DCU Comic Book Reviews

AQUAMAN:  SWORD OF ATLANTIS #53

Blood In The Water

August 2007

Written by Tad Williams

Layouts by Shawn McManus

Finishes by Shawn McManus

Cover by Paul Rivoche

Synopsis

After learning that Black Manta had taken control of Sub Diego and may be interested in whatever is located at the nearby naval station, former Mayor Cal Durham leads Arthur and Lorena Marquez to find out what it could be.  However, Black Manta is waiting for them and takes them into custody.  Meanwhile, Dr. Kyesha Salton tries to understand what might’ve happened to Tempest and it has to do with the tattoo of the Thorny Crown.  Elsewhere, Narwhal doesn’t understand why the man he killed, Aquaman, knew him.  In San Diego, Dr. Curry doesn’t understand how or why is son copuld be alive.  Krusivax explains to him that with Dr. Curry’s help, he will rule Atlantis again.  Meanwhile, Black Manta orders the execution of Arthur and Cal in front of the entire city.  With the help of Tempest and Lorena, they are able to break free.  King Shark then returns and bites the head of Black Manta.  In Poseidonis, Queen Mera learns that he her husband’s body as become pure water.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“I imagine being an apprentice Aquaman is your summer job while you struggle with junior college, right?”

Based on this issue, I am not sure if Tad Williams knows the meaning of decompression.  A lot (and I mean a lot) happens in this issue and it was a great, fun read.  There was plenty of action and humor and while none of the storylines really move forward that dramatically, the story didn’t drag or get boring.  Williams gives all of the various players, a there are a lot of them, with something to do rather than just sit around.  All of them had something to contribute to their escape at the end, especially Arthur has he learns more about his power to speak to sea creatures.  Even Topo is becoming less annoying, although it is becoming clear that he has answers to a number of questions plaguing the characters. 

Black Manta was the bomb in this issue.  I mean, the way Tad Williams presented him is absolutely the best I have ever seen him.  From the comparison of survival insurance to his reaction to Aquaman’s death and the way he attempts to kill the heroes without monologuing is just brilliant.  And then Williams puts the proverbial cherry on top by having King Shark bite his head off.  I even loved how Williams not only managed to explain how Manta survived his encounter with Aquaman the last time to set up the way out of the bite attack from King Shark. 

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