DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN #25

Escape

February 2005

Written by John Arcudi

Pencils by Patrick Gleason

Inks by Christian Alamy & Mick Gray

Cover by Patrick Gleason & Christian Alamy

Synopsis

In Sub Diego, Aquaman and Lorena encounter a deep sea diver carrying a load of jewelry.  The diver points to a couple who gave it to him.  Aquaman realizes the couple sold their jewelry for drugs.  Aquaman tracks down the drug lord, named Moriarty.  Aquaman tries to get Moriarty to cease and desist trafficking drugs in Sub Diego.  Moriarty sends his junkie pals to attack Aquaman, who easily escapes their grasp, but loses Moriarty.  Later, Aquaman realizes there is much about human beings he just does not understand, which is why he needs Lorena to help him. 

Review

When DC announced that yet another writer would take over Aquaman, I got a little scared.  Veitch’s run with the Thirst was a horrible disaster.  While Pfeiffer’s run with the creation of Sub Diego was better, he also managed to completely change the direction of Aquaman.  So, where would Arcdui take Aquaman.  The god news is that Arcudi has not only kept Aquaman in Sub Diego, but he also managed to explore the ramifications of this new setting on the people now living underwater.  One would have to think that after having your home destroyed and your way of living radically changed, that desperation would have to set in at some point.  Let’s face it, the things we do on a normal basis that involve electricity (like watching tv, or cooking dinner) are now gone.  Hell, even the pleasure of taking a shower or going for a swim is now gone.  I think Arcudi effectively taps into this desperation with the couple seeking drugs to dull their existence of their new life (and bartering useless material to receive useful drugs).  The bad news is that the story does not flow that well; there seems to be a bit of cutting to the story that makes it jump around a little bit.  Plus, the story lacks a certain focus.  While I liked the touches with the couple and how they deal with their new situation, the bits and pieces with Moriarty failed to flow naturally, especially with the bit about the thugs sharpening their teeth and then attempting to attack Aquaman to protect their boss.  Ultimately, however, this is a good, solid start; hopefully the writing will be crisper as Arcudi gets used to the setting and develops a long-term (if that is possible with Aquaman) goal with this series.   -- MRB 

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