DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN #20

American Tidal, Part 6

September 2004

Written by Will Pfeifer

Pencils by Patrick Gleason

Inks by Christian Alamy

Cover by Alan Davis & Mark Farmer

Synopsis

Aquaman has forced Geist, the scientist who found a way to change human DNA to make them water breathers, under the water and in Sub Diego to see what his done to the people.  Aquaman tells him that Geist knew, but did nothing.  Aquaman wants to know who is behind the destruction of San Diego.  Geist does not know, he never had direct contact with them, but he knows they are watching him right now:  they had a device implanted into him.  Using his waterhand, Aquaman removes the device.  Once gone, Geist knows they will attempt to kill him.  Via satellite, the unknown partners of Geist watch as he floats to the surface, only to kill himself; he is then mauled by sharks.  Below the water, Geist wonders why Aquaman set up the deception.  Aquaman tells Geist he is to stay under the water and help the people adjust to living underwater.  Lorena wants to know who gave Aquaman the authority to let Geist live after all that he had done.  Aquaman tells her it was his; he used to be king of Atlantis and now he will take the job of helping the people of Sub Diego get used to their new lives.

Review

This was a good ending, even if there was no real resolution or sense of closure.  The bad guys were not caught and the reasons for the earthquake were not learned.  Yet, the ending works because it fits neatly into the “life goes on” type of ending that a new sense of direction should have.  We had a major event in the world of Aquaman and for once it looks as if it will not forgotten or dropped by the wayside.  This is the new status quo and the ending to this issue reflects that.  This storyline was designed for the future; I am curious to see what happens next. 

It was nice to see the water hand has not been forgotten.  I am not sure if its use here is originally what the water hand was supposed to do, but it worked in this case.  I am willing to believe the water hand can do more than just heal or give him knowledge of the mystical waters.  I really hope this is something that will be explored in future issues. 

The mostly wordless portion that opens the issue and shows Geist what he has done to the people of Sub Dieo was beautifully done.  Gleason and Alamy have done a great job with this storyline, from last issue that took place entirely in one room to the scenes in this issue that show the horror and tragedy that has been inflicted upon all of the people.-- MRB