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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Showcase Presents Aquaman Vols. 1 & 2

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Somehow I never got around to talking about the first Showcase Presents: Aquaman volume when it came out, so now that Volume Two is here I thought we'd do a round-up. Giddyap!

I'm so glad Aquaman is getting represented in DC's successful Showcase series. Since the backlist is getting deeper with these books, I assume they're selling well, which of course is great. I know many parents buy these(and Marvel's Essentials) books for their kids, since obviously you're getting the absolute best bang for your buck. Over five-hundred pages for seventeen bucks? Not bad, especially when so much of the material is classic stuff. Kids I think don't have as much of a problem with the black and white, especially if its the first time they're encountering this material.

The first volume features Aquaman's tales from Adventure Comics, Detective Comics(that was a stretch, putting him in Detective Comics), World's Finest, Showcase, and the first few issues of Aquaman. Art is by Ramona Fradon and Nick Cardy, proving again that Aquaman may have been a second-tier hero, but he had top-tier artists.

Volume 2 features the classic "Aquaman Weds Mera" cover by Cardy from Aquaman #18, beautifully re-colored by Drew Moore--I loved how the colors are just a tad washed out, perfectly capturing the underwater feel. These tales are from further issues of Aquaman, World's Finest(wow, Aquaman was popular enough back then to have two--three, if you count Justice League of America--regular series!), plus his team-up with Hawkman in The Brave and the Bold #51.

I know I just mentioned this a few days ago, but it bears repeating--looking back over these issues all in a row like this, I had forgotten how much of a stone cold babe Mera was when rendered by Nick Cardy. Curvy and graceful, Mera looked at times like an underwater Ava Gardner. No wonder Arthur missed so many JLA meetings!

Anyway, these are fine volumes, well put together(though one request--any chance DC could reinstate the half-page ads that used to run in the original books?). I hope they continue to sell, so we get the chance to see Showcase Presents: Aquaman volumes three, four, five...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately (?), I already have all these issues, so I won't be buying this collection.

Plaidstallions said...

I buy the Justice Leagues ones as he's obsessed with getting as many heroes as possible. Thanks to you Rob, I often slip in my narration and call Snapper a "Local jerk"

rob! said...

if i can have a hand i just one member of the next generation knowing that Snapper Carr was useless character, then i'll have done my job.

Rick L. Phillips said...

Rob you got me interested in getting the first Volume and I plan to get volume 2 but I may wait awhile. I have just finished reading the Essential Super-villain Team-up and with Sub-Mariner battling to save Atlantis in that book Vol. 2 may get me water logged.

Anonymous said...

Cardy drew some stunning women. The Huntress from O.G.R.E., Fire-Haired Karla, Liat, and, of course, Mera and her twin sister Hila were all absolutely beautiful.

But Tula ... ah, Tula .... The closest I've ever come a crush on a fictional character.

Scurvy said...

oooh! I can't wait to pick up vol. 2!

Siskoid said...

I'm a bit behind on my Showcase purchases, but Aquaman 2 may just get me walking to the store (and then they won't have it, and I'll swear off that particular outlet again for a while, grrr).

But I love me the first volume, and am about 2/3 through. First half in practically one sitting though. Made me a fan of Fradon's artwork certainly.

Anonymous said...

Rob, LOVE your Aquaman Shrine site!
I remember reading the Skeates/Aparo Aquaman`s in the early 1980s and being knocked out by them (and I was obsessed with FM`s Daredevil at the time): I have a question - Showcase Presents Aquaman vol.3 is out now but what volume will reprint those Skeates/Aparo gems??? Please put me out of my misery! Ta!!