You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez is an Aqualad novel. This graphic novel tells the tale of Jake who absolutely loves the ocean, but has an overprotective mother who tells him to stay away. Jake believes the reason she doesn’t want him near the ocean is due to his father drowning. He later discovers that this is not necessarily the truth.

Unlike most of DC Ink’s graphic novels, this one isn’t action-packed. In fact, Jake never physically comes across a supervillain — okay, kind of, but not? Hashtag spoilers. Instead, You Brought Me the Ocean focuses on a story of friendship and figuring out who you are.

Jake has a best friend, Maria, who’s known him since their childhood days & Maria has a thing for him. However, Jake has a secret — he’s gay. He doesn’t really get to explore his sexuality until he starts hanging out with another student named Kenny; something he keeps secret from Maria.

Black Manta, Aquaman’s supervillain enemy, is referred to a few times in You Brought Me the Ocean. But the villains in this graphic novel are a bit smaller than him — & honestly, even scarier because they are hella homophobic humans. This group of bullies attack Jake and Kenny and, at points of the story, declare “kill the queers.”

All-in-All, You Brought Me the Ocean is such an important story for young readers, especially those who are coming to terms with who they are.

There are so many great things about this book but there's one that really stood out to me and that is the character Kenny. Kenny is Jake's (the MC) love interest, but he's not just some bland filler character. No. Kenny is an openly gay character in a town of backward thinking people but he doesn't let that influence the way he sees himself. He's got the attitude of "yes, I'm gay. So what?" I love that he's so confident in himself and his feelings! I love that despite his father "not coming to terms" with his sexuality, his father doesn't turn his back on him. Kenny's father still loves his son and finds a way to connect with him...and even helps a little when it comes to Kenny's crush but that's a bit of a spoiler so.. ;) it's heartening to read about a LGBT+ character who has a supportive parent, who loves himself and doesn't hide and who has the courage to help another person learn to feel comfortable with themselves. All in all I think Kenny stole the show for me. Although Jake is definitely an intriguing MC! He's coming to terms about his feelings both in his love life and his life in general. Jake finds out some shocking news the dad he thought had drowned...and well while this book has a premise of superpowers, I think the real super powers lie in the friendships Jake has with Maria and Kenny. In knowing that love takes on many forms and it doesn't always have to be romantic. It's a beautiful story told with gorgeous art and incredible banter and humor mixed in with tough decisions and lots of love!

Jake loves water and the ocean. Unfortunately, he's stuck in the middle of the desert in New Mexico, where his mother insists they live. At least he has his best friend Maria, who secretly wants more than friendship from Jake. Jake has more than one secret, though. He's applied for college out-of-state, he is really interested in the swim team captain Kenny, and if that wasn't enough, his arms and legs glow when they become wet. What's up with that? Can Jake figure out the truth behind his body and in his heart, or will the consequences of his past and his lying to Maria catch up with him?⁣
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I wanted to like this story, and it did have potential and some heartfelt moments, but I don't think it hit the mark. Many moments were unintentionally funny, and I feel like the two primary side characters Kenny and Maria were not handled well in some ways. Maria comes across as a little bit hypocritical considering she's guilty of the same sins she accuses Jake of. Kenny is handled a little better, but beyond serving as the primary romantic interest, he gets short shrift in certain areas of his character development. Other characters such as Jake's mom and Kenny's dad alternated between some great moments and unrealistic actions. A moment that I particularly did enjoy was when Jake has a moment of crisis, and he talks to Maria's dad privately. Despite how different the two of them are, Maria's dad finds a way to connect with Jake and reassure him, and offer guidance. That was perhaps the best part of the story. Aside that, I found many aspects unrealistic and unfulfilled. You Brought Me The Ocean, but it didn't quench my thirst.⁣
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Story: ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⁣⁣⁣⁣
Artwork: ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⁣⁣⁣⁣

You Brought Me the Ocean is an origin story for Aqualad, this time as a gay Black teen living in the US Southwest. So many secrets. His mother's been keeping him away for water his entire life, but why? What are the "birthmarks" on his arms and why do they glow when exposed to water? Is he gay? Why does everyone think he's dating his best friend Maria? And is it time to talk to the only out gay guy at school? Or do more than talk?

Long-time readers of queer comics will be familiar with Julie Maroh's art. Soft lines and a pencils and watercolor feel. Subdued colors. Lots of longing looks. This was my first time reading anything by Alex Sanchez, however, and I was pleased.

Jake (Aqualad) falls for Kenny, a Chinese-American boy with green hair and a conservative dad who uses a wheelchair. Kenny feels trapped in town because if he leaves his father will be managing the local inn alone since his mother passed away years ago. He's the only out gay kid and that's also isolating, even if he has some friends. The romance between Jake and Kenny is complicated but felt true and deep.

Readers should know that You Brought Me the Ocean is heavy on homophobia, including some actual gay-bashing. Jake's long-time best friend is Mexican-American and she's been waiting for years for Jake to finally want to date her. She's initially angry when she finds Jake and Kenny kissing, but it's not homophobia so much as really hurt feelings based on an assumption she never should have made.

They're all seniors in high school, which adds another element of uncertainty to the story. I'm not sure about you, but my family decided that when I was 18, I got to know all the messy family business and this felt a bit like that. (Why is it that everyone wants to turn your life completely upside down when you're already in a period of massive transition?)

In all, this book is beautifully illustrated and a bit heart-breaking but ultimately a loving and hopeful origin story for a young man destined for great things.

***

Content Warnings: homophobia, bullying, assault

Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Jake Hyde doesn't swim because his father had drowned. Living in New Mexico has few opportunities for swimming, though he yearns for the ocean on some level and applied for college in Florida despite his mother's urging to stay safe. He's also very attracted to Kenny Liu, the swim team captain. The markings on his skin glow blue in contact with water and is an oddity he can't explain. Does he hide all of this, or does he embrace all of himself?

Julie Maroh does the art on this graphic novel, and it's beautifully rendered in what looks like watercolors. Dreams of the ocean are all in layered blues and the real world in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico are earth-toned. Jake's mother is very much a worrywart, and his best friend Maria lives next door. He hasn't quite realized that Maria is crushing on him, or that he is crushing on Kenny. There is also the fact that his birthmarks glow, and that as time goes on he can actually manipulate water.

Jake has powers and is gay. He isn't sure how to deal with either truth, so this is a story about accepting all aspects of his identity. This includes sexuality as well as his heritage, and when that's revealed it explains his mother's extreme fear and worry about him.

He's no hero, just a high school boy facing the choices that high schoolers have to face. This makes it a story that many teens, particularly LGBT ones, will be able to identify with. It's difficult to figure out who you are, and the additional struggles add to the stress that Jake is going through. He can't do it alone, and it's only by seeking out his support system that he can figure out what to do with his life.

HUGE shoutout to DC Comics for sending me this free copy of You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez and illustrated by Julie Maroh!

This is a reimagined Aqualad story and centers around Jake Hyde. He doesn't swim since his father drowned, but he still feels a pull to the water. He wants to leave New Mexico to explore life on his own, but his best friend Maria and his mother both want him to stay. Jake is facing hard choices, both with what to do with his newly discovered powers to manipulate water and his attraction to swim team captain Kenny.

This is really a sweet coming of age/first love story. Jake is the main character, but reading about Maria dealing with her own feelings and Kenny dealing with rejection over his sexuality added a depth to the story. I really enjoyed this reimagining!

Jake Hyde is an African American high school senior growing up in land-locked Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. His best friend, and next-door neighbor, Maria has a deep and unrequited crush for Jake. Jake suspects this, and tries to maintain some distance, because he really cares for Maria but he's pretty sure that he's got his own crush...on Kenny Liu, a green-haired swimmer at school. Kenny is out and proud, fighting back against bullies Jake doesn't really want to tangle with.

Jake has no knowledge of his father, and his overprotective mom works long hours as a nurse, so he spends a lot of time bonding with Maria's father. Jake has secretly applied to Miami University to study marine biology, his real passion. This is antithetical to Maria's plans to attend the Univ of New Mexico together--and to stay far from the ocean--his mom's dearest wish.

The essential conflicts are clearly elaborated in the limited writing format of the graphic novel, and well-supported by the evocative illustration. It's easy to read the youthful yearning of Jake, Maria and Kenny. Their expressions and body language translate the story without confusion The bullies are ever present, and Jake is about to discover the true nature of the odd markings on his arms.

I enjoyed the story, which has a predictable, yet affirming, coming-out story. For me, knowing that this was a coming-out story, as well as an origin story, meant the plot needed to encompass a lot of changes in a little time. Jake has to navigate the difficult conversations with Maria, Kenny, and his mom about his plans, his attractions and the startling powers he's discovering by accident. I felt the combined written story and illustration did manage to support the many points of intersection between youth, sexuality, coming of age, and development of Aqualad's powers.

I read a preview copy and couldn't stop turning the pages. I enjoyed the artwork, felt it conveyed all the descriptions a traditional novel would describe. It's a compelling story, and I appreciated the inclusive character drawings. Kenny's Asian-American, and Maria has Mexican descent. The youthful struggles Jake experiences are only magnified by the increased inadvertent development of his water-bending powers. The secret of his paternity is a heavy burden to carry, and I liked how that solidified his resolve to make better choices. He's able to best his bullies, using good sense and a little bit of humor. The resolution demonstrates Jake's willingness to do the right thing, taking his place in the DC superhero pantheon. He's true to himself in all the ways possible.

Super grateful to DC Entertainment for putting an ARC into my hands.

This is both a superhero origin story, and a story of queer emergence. It tells the story of Jake, his best friend Maria Mendez, and his emerging love interest, Kenny Liu.

Jake is hiding a lot from the people in his life. He wants to move away to Miami and study oceanography. He's starting to realize he's maybe gay, and definitely drawn to Kenny. And those strange markings on his arms? Sometimes they glow. Sometimes they control water. Things aren't looking altogether ordinary.

There's a magical realist feel to this graphic novel. The world is contemporary and realistic (and Truth or Consequences is a real town). There's a strong connecting thread of oceans, water, and thirst, that leans so far into the metaphor that it starts to become real. In this context, the magical elements feel like something stolen from the cracks in reality.

With this texture and tone, I actually didn't need to see the story connect through to the DC canon; while the references to Superman and Aquaman were a fun touch, I almost think the story would have been stronger if Jake's eccentricities were held out of the context of any other superpowers or abilities.

...Still. When *DC* is printing a beautiful story of queer romance, with a diverse cast showcasing a spectrum of race and ability? It's pretty badass. Way to go, modern world.

The art in this piece is really compelling. It's by Julie Maroh, the person who created Blue is the Warmest Colour. The lineart can be very beautiful in some panels, and almost clumsy in others. But the graphite/watercolour texture is stunning. And the colour palette? (Fanning myself.)

As is so often the case, I wish this was longer. But I have to say. As tired and beat and exhausted as I feel right now? It's kind of nice to find a book I can read in a single evening. I actually don't know if this is intended as a standalone or the start of a longer series, but it felt like a sparse, complete arc that could stand alone but doesn't have to. I really loved this, and I would absolutely read more in this world.

I do agree with what a lot of other reviewers are saying about this book in that it is kind of awkward and dated, but I also still think there is value to be found in it and I did enjoy reading it for the most part. I have basically no prior knowledge on Aqualad so I don't know how this compares to any other version of the character or origin story but I think it was a [mostly] cute enough take on it for new readers. I could have done without the brief moments of actually fairly violent homophobia and a few other things that make this book seem like it's set about 15-20 years in the past, but overall I think it's a good title and I'm glad I read it. I do really like DC's new series of standalone comics for young readers but they are obviously not perfect and hopefully they will listen to reader feedback and continue to make progress in the future.

The Quick Cut: Teen boy finds that his life isn't everything that he was told when he goes to the swim team captain for help on being his more authentic self.

A Real Review:
Thank you to DC Entertainment for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Parents often lie to their children in order to protect them from harm or keep them safe. However, sometimes its those little things we do to protect those we care about that come to haunt us later on. For Jake Hyde, it is these little secrets that come back to haunt him when he discovers that his life isn't entirely what he has been told.

Jake Hyde lives in the middle of the desert in New Mexico, but his heart belongs in the ocean. Even though his dad drowned when he was a baby, Jake has always felt a connection to the water in a way that he cannot describe. So when he begins to find that he's hiding so many secrets that his best friend Maria doesn't even seem to know the true Jake, he seeks to find answers in a classmate named Kenny. Kenny is the swim team captain and often bullied classmate because of his status as an openly gay individual. He chooses to be his true self with everyone and never seems afraid to show it. Can Kenny help Jake find his internal strength or will he instead fall deeper into the hole of hiding who he is?

I am not typically a graphic novel aficionado, but this one stood out to me when reading the description and I am so thrilled that I got the chance to read it! The diversity in this story is very strong and I loved seeing the theme throughout that speaks to being as true to yourself as you can. Its not easy to be your real self, even with those that you love. In the way this story is told, that point is made clear and in a way that intrigues the reader. Even if you're not a comic book or graphic novel fan, the central theme is enough to entice your casual reader.

Jake is a high school kid who knows he's living a lie with those closest to him and Kenny teaches him how to stop hiding behind the personal walls. These two make such an adorable couple, even if their story feels very rushed. I could have easily seen this story last for many more pages and be even more undeniable. That being said, I still loved the pages and the story as it is written.

A novel about a closeted student who learns how to let his true self be seen.

My rating: 5 out of 5

*3,5 stars
This comic is a super cute, fast read with tons of diversity. I especially loved Kenny's character, he was so endearing and i adored his character design. I love that DC comics is working to feature lgbt+ heroes and authors now, and I really hope they continue even after pride month.
I did have some issues with the pacing. At times it felt very rushed, and the ending felt very abrupt and anti climatic. It was almost set up like theres meant to be a sequel, but as far as I know there isnt one planned, so instead it left readers with alot of questions. *I recieved a free copy to review from DC Comics
☄☄☄
Gay representation +poc (black, hispanic,asian)
Own Voices
CW: homophobia, assualt

Overall Enjoyment: 3/5
Characterization: 3/5
World building: 2/5
Diversity: 5/5

This is a DC comic with the focus on Jake, and his coming of age story. This is the first book in the series. I requested this book, because the concept was interesting and this story has a host of diverse characters. Since its a comic rather than a novel like I'm use to it's a little bit harder for me to give what I feel like is my best review, but I'll do my best.

Characterization. I gave it a three because we get a lot of Jake's back story which is pretty great, but I feel like we didn't delve much into his character and who he is. I think that is mainly because this is the first in the series and as we will learn more about him as the series continues, but I still hoped for a little bit more. I'm a little irritated with Maria, Jake's best friend. I don't like how she's so focused on her feelings, but I think that's supposed to be the self-centered adolescent thing. Still not a fan of those scenes in many coming out stories.

World building. It's set in the DC universe which is very similar to our current world. There wasn't much difference at all, but I suppose that's the point so in this case the lack of world building isn't too big of a deal.

Diversity. It's a fully diverse cast and we have intersectionality!!!! Kevin is a Chinese american gay man. Jake's a black gay man and Maia is Hispanic. Kevin's dad is in a wheelchair. It was great.

Overall, I'm struggling with how short this first comic was. It's always been my problem with comics because I always want more. This comic does have amazing potential though to be full of love and amazing. I will definitely be keeping my eye on it and if you are a comic fan I recommend give it a look!

I gave this a four out of five stars. I really enjoyed the art style of You Brought Me The Ocean. I really enjoyed the story, I liked the friendship between Jake and Maria. I also like the relationship between Jake and Kenny. I like the story of Jake accepting his sexuality. I liked the mention of superman and Aquaman. There wasn't a lot of action in the plot but I still loved this.

With the success of Jason Mamoa’s “Aquaman” in 2018, the “aqua” characters from DC Comics were given a bit of credibility to their name. It’s no surprise that Aqualad would eventually get a retelling of his story, and in an updated, modern take on his story nonetheless. Alex Sanchez and Julie Maroh’s newest graphic novel, “You Brought Me the Ocean” delivers on the promise of a new retelling, but misses a few marks that would make it a completely new and exciting story.

“You Brought Me the Ocean” centers around Jake Hyde, a teenager who lives in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico with his mother. There, he has a best friend, Maria, who wants them to stay in the desert and build a life there, but Jake wants to go to the ocean. He’s always been drawn to water and he doesn’t know why. He also doesn’t know why he has blue marks on his arms that glow when he comes in contact with water. Or anything about his future.

This graphic novel has one major issue in it that I couldn’t get past, and it was that the story felt overdone and too recognizable. It’s a classic hero origin story with not much else to separate it from other origin stories and has very little originality to it besides the LGBT+ storyline which is not primarily discussed or shown in superhero stories.

Beyond that though, this graphic novel is a nice and easy read. As somebody who loves graphic novels and comics, I liked this one a lot in that it balances story with illustrations very nicely. Julie Maroh’s illustrations are gorgeous and will have the reader going back to look at just the drawings themselves.

Whatsmore, the ending leaves it very open for more to be added to Hyde’s story and for more exploration of an LGBT+ Aqualad. While it doesn’t appear that he will be hitting the big screen anytime soon, despite the Aquaman looking very much like Jason Mamoa, it’s a nice addition to the universe that fans can read and get a little more into the universe.

In addition, the LGBT+ storyline and message is balanced nicely with Hyde discovering his powers and dealing with his family/friend drama. It doesn’t feel forced in any way and actually feels very natural. It’s a strong message that LGBT+ youth will be able to resonate with and with its release in pride month, it’s sure to make a nice addition to bookshelves everywhere.

The Verdict
“You Brought Me the Ocean” is a beautiful story, in both its illustrations and story, but lacks a sense of uniqueness that would make it otherwise amazing. Maroh has done it again with her colorful images and has created a gorgeous graphic novel that fans of the DC Universe will find themselves turning to to get a look at. It’s a very well done modern adaptation and will make readers want to return to the DC Universe as soon as possible.

Jake’s story was sweet and heart wrenching. From his super close bestie to his budding relationship and evolving sense of self, it’s everything you want in a YA romance, And then you throw in super powers and a connection to the DC universe from the r ent films and it becomes a super hero comic with a unique and powerful soul. The art is a gentle hand for the story as well, with a wavy edge that calls up the ocean.

Thank you to Netgalley and DC Comics for sending me an advanced copy of You Brought Me the Ocean!

Jake Hyde has been avoiding swimming for years, ever since his father drowned. Fortunately, water isn’t all that hard to stay away from in the New Mexico desert, where Jake lives with his mother. In spite of his past traumas, though, Jake still longs for the ocean. He hopes that college can be his path to the sea, but he’s still not sure how to approach the topic of moving with his best friend, who is determined to stay in the home she loves. Meanwhile, Jake is developing feelings for the school rebel, Kenny Liu, who also happens to be the swim team captain. In the midst of all of the troubles typical of being a teenager, Jake is also realizing that he may not be a normal kid, given the strange blue marks on his skin that glow when he touches water. Secrets seem to be running rampant, and soon Jake will have to find answers about his identity and who he really wants to be.

You can get your copy of You Brought Me the Ocean on June 9th from DC Comics!

I was lucky enough to get to attend a virtual Yallwest panel featuring the author of You Brought Me the Ocean, Alex Sanchez, and I knew immediately that I was going to need to read this book! I loved the way he combined elements of typical teenage worries with the more uncommon issue of having secret superpowers! I also enjoyed the aquatic-vibes I got from Julie Maroh’s artistic style. As a die-hard fan of Young Justice and the Teen Titans, I loved getting a more relatable take on Aqualad that connected with me as a queer teenager.

My Recommendation-
You Brought Me the Ocean would be a perfect book to read for pride month this year! Regardless of if you love the story of Aqualad, or if you’ve never so much as heard of the character, this story is easy to get into! If you’ve been wishing for more queer superheroes, this book is the right choice for you!

You Brought Me the Ocean was a touching graphic novel depicting the coming of age tale of Jake, a young man who feels like he doesn't belong. He has his Ma, an over protective woman who is constantly hovering over him (to keep him safe) and his best friend, Maria, but he longs for the ocean... Living in the desert he feels incomplete.

When he builds up the courage to talk to Kenny, an openly gay classmate who has always seemed to be so comfortable with himself, he begins to learn more about himself than he ever expected. Like finding out what the strange "birthmarks" are the cover his skin and react to water.

This was a great graphic novel about what happens when you let yourself be who you truly are and stop hiding from the past. Alex Sanchez is a fantastic own voices author and has done such a great job with this piece. Adding the incredible artistic talents of Julie Maroh and you have You Brought Me the Ocean, a gorgeous dive into a world where you can become your own hero.

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Comics for providing me an advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a very sweet story. Each of the characters were developed with realistic thoughts and emotions and I appreciated that the protagonists and their parents were written like individuals and not plot elements. I enjoyed the romance and how it expressed that romantic feelings and relationships can be complicated and confusing, and effort is required to further understand your partner. I felt the teenage characters were written with a good balance that some other storytellers fail to capture. Their emotions could be extreme, but they never read as melodramatic. They process hurt and betrayal with emotional intelligence and empathy that often is simplified in young adult stories to move the narrative along.

I was also glad that none of the central characters or their parents were portrayed as outright villains, even when they're unfair towards each other. While the parents make mistakes and hide important knowledge from their children, they're given reasonable motivations and eventually increase their efforts to respect how their children need to be supported. The only one-dimensional characters were the homophobic bullies, as it wouldn't have been appropriate to characterize them otherwise.

It seems like the largest criticism of this book given by other reviewers was that including homophobic bullies who receive little to no punishment from their school administration for being violently bigoted "dated" the story. Unfortunately, in my own experience and from hearing about my sisters', I don't feel this is an inaccurate depiction. At our high school, bigoted students would spout slurs and dehumanizing statements regularly, and within teachers' realm of hearing. Yet they were never met with disciplinary actions or even criticism. It's insensitive to decide that bigoted aggression in a public setting is something young people aren't threatened with anymore, just because you have not encountered it recently or ever.

Overall, I felt this story was definitely created with care. Each of the graphic novels in this new imprint seem to suffer from the briefness demanded of them, but I thought this was one of the better ones. Self-discovery is the central theme of this narrative, and explored from multiple angles. I do hope this book receives a sequel since it only scratches the surface of Jake's origin as a hero.

I was super excited about this book, and I'm constantly looking for new graphic novels to read, but this just wasn't for me. The book felt super dated since I can't remember a time where schools didn't have a zero tolerance for bullying, and most of the things felt stiff and unrealistic. The dialogue was awkward to read, and the plot was quite boring. I felt no investment in the story, as it completely underwhelmed me, and the book itself read really young. You Brought Me The Ocean had so much potential, but sadly the execution didn't live up to my standards.

I loved this book! There was an amazing diversity among the cast of characters that I frankly wasn't expecting from a DC book. The friendships were also heartwarming. The one problem I had was that the story tried a little too hard to inject itself into the DC-universe when it would have been a strong story on its own without any of the superhero connections. Overall, Jake's struggles with his friends and families felt very relatable, and it was a quick and enjoyable read. Definitely pick this up if you have time to spare!