DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN:  SWORD OF ATLANTIS #47

Coral Song

January 2007

Written by Kurt Busiek and Karl Kesel

Pencils by Phil Winslade and Butch Guice (epilogue)

Inks by Phil Winslade and Butch Guice (epilogue)

Cover by Butch Guice

Synopsis

At Reef’s End, a series of murders of local priests haven recently taken place, all attributed to King Shark.  Aquaman was able to apprehend King Shark, but he was able to get away, taking Vulko and Nenomi, a local prostitute, as hostages.  Meanwhile, Aquaman takes along Ptero, the local tavern owner, to find King Shark.  While searching, Aquaman sees a female figure and follows her right to King Shark’s hiding place.  In the ensuing battle, King Shark knocks Aquaman out, but gets blasted by the sound a million tiny voices.  In the confusion, Aquaman is able to apprehend King Shark and save Vulko and Nenomi.  Later, Aquaman learns that it was not Nenomi who led him to King Shark, but he doesn’t know who.  In the present, King Shark still thinks there is something familiar about the Dweller in the Depths....

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a decent end to the two-part story of Reef’s end and the first-ever (I would assume) meeting between King Shark and Aquaman.  All of the various characters were given good moments to shine and as one might expect good triumphed over evil.  Ultimately the staying power of (or the fondness for) this issue will depend on exactly how Busiek or his replacement Tad Williams, will use the elements (Reef’s End, the coral song, the various characters) from this story in the future.  If at all.  If these two issues were simply a fill-in to allow the book to catch up with his lateness, then it will be quickly forgotten, as most fill-ins are forgotten.  However, if this flashback story provides the back drop for future stories, such as the new Aquaman’s first appearance in Reef’s End or perhaps an encounter it the coral creature, the story may resonate more, depending (of course) on how well Busiek plots out the overall story arc. 

My own feeling is that these two issues are just a fill-in, with King Shark selected as Aquaman’s antagonist because of his new role post-Crisis.  The key (to me at least) is King Shark’s relationship with his father.  A couple of issues ago it was revealed that his father wanted him to remain with the new Aquaman so he can kill him when the time is right.  Now, in this issue, Vulko advises King Shark that perhaps he shouldn’t blindly follow his father’s orders.  So, the question becomes:  why is King Shark with Aquaman, really?  It is an intriguing question that I hope gets addressed soon, but not too soon.  While this story provides some good background for King Shark’s relationship with his father, I don’t think it will be all the integral for whatever Busiek has in mind in the future.

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