Well, I liked this issue. However, it did seem a bit elseworldish. I like the Arthur Curry we're introduced to here, but do I want him to permanently take the place of the 'real' Aquaman? Don't know yet.
My favorite bits were the prophecies (memories?) of the Dweller of the Depths. Part of me wants to see the undersea JLA-looking characters actually fleshed out-- part of me hopes they're just a twisted memory of the narrator.
There's a possibility here for new versions of Garth, Koryak and Mera... I have even more mixed feelings about these. Hopefully, it won't be too drawn out. But this is Kurt Busiek, so payoff might come later rather than sooner.
From: Knoxville, TN | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
My reading of this issue was that he is the real Aquaman. His story, while known to squid beard, has yet to be played out. Jeepers, I thik they just rebooted Aquaman. I'm looking forward to this series. I dropped the last one about a year ago because the stories got boring, despite a great premise - an underwater San Diego. Also the art in the previous series was horrible. The new artist is pretty good.
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I loved this one too. The art was nicely stylized and together with the lettering made this one really distinct from any other comic.
But it's so strange, I've got so many questions. King Shark has scars from a fight with the previous Aquaman? Why does this kid have the golden age origin?
I've a feeling it's going to be a year before we have full answers to most of the substantial questions.
From: Canada | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Outdoor Miner: Interesting.
I was convinced that the Dweller was actually Aquaman, and he remembers the story because he lived it.
Couldn't be that simple could it? I know in real life the least complex solution is the one that works but this is fiction.
From: Canada | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I agree with OM. I think Squidbeard is the real Aquaman, and his prophecies are really just messed up memories. You know they can't be prophecies because King Shark fought with Aquaman, and this is One Year Later. My biggest clue for Squidbeard being the real Aquaman, though, is the last panel when you see his magic water hand.
The art, though -- ick, ick, ick. Everyone looks like a zombie. I was quite excited when I saw Butch Guice was drawing it. I enjoyed his work at Crossgen. So when I picked this up, I thought, "Blech, I guess he didn't do the cover." Then I looked inside and thought, "OK, what did they do to Butch Guice?" It's almost as bad as the new "Warlord" art.
-------------------- Geek Watch
From: Standing beside you in Ferndale, MI | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Alright, you've sold me. I'll likely pick up a copy at the store tomorrow. Busiek had me intersted, and it sounds like he's delivered. And I've got more faith in him than Jones' WARLORD.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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I finally got a copy, and manoman was this good! Busiek has set up a nice little adventure here. I don't think this is a reboot, or the original Aquaman. Squidbeard's last few panels suggested he's Orin and merely projected his past on the new kid.
And next issue, we find out about Atlantis! Talk about pay offs- no dragging things out here.
I like the art a lot. It has that feel of old pulp adventure comics, not the animated look of the superhero books.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Byrned this in the shop. Less bad than most DCs of late, but not enough to get me to but it.
quote:Originally posted by Semi Transparent Fellow: My reading of this issue was that he is the real Aquaman. His story, while known to squid beard, has yet to be played out. Jeepers, I thik they just rebooted Aquaman.
1) Note the last panel of the "prophecy". It ends with narration that Aquaman was "transform[ed] into one akin to a great and terrible enemy of your people - and become the vessel of power strange, ancient and terrible." And look at the art to go with the narration 2) Last panel narration, where he reflects that the events must be true - he sees them as clearly as if he had lived them himself 3) The magic water hand in the last panel, which he tried to heal King Shark with earlier. Plus, he's got Aquaman's trident. 4) KS confirms that Aquaman was around for years until he disappeared, including the flashback to him getting stabbed.
-------------------- My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
posted
I've gotten so fed up with AQUAMAN on several different occasions... so it's funny that this was the ONLY "new" thing DC is doing right now that i decided to order in advance. I guess it was the creative team that did it. Kurt Busiek really impressed me on IRON MAN and THE AVENGERS (at least at first), and I've been a fan of Butch Guice since MICRONAUTS. (Loved his DR. STRANGE, S.H.I.E.L.D., SUPERMAN and BIRDS OF PREY as well.)
This is interesting... I'm reminded a bit of when James Robinson started his version of STARMAN. You had a brand-new version of an old hero, but there was still the legacy of all that happened before hanging around. I'm interested enough to want to see where this goes now...
The funny thing is, the new costume-- just enough of the original to be instantly recognizable, but different enough to stand on its own-- looks like something out of Howard Chaykin's TALES OF ATLANTIS-- from over 30 YEARS ago!!! (Back when he used to draw like Neal Adams... heh heh) I was just thinking it's a shame they never did more than 5 episodes of that back-up series (and Chaykin only plotted the first 3 before jumping ship!). If this doesn't work out, maybe Busiek & Guice should do a sequel to TOA?
Registered: Aug 2003
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I think this was a great introduction issue and and I'm very interested.
Busiek knows his craft--the writing was spot-on and reminds me of Busiek at his best (I think his health over the last years have prevented that from occassion). Guice's artwork is very loved by this lad.
I also took the hints to mean that maybe Dweller is the *real* Aquaman, but its too early yet to tell. I'm interested though.
I really like the inclusion of King Shark. No one can argue that he's very visually appealing.
On to Mera! I like that no time is being wasted and I want to read more. Prof, your comparison to Robinson's Starman is very appropriate. I feel like continuity and history will be honored, while we get new stories, and mysteries that stand on their own although may be linked to the past.
I'm very pleased Busiek remembers *all* of Aquaman's origin, including Atlan and other details that lesser writers have left out.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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I was hoping for a brand new guy all together. Still an excellent read and I hope it pans out. But I'm not interested.
Rather have Garth or a brand new character as Aquaman. (Actually Tempest is a cooler codename than Aquaman)
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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