"Ame-Comi Girls Chapter 24" by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Steven Cummings
DC's line of digital-first series have featured a number of Aqua-centric guest appearances, and this one we're way behind on: the all-Mera issue of Ame-Comi Girls!
In the hip part of town known as Little Atlantis (a partially submerged section of Seattle), residents are abuzz over an appearance by the Queen of Atlantis, Mera!
DC's line of digital-first series have featured a number of Aqua-centric guest appearances, and this one we're way behind on: the all-Mera issue of Ame-Comi Girls!
In the hip part of town known as Little Atlantis (a partially submerged section of Seattle), residents are abuzz over an appearance by the Queen of Atlantis, Mera!
The press interview focuses on resources--both natural and not--and Mera reminds her interlocutor that the Surface World has nothing Atlantis needs, since it has long ago shifted to more sustainable sources of fuel. The conversation is interrupted by Mera's sister Nautica, who also goes by the name...Black Manta!
...to be continued?
Sadly, this was the last installment of Ame-Comi Girls, so Mera showed up just in time to not be seen again in the book! At least she got a nice-sized guest appearance; completely crowding the regulars out of their own title.
Not really familiar with this version of the DCU at all, I was intrigued that there was no mention of Aquaman at any point. In the end I think that's refreshing; it gives Mera (if the series ever returns) the chance to truly be her own character, with her own villains, friends, and motivations; none of it beholden to her famous husband. I liked how writers Palmiotti and Gray weaved in elements from the Aquaman universe (Black Manta, the Trench) and spun them into something new.
I enjoyed the art quite a bit as well; Mera's costume is major cheesecake to be sure, but somehow here it doesn't seem all the prurient or sleazy (to me, at least). Let's hope this is not the last we see of the Ame-Comi Girls!
Turns out there's a history of bad, er, blood between the sisters: Mera believes Nautica killed their parents, though she saved her from execution for the crime. Nautica rips off her mask, showing Mera what "Trench inmates" do to royalty, and why she is so determined to drown this bastardized version of her home.
Mera gets close enough to use her hard water powers to take control of all the water in Nautica's brain and force her into sleep. Moments later, the reporter returns, demanding to know from Mera if more angry Atlanteans are coming, just like Nautica promised. It's on tape!
Many people are watching this, including the Earth's mightiest heroes:
Mera gets close enough to use her hard water powers to take control of all the water in Nautica's brain and force her into sleep. Moments later, the reporter returns, demanding to know from Mera if more angry Atlanteans are coming, just like Nautica promised. It's on tape!
Many people are watching this, including the Earth's mightiest heroes:
Sadly, this was the last installment of Ame-Comi Girls, so Mera showed up just in time to not be seen again in the book! At least she got a nice-sized guest appearance; completely crowding the regulars out of their own title.
Not really familiar with this version of the DCU at all, I was intrigued that there was no mention of Aquaman at any point. In the end I think that's refreshing; it gives Mera (if the series ever returns) the chance to truly be her own character, with her own villains, friends, and motivations; none of it beholden to her famous husband. I liked how writers Palmiotti and Gray weaved in elements from the Aquaman universe (Black Manta, the Trench) and spun them into something new.
I enjoyed the art quite a bit as well; Mera's costume is major cheesecake to be sure, but somehow here it doesn't seem all the prurient or sleazy (to me, at least). Let's hope this is not the last we see of the Ame-Comi Girls!
2 comments:
Definitely shows that Mera is more than just the female version of Aquaman!
I just don't get it.
And maybe that's because I understand the whole anime thing that all these US-based versions are based on, I don't know. I just can't help thinking that this stuff really did start out as prurient (to use your word, Rob). I guess I can't divorce this from the sexist and misogynist society it comes from.
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