DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN #9

Once There Was A River, Now There Is Stone

October 2003

Written by Rick Veitch

Pencils by Yvel Guichet

Inks by Mark Propst

Cover by Ethan Van Sciver

Synopsis

In New Atlantis, Hagen learns that Tubold and Skuld have died.  Even though they have died, their conjugal magic has still created a creature that could change the balance of power on the planet forever.  A few leagues away, Aquaman and tempest are in the reformed Black Manta’s ship.  Aquaman enters a trance to visit the Lady Of The Lake, who still has faith in him to defeat the Thirst.  When he comes out of the trance, Tempest tells him that there is some dark force in the ocean.  Aquaman tells tempest to investigate the menace while he goes to find the Thirst.  In the Mizen Head, Sweeney admits she likes Aquaman but feels she can’t compete with Wonder Woman, who just so happens to stop by for a visit.  In the Great Victoria Desert in Australia, Aquaman and Black Manta find the Thirst at the site of the next River Goddess.  Using the Manta’s ship they attack.  The Thirst drops water from his cup in the desert, creating a large water creature called the Rainbow Serpent.  The Thirst steers his ship right into the mouth.  Aquaman follows. 

Review

I mentioned in the last review that I was getting tired with the dialogue, which is mainly exposition rather than actual dialogue.  Did I really need to have the recent conversion of Black Manta explained to me yet again?  Did the trip to the Lady Of The Lake actually accomplish anything other than to show she is dying, but she still has faith in Aquaman?  Did the scene with Sweeney further the story other than to remind us that these characters still exist?  And do the female warriors add anything to the story other than some comedy about how different things from what they are used to?  I realize that before this story arc can be completed, Aquaman will probably lose a third finger and the final battle will be over the final River Goddess, but man it just seems to be taking a lot of time to get there.

I am also rather curious to see how Black Manta will return to evil.  In essence, he had a mental condition that was exacerbated by antiquated methods of treatment (see:  exposition is bad.  You knew this already, so I did feel the need to repeat it).  Anyway, what could cause his brain to malfunction once more?  An electric shock similar to the therapy he received as a kid?  If so, why couldn’t Arthur just “heal” him once more?  Or will it be one of these situations where Black Manta says, “Stay away, don’t touch me, I don’t want to be healed!”  That is just so lame.  Please, if the decision was made to make Black Manta good, then keep it that way.  -- MRB

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