/3/

Writer Jeremy Adams is always mindful of big events in the DC Universe. He doesn’t treat them like suggestions, instead using them as guidelines for where to take his titles in the aftermath. For Emperor Aquaman, that means Arthur is fortifying the blue in preparation of the cataclysmic event he saw in a vision following the aftermath of DC KO.

This issue finds Aquaman exploring another realm accompanied by Jarro and Captain Nemo. Adding Nemo to the supporting cast was a brilliant and sensible move as he’s not a domineering character, but he has plenty of narrative credibility and if he follows Aquaman, that makes him look all the more impressive. But it’s Jarro who proves the more useful ally this issue as Aquaman and team encounter a being with deep ties to Starro’s offspring.

Artists John Timms and Paolo Villanelli craft some spectacular visuals especially when Aquaman and Jarro come face to…face with their opponent. Timms has been a very consistent artist, and he’s delivered with this prime opportunity on Aquaman. Villanelli handles the opening act sequence with Mera and Lori. Colorist Rex Lokus provides a spectacular array of colors taking full advantage of the opportunities with detailed backdrops as Aquaman explores new realms and builds up The Lighthouse.  Letterer Dave Sharpe does solid work with the standard dialogue as well as making the more alien text stand out.

Emperor Aquaman has been a solid read so far with an intriguing new direction that’s keeping the title one of the more pleasant surprises in the post DC KO-DC landscape.

Rating: 9 out of 10

COVER GALLERY

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.31 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3986 days ago & DAD = 640 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4121 - Star Trek Ends Streaming

Star Fleet Academy - Lura Thok

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4121 - Star Trek Ends Streaming

New shows, that is.

I hope they do not remove the other shows from the platform as I haven't watched them all.

That's all today!

Thanks for tuning in.

Paramount+ Is Dismantling Star Trek After a Historic 9-Year Streaming Run

https://www.cbr.com/paramount-dismantling-star-trek-historic-9-year-streaming-run/

By George Chrysostomou

Published Mar 25, 2026, 11:57 AM EDT

Star Trek has had a challenging history with contemporary audiences. Because it has not been able to reach the heights of popularity that it once held due to those early seasons. The new wave of Star Trek movies went a long way in taking the franchise into the mainstream, and for a time, it looked as if the series was going to go down this rebranded route for the long-term.

As fans know, that didn't end up coming to fruition, and although there are always discussions about returning to the Star Trek film universe for future outings, right now, those projects have been put on pause. It ultimately didn't matter because Star Trek fans were satisfied with a new structure of programming that seemed to finally promise that the franchise was here to stay. Shockingly, for the first time in nearly a decade, that status now looks uncertain.

Star Trek Made A Triumphant Comeback To TV

Back in 2017, a major moment in Star Trek history occurred. Star Trek: Discovery was commissioned, a series that promised to take its viewers to new worlds alongside a debuting crew of diverse characters. It was a show that paid homage to the golden age of Star Trek lore but boldly went where the series hadn't gone in quite a while: to new territory.

Star Trek: Discovery was designed to be a franchise-builder, away from the recent movie run and in line with a whole host of concept ideas on how to further add to this universe. Star Trek: Discovery's early success was enough to move forward with some of those spinoffs, and thus, a new era of Star Trek mythology was born.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is directly tied to its predecessor, but it was much bolder with its narrative design. The showrunners took bigger risks, resulting in increased ratings and a more positive critical consensus. The franchise also began to recast early characters like Spock, who had already made such an impact. It was time to refresh the franchise, and that's where unusual ideas came to the forefront.

A show like Star Trek: Lower Decks, for instance, would never have been commissioned over a decade ago. An animated adult comedy set in the Star Trek world didn't feel like a natural next step, and yet it absolutely thrived. Introducing a crew so popular that fans demanded to see them in live-action, Star Trek: Lower Decks was able to play with the franchise format in a meta way.

It poked fun at what had come before, creating a new legacy in the process. This sparked other unusual crossovers, supporting this shared universe approach to the material. But to move forward, the series also had to look back. Star Trek still needed to appease fans from prior years, and that's where a show like Picard comes into play.

This was a chance to tell new stories with a fan favorite character, and although the early seasons weren't quite as high-quality as expected, later into the run, Picard really earned its comeback. Throughout these 9 years, there was a robust array of Star Trek projects in the works, each offering something unconventional in a niche area of the franchise. At a certain stage, it all went wrong, leading to this new era of uncertainty.

For The First Time In 9 Years, There Are No Shows In Development

Some of the shows mentioned above came to an end in a natural way. They had reached their narrative conclusions, and while they could have been dragged out longer, it was best for all involved to end on a high note. That's natural and a sign of the TV scape working. Because there was always a new Star Trek series to take the last one's place.

Fans had gone years without any new stories told within this world, at least on the small screen. Suddenly, they were met with a vast array of exciting possibilities across the whole timeline. While the likes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks might have grabbed headlines, the franchise did begin to over-extend itself.

Star Trek: Prodigy was a kids-focused series positioned to be Star Trek's answer to the likes of Star Wars Resistance. While entertaining in its own right, it never quite found its audience. Parents attempted to get their kids to engage in the saga they loved so much, but there wasn't anything groundbreaking about the adventure show and its unusual animation style. Thus, it was canceled after 2 seasons.

Then, there was the bold decision to go back to a cinematic format, this time with a straight-to-streaming movie starring Michelle Yeoh. Star Trek: Section 31 was deliberately designed as a spin-off of Discovery. It should have been the culmination of this era and a promise for more cinematic events just like it. Unfortunately, fans failed to connect with this story.

While Star Trek: Section 31 boasted some potential, it simply wasn't good enough to sustain its footing. The film faded into the background and made Paramount uneasy about future commissions of that nature. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is the final nail in that coffin. Because the series was promised to be the future of the franchise, literally training the next wave of recruits who may star in adventures for decades to come.

With a falling viewership and the fan base losing interest in what many saw as a teen-focused lens to the material, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was canceled despite glowing reviews. So, for the first time in 9 years, there are no Star Trek shows currently airing and the plans for the future are in doubt.

The Franchise Failed To Create New Fans

Now, it should be noted that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return in 2026 for its fourth season. However, this will not be the final season of the show, with another one already commissioned. Paramount is dead set on wrapping up the series soon thereafter, meaning there will be a major gap in the calendar.

Outside of this, there is little movement on other potential projects. A rumored animated series is now unlikely to go ahead, while there is no confirmation of other Star Trek: Strange New Worlds spin-offs gaining a backdoor pilot in the latest series. Equally, despite discussions of a return to the "Kelvin Timeline" movie universe, there is also significant doubt about whether this will go ahead as planned.

This puts fans in a dilemma. While they must support any new seasons of Star Trek that debut in the coming years, what's more important is spreading the message around this franchise. Because there is an evidential shift for Paramount away from multiple seasons of Star Trek every year, perhaps towards a more focused outreach. Paramount might even be keen to give the franchise a break altogether.

The reason that Paramount has moved away from this franchise as a brand builder is that it is an unreliable source of future growth. Star Trek has been unable to create new fans, at least, not on a grand scale. Many of the series that have been released thus far have pulled in those who fell in love with the show back in the day.

Those who did sign up for these new adventures haven't been convinced to tune in for every spin-off. The result is that Paramount has stretched the franchise without being able to capture a mainstream audience with many of its projects. This is a major shift in strategy for the brand and one that may only get worse in the coming years.

Paramount is now acquiring Warner Bros. and everything that the movie company has in its archives. With franchises like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and Looney Tunes in its back pocket, Star Trek doesn't need to be the hero series that Paramount must rely upon for much longer.

Star Trek could not sustain cultural relevance quite like those other brands when it was constantly producing television. Maybe with a reduced model, there is hope to rebuild.

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.30 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3985 days ago & DAD = 639 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4120 - Can black cumin lower cholesterol?

Black cumin seeds, also known as nigella or kalonji, are commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4120 - Can black cumin lower cholesterol?

Just this share.

Always looking for ways to be healthy.

Thanks for tuning in.

The lesser-known spice that can help reduce cholesterol

This spice has been linked to improved cholesterol levels – and it's easy to add to everyday meals.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/article/spice-cholesterol-health-black-cumin-152428729.html

Emma Clarke, Contributor

Updated Thu, April 2, 2026 at 6:32 AM PDT

3 min read

Cholesterol is something many of us hear about, but it can be easy to overlook. While it’s essential for building cells and producing hormones, having too much of the “bad” kind (LDL) can increase your risk of serious health problems.

High cholesterol is linked to one in five cardiovascular disease deaths in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation. Despite this, more than half of UK adults are thought to have levels above recommended guidelines.

The good news is, small changes to your diet could help. One ingredient that’s been getting attention is black cumin – also known as nigella seeds or kalonji – which is a staple in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.

A 2025 clinical trial by Osaka Metropolitan University found that people who ate around a tablespoon of black cumin seed powder daily for eight weeks saw improvements in their cholesterol levels – including lower LDL and higher “good” HDL.

"This study strongly suggests that black cumin seeds are useful as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases," Professor Kojima–Yuasa said. "It was so gratifying to see black cumin comprehensively demonstrate actual, demonstrable blood lipid-lowering effects in a human trial."

While more research is needed, the findings suggest this humble cupboard ingredient could play a role in supporting heart health, and it’s easy to add to everyday meals, from curries to roasted veg.

6 other benefits of black cumin

Blue nigella sativa flowers are where black cumin seeds come from before they’re harvested and dried.

1. Full of antioxidants

Studies have shown that black cumin is packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your body from free radical cell damage.

2. Has anti-inflammatory effects

Black cumin has also been noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, which could help to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. There has also been research into the effects of black cumin on the management of chronic conditions, such as asthma, and on wound healing.

3. Antibacterial qualities

Additional studies have shown that black cumin boosts significant antibacterial properties, including activity against certain bacteria. This could help boost the immune system and fight off diseases and viruses.

4. May help protect the liver

Black cumin seeds have previously been used to treat liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver and chronic hepatitis C. While more evidence is needed to support this link, there has been no evidence to suggest that black cumin has worsened liver diseases during treatment.

Some studies suggest black cumin may help protect the stomach lining and support digestive health.

5. Could help prevent stomach ulcers

Sometimes, when stomach acid eats away at the protective layer of mucus that lines the stomach, ulcers are formed – and they can be incredibly painful. A 2023 review found trials based on animal research showed that nigella seeds could help preserve the stomach lining, and, therefore, prevent ulcers.

6. Help with blood sugar levels

There has also been some research into the link between black cumin seeds and blood sugar levels, with a clinical review finding that the spice may improve both blood sugar and insulin levels during fasting and after a meal.

How to use black cumin seeds at home

Adding black cumin to your diet doesn’t have to be complicated – a little goes a long way.

• Sprinkle over roasted vegetables like carrots, cauliflower or potatoes

• Stir into curries, stews or lentil dishes for extra depth of flavour

• Add to flatbreads or naan dough before baking

• Toss through salads or grain bowls for a peppery crunch

• Lightly toast and sprinkle over soups or dips

• Mix into yoghurt or drizzle over hummus

• Add a pinch to smoothies or porridge for a subtle boost

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2605.29 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3984 days ago & DAD = 638 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.