Customer Reviews

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis, Vol. 1: Once and Future

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some fans of Aquaman had no interest in this story from the outset due to its introduction of a new Aquaman. Replacement or legacy characters are fine, just as long as it happens to the other guy's favorites. Having never been a huge fan before, more because of how he was written than any inherent dislike of him, I was open to this new approach. The first thing that caught my eye was Butch Guice's mood provoking artwork. His style may not fit well with others but was the ideal match for Aquaman's underwater milieu. Upon reading it, I was immediately caught up in Kurt Busiek's intriguing tale, replete with twists and turns at every juncture. He weaves a world of mystery, mayhem, and mistrust throughout and imaginatively plants numerous seeds for future storylines, including a fantastic closing cliffhanger. Unfortunately he wasn't able to resolve these loose ends as he was taken off the title shortly thereafter in order to start work on an unknown project, which was recently announced as the new weekly series Trinity. Kudos to Kurt and Butch, despite their regrettably short tenure on the book, for converting a non-fan and illustrating the great potential of this legendary underwater figure. With so many superheroes sharing similar backgrounds, powers, and environments, characters like Aquaman with their distinct setting and potential for unusual and distinguished stories are needed now more than ever.

Aquaman has always been one of my favorite characters. He's never really had a good direction in his books though. Super Friends pretty much ruined any chance of him having mainstream success.

Anyway, Like I said this is a fresh start for Aquaman. A Brand new Aquaman takes over the mantle and is guided by the mysterious Dweller of the Depths. The book was a little slow but, that was mostly to get the characters properely introduced. It's a good read for anyone who likes the character.

I realize he's pretty much viewed as the weakest character in the Justice League pantheon, but I always thought Aquaman was a cool superhero. Unfortunately, no creative team in recent memory has ever really been able to do the character justice. They chopped off his hand and replaced it with a hook to make Aquaman edgier. They gave him a hand made of water to make him mystical. Nothing worked, and I finally gave up following the Aquaman comics until Kurt Busiek (Astro City) took a turn with the character. I figured if anyone could restore this classic character, it would be Busiek.

Unfortunately Busiek's idea was to replace Aquaman entirely, handing the mantle to a younger guy who looks just like Aquaman, has the same name and abilities, but sounds like a teenager. He spends the whole time running (well, swimming) around with a giant shark guy, visiting Aquaman's old friends and fighting his old foes. Why? Because some tentacle-faced mystic (with a deep dark secret, natch) told him to. I love Busiek's work, but this was such a disappointing story. We didn't need a new Aquaman, we needed you to fix the old one and remind people why he's a worthwhile character.

The artwork for this collection was provided by Jackson "Butch" Guice. I've been a fan of his since his classic 80's Iron Man run with Bob Layton, and he's in good form here. Some of the pages are a bit inconsistent, and his non-human characters are pretty generic, but for the most part Guice depicts the undersea world very well. The artwork is what pushes the rating of this book to 3-stars.

I really wanted to like this, but came away frustrated and disappointed. Busiek is capable of so much better, and could made this Aquaman's defining series. Instead it joins Aquaman: Time and Tide and Aquaman: The Waterbearer as misfires in the Aquaman saga.

This is a Great graphic novel period! Aquaman is a highly underrated comic book hero which is sad because he is loved by all DC comic fans worldwide. This novel is well-written and has awesome artwork as well. AQUAMAN: Sword of Atlantis DELIVERS the Goods. Check this book out!!!

It should be noted that I have never collected an Aquaman comic book. I have read the original Justice League of America and the late 80s Justice League in which Aquaman was the leader of a revamped group of new heroes.

It doesn't seem like anyone knows what to do with Aquaman, and Sword of Atlantis Vol. 1 is no different. Although the story nobly attempts to create suspense with the Dweller of the Deep character, who alludes to the "destiny" of the new Aquaman-Savior of the Sea, something is missing. Even the attempts to blend technology and mysticism with Vulko and the Dweller of the Deep, noble efforts I believe, are lacking something. And the new Aquaman character--stranger in a strange land cliche--definitely lacks in believability. Also, is the Shark King the best that comic writers can do to come up with a cool once-a-villian-now-an-uncertain-but-seemingly-loyal-ally?

Like I said earlier, I'm not entirely versed in the Aquaman mythos that has developed over the years. However, for some reason, I just keep having hope that someone will get really creative with this character without making him ridiculous, like the whole thing with the harpoon hand, which is actually not a part of Sword of Atlantis, thank God. Maybe DC needs to just totally revamp Aquaman. You know, forget about Aqualad and Mera and King Shark and Vulko and Atlantis; in other words, forget about the pre-established history of Aquaman and create something original because the current mythology of the story is definitely lacking.

This review is mostly negative, but it is out of frustration for a character who has incredible potential and yet has been subjected to poor supporting characters and plot lines. Nonetheless, Sword of Atlantis Vol. 1 does have some bright spots. First, it is an attempt at a new beginning. Second, the art work, though not of the style I prefer, does create the illusion of being underwater in great depths. Very clever. Also, the Ocean Master, with whom I am largely unfamilar, seems to be an intersting villian, along the lines of Black Manta. Finally, the idea of liberating persected and enslaved people, along with the rebuilding of the fragmented Atlantean empire is a noble storyline fitting of a hero like Aquaman, even though this new Aquaman is a bit unbelievable as a "destined natural" leader. His only exposure to people--not to mention the strange denizens of the ocean depths--was in a big fish tank in a laboratory on land; this would make his social skills a bit like that of a home-schooled child. Plus, if you grew up in a fish tank alone, like this new Aquaman, then you probably would get defeated in battle by more experienced warriors your first time out, regardless of augmented strength, which this Aquaman has.

Basically, Sword of Atlantis Vol. 1 is an attempt to make Aquaman live up to his potential, but the effort is not successful. Hopefully, some writer will come along and give Aquaman the respect, worthy adversaries, and plotlines he deseves. Perhaps, Sword of Atlantis Vol. 2 will do just this. This is doubtful, but I continue to hope.