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Friday, June 22, 2007

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #53 - August 2007

sgThis week's Comic Friday brings us a new issue of Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis, decked out with a beautiful cover by Paul Rivoche. It's a poster-ish cover, but also one that tells a story, sort of referencing some of the themes of the issue. Very cool.

This issue opens with Manta and his team attacking Aquaman II(or is it III? oh, I don't even know anymore), Lorena, and Mal. Our heroes fight valiantly, but are overcome by Manta's high-tech firepower.

They wake up with Manta attempting to take samples of their blood, and when he makes a crack about the "real" Aquaman sending an understudy in his place, Arthur lets it slip that the original Aquaman that Manta knew is dead.

In a nice bit of murderous characterization, Manta becomes enraged that he is not the one who perfomed the act. He then decides to truss up Arthur and Mal and execute them in the city square(having recently taken over Sub Diego), and its here we finally get a moment for the new Aquaman to take the lead--he uses his powers in a totally credible, yet inventive, way to help get them out of their predicament.

I've said before that while I've been enjoying the book more since Tad Willams took over, I've felt that this new Aquaman's presence has been a bit indistinct from all the other characters populating the book. And while its only for a moment, this new Aquaman does get to do something cool and be, you know, heroic. Hey, Tad--more of this!

Aquaman's buddy King Shark--whose been kept out of Sub Diego due to some security measures by Manta during the story--eventually finds his way in and does what he promises Topo he'd do; namely bite Black Manta's head off. Well, almost--he does get in a satisfyingly horrible chomp in. Though Manta does escape, he's severely injured and (probably) disfigured. Now he's got a reason to be mad at this new Aquaman, too.

Meanwhile, back in Atlantis, Mera discovers that her late husband's dead body has turned entirely into water. Hmm...

Like last issue, this one was inked as well as pencilled by Shawn McManus, and he does a fine job. He has a loose, almost rough inking style that at times almost looks Kubert-esque, and it gives the whole book a looser feel that I think helps fit the story. And I think the story is picking up speed, as well--I'm more into where this is going than I have been since this whole Sword of Atlantis thing started.

Rumors abound that ASOA is going to be cancelled soon. I hope not, for the obvious reasons, but also because I think the book is getting better and better and I'd like to see it given the chance to find an audience.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I went to buy comics on Wednesday and TOTALLY overlooked this issue. That's how eye-catching this logo and cover was for me. Oops. Now I'll have to go back and pick it up this weekend. (The fight between Manta and Aquaman in the last issue of JUSTICE was awesome, though.)

Anonymous said...

A few questions on this series, as I haven't read any of it yet:

1. Is this new Aquaman REALLY the Golden Age Aquaman (previously of the old Earth 2) somehow time/reality displaced?

2. If not, then how the heck is he Arthur Curry, when the old Aquaman/Arthur/Orm was Arthur Curry?

3. How did classic Aquaman become this "Dweller in the Deep" or whatever?

Inquiring mind wants to know, but not enough to buy it...yet.

Chris

rob! said...

1. Is this new Aquaman REALLY the Golden Age Aquaman (previously of the old Earth 2) somehow time/reality displaced?

No, this not the E2 Aquaman(if he even "exists" anymore), this is an all new AC.

2. If not, then how the heck is he Arthur Curry, when the old Aquaman/Arthur/Orm was Arthur Curry?

Not fully explained, but its been mentioned numerous times that he has the same name.

3. How did classic Aquaman become this "Dweller in the Deep" or whatever?

See #2. I think--think--more has been explained in 52 or Countdown or whatever, but ive had my fill of multi-part crossovers so i havent bothered to find out.

In any case, i think its a certainty that the original Aquaman will be back at some point, I only hope DC gives Williams enough issues to accomplish that. I'd love to see this new AC be given something to do.

I'd even more love old Aquaman to return and get teamed with Lorena, aka Aquagirl. She's way cool and ive had my fill of whiny Garth.

Anonymous said...

From DC's solicitation for ASOA #56:

AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #56

Written by Tad Williams, art by Shawn McManus, cover by Butch Guice.

Further revelations abound concerning the murky past of the new Aquaman as he steps forward to embrace his future. He'd better get used to people calling him "Aquaman," because it seems he'll be around for a long time in the DCU! Find out why in this issue!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 19.

Dire words for fans of the "real" Arthur Curry.
I hope we don't have to wait as long as Hal Jordan fans did to get our hero back.