DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN #3

Aquamancer

April 2003

Written by Rick Veitch

Pencils by Yvel Guichet

Inks by Mark Propst

Cover by Alex Maleev

Synopsis

Rodunn bears bad news to Mera, Queen of Atlantis:  Orin still lives.  Hagen, the Queen’s advisor is disturbed by the news, but offers Rodunn another chance.  Rodunn is outfitted with a powerful shock lance, armor that will allow him to survive on land and a magic lamprey as a steed.  At the lighthouse, Aquaman learns that he can take a salt-water shower.  He also tries to cut his own hair, but mangles the job so Sweeny takes him to town to do a proper job.  On the way back, the come across a man laying on the road, bleeding.  Aquaman tells Sweeny to take him to the hospital while he searches the area.  It does not take long for Rodunn to attack.  The lamprey poisonous bite leaves Aquaman battered and bruised, but he uses the magical hand to find a well that replenishes his strength, thanks to the Lady of the Lake.  Revitalized, Aquaman returns to find Rodunn, who is freaked out by Aquaman’s sudden good health.  As he runs, the lamprey bites him and leaves him for dead.  With his hand, Aquaman heals Rodunn’s health as well as the dark heart that hated Aquaman.  Rodunn is amazed.  Aquaman asks Rodunn to return to Atlantis and tell the people what Rodunn has seen.  After Rodunn leaves, Sweeny returns and realizes that Arthur Curry really is…Aquaman!

Review

This was another good issue.  I am beginning to like the presence of the Lady of the Lake and I am beginning to see what kind of effect she will have, not only on Aquaman, but also Atlantis.  My guess is that it will be her healing power (through Aquaman) that will eradicate the dark sorcery from Atlantis and restore it to its glory.  It looks as if the time during the obsidian age, and the burgeoning use of magic, somehow ensnared the people of Atlantis into moving over to the dark side.  This seems especially true of Mera.  After reading the previous issue, I had wondered about Mera and when she would show up.  Well, question answered.  I am not surprised that much of the Queen’s orders were carried out by Hagen, but I am disappointed.  I am guessing it would be too much to have Mera truly evil; it is easier to simply have her be manipulated.

I’m not entirely certain I buy the sudden change of heart of Rodunn, either from former friend to enemy or from enemy back to former friend.  Both explanations seemed forced to me.  I think it made much more sense to have Rodunn want to kill Aquaman for his crimes against Atlantis rather than having a “black heart” that easily falls into hate.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, I am a little concerned Rodunn will turn into a messenger for a prophet, you know, one of those true believers who make you want to punch him because they sound so sincere.  But anyway, the radical change from one end of the spectrum to another, again, is not surprising, but a little disappointing.  I suppose I am just annoyed that the final resolution to this storyline is that no one was acting like themselves because the sorcerers (probably led by Hagen) were making them act out of character. -- MRB