The charm of this comic is how it hits the sweet spot of Bronze Age fun with modern sensibilities. But that 'elsewhen' aspect lets Waid sort of put a classic stamp onto our heroes. We have seen scrappy young Robin, less-moody Batman, and friendly Superman throughout the three years of this book. But we also have seen Waid look at Metamorpho, Red Tornado, Supergirl, and others.
This arc lets Waid and Gutierrez put their stamp on Aquaman, Mera, and the twin cities of Atlantis. Seeing Aquaman as a sort of 'man of two worlds' is interesting given the more recent runs which have been Atlantis-centric with politics and factions. But it is the inclusion of Lori Lemaris and her sullen husband Ronal was really the cherry on the cake.
I thought this opening arc is a nice primer on the old-school Atlantis. At the same time, this is a decent look back to why Aquaman's recent tales have focused more underwater than on terra firma.
Gutierrez continues to grow on this book. There is a sort of recurring artistic panache of repeated words or sound effects in the art. His take on the world of Atlantis and their fashion and looks is nice. But it is his take on a classic villain (seen on the last page) that really grabbed me.
On to this book.
Realizing he'll need some help, Aquaman calls for the World's Finest duo.
The issue starts with Mera sending out a telepathic plea to Aquaman.
The people of Tritonis have gone made, becoming angry zombie-like creatures. These mer-people are attacking the more humanoid people of Poseidonis.
The two cities usually are working together in peace. So this anger plague is something new.
Now you think that both cities would work together to solve this crisis. But both seem to entrench.
Love Mera here. Beautiful.
Immediately, Waid points out how Aquaman is sort of a man living in two worlds. Yes, he is King of Atlantis.
But he is on land here. He grew up on land. He even gives us some background - how he loved TV, baseball, and peanuts.
Is he a land-based hero? Or part of Atlantean royalty?
It is a small scene that gives us some fun facts about Aquaman but sets up an upcoming plot thread.
The heroes head down and round up some of the wild-eyed Triton people.
Ronal organizes the Triton army to attack Poseidonis. And when Superman tries to stop him ('there is always another way'), the Man of Steel is held fast by Atlantean magic. Shades of Arion!!!
The Dynamic Duo don their scuba gear.
The heroes head down and round up some of the wild-eyed Triton people.
And a quick peek with microscopic vision, Superman sees that there is a fungus causing the insanity. Batman will try to analyze even more.
Now you'd think this is a perfect spot for White Kryptonite to kill the fungus. But before a cure is even discussed, someone shows up.
Lori Lemaris, merwoman from Triton and Superman's former girlfriend, shows up.
And who is there with her, a rather testy, sullen Ronal. By the way, he isn't as happy to see the heroes and ends up swimming away.
A jealous Ronal? No big surprise given his history. And I guess if my girlfriend's ex was Superman, I might also feel inadequate and maybe get jealous.
Lori looks a bit daffy but I think her happy greeting of Superman (and his reciprocation) shows that perhaps there are some feelings still there.
I love how Waid mines the DCU. Lori Lemaris and Ronal! I was grinning!
Meanwhile, Aquaman and Mera continue to try and keep the enraged Tritonians away from Poseidonis.
Love seeing Aquaman call upon his finny friends to help.
And love how he is asking for help, not commanding them. That's the way I always thought his powers worked.
But I love Robin's icy response. Does he think Batman commands him to do his stuff?
Unfortunately, there is some political irritation in Poseidonis.
They want Aquaman to be a true leader for their city.
Aquaman defends his time with the Justice League saying world threats include Atlantis.
I love how Waid and Gutierrez throw in a couple of world threats to showcase the claim, including the classic Brave and Bold #28 cover with the first JLA adventure. I don't know if the Darkseid panel alludes to a specific adventure. But love both. It really leans into the else-when, classic nature.
Here is that artistic quirk of Gutierrez.
The people of Poseidonis demand Aquaman become a full-time king, chanting 'Respect the throne!'
It reminds me of all the 'ha ha has' we saw in the Eclipso story.
It is a nice effect, evoking a sort of loud echo!
And things are even worse.
Ronal and the people of Triton think the people of Poseidonis are responsible for the madness disease.
Ronal organizes the Triton army to attack Poseidonis. And when Superman tries to stop him ('there is always another way'), the Man of Steel is held fast by Atlantean magic. Shades of Arion!!!
How great that the angry Ronal gets to take out some of his ire on his presumed rival.
But I think this idea of a Poseidonis war trick seems like a jump. Seems a bit quick.
Meanwhile, Batman and Robin run across the source of the fury-fungus. The Floronic Man.
Love this take on the Floronic Man, a sort of amalgam of plant types. Pretty cool! And a nice return of this classic villain.
This was a great opening issue. Love Lori and Ronal being here! Love the plot of Aquaman being torn a bit between his two lives and perhaps feeling forced to give up his life on land. Fun art too.
I think the jump to war between the cities felt a little fast but that is a quibble.
Overall grade: B+
6 comments:
One of the things I like about Waid is his ability to find original takes on heroes and villains who have been around for decades. I don't think anyone has done the Floronic Man under the sea before. Great to see Lori Lemaris again as well.
Forgot to put in my name before I published.
Top review, Anj! I really liked this story too, I’m OK with the speediness of the declaration of war, those Atlantis folk are known hotheads. And seeing magic used was brilliant, maybe Arion and Garn Daanuth will show up!
Totally agree about Lori, she looks very weird, like Kitty Pryde when she was experimenting with new looks. Lori also looks like she’s experimenting with drugs
Has there ever been a Lori story in which Ronal hasn’t felt like she settled for him? For goodness’ sake, man, you’re a doctor, a hero!
The Atlanteans have a point - yes, he does good with the JLA, but he’s really not interested in Atlantis, here hanging out with someone else’s kid sidekick to chomp on surface snacks. There’s more on this in the new Aquaman #1 (review at the usual place if required!)
The art by Adrián Gutiérrez has stunning image after stunning image, but I did struggle at times to work out what was going on, such as pages 7-8 (not counting the credits spread). Tamara Bonvillain deserves evermore credit for one of the most gorgeous colouring jobs I’ve seen.
The sodden Floronic Man! I’m there for it!
The reaction of Dick here To Bruce's comment about asking not ordering reminds me of Kara's reaction to Clark about what to do with He Who Would Be Gog when he shows up as a kid. :P
This and the Eclipso arc both left me cold. Part of it is the art and part that we're getting into the less interesting parts of the DCU. Arthurs shouldn't be a full time adventurer and monarch. Of course you're going to be a crap king if you try. The populace are idiots for letting him try. A constitutional monarch maybe. And have Quaman, Black Panther, Geo Force, and Namor never heard of committees?
The Floronic Man? Seriously? And underwater, no less. In salt water, which is notoriously fatal for most plant life. Yeah, sure, they'll wave it away as him having grown a body out of kelp or something, but honestly this is nearly as stupid as his marijuana body or his stretch as the "hero" Floro.
Also, fungus are not plants in any way shape or form, and in DC they'd be part of the Gray, not the Green (which has rejected Woodrue in the past anyway). The fungal rage disease is a real ass-pull here.
Whatever daft scheme he's up to, I have to assume he came up with it while smoking himself - probably while he and Snowflame were sharing their stashes.
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