When I heard DC Comics was relaunching Aquaman, I was pretty excited. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would we get more political intrigue, a la Dan Abnett? Weird mystical explorations like DeConnick? It turns out writer Jeremy Adams has his own ideas and is doing something I never would’ve expected and didn’t know I wanted with Aquaman – turning him into a mythic figure.
With Atlantis and his family disappeared, Arthur Curry (Aquaman) found himself going through a gate searching for them. A gate that turned out to be an Omega Gate, AKA the symbol of Darkseid. Once through, the mystery only deepened as Arthur came across one of Atlantis’ old rulers and mystics, Arion, and The Lady of the Lake, Vivienne. Together, they set off from the dried lands Arthur found them in to seek answers to not only where Arthur’s family went but also this prophecy of Aquaman becoming The Dark Tide.
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Aquaman #3 is bookended by a story featuring kid Arthur and his father as they deal with the light in their lighthouse being out as a ship approaches. It was definitely my favorite part of the issue, as the message is all about standing tall in the darkness to light the way for others.
In the present day, Arthur, along with Arion and Vivienne, reaches a forge where they plan to make a weapon for Arthur to continue his quest. While there, they fill Arthur in on the origin of The Blue. It’s an amazing page as they explain the beginning of the universe, the clashing of Order and Chaos, and how the chaotic energies were dispersed all over. These energies were focused on objects (Green Lantern rings), elemental creatures (Swamp Thing), and what came to be known as Gods.
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After they’re done explaining, Arthur goes outside as they work. Lo and behold, a large rock spire cracks and reveals a Lambda Gate. What does this mean? I have no clue! Through it comes mermaids under the orders of a creature trying to control The Blue: Dagon. One of the mermaids hunting Arthur is none other than Lori Lemaris – a one-time romantic partner of Superman. The trio of mermaids kidnaps Arthur to take him to Dagon – something Arion realizes once they’ve finished forging.
As I said before, my favorite part of this issue was the bookends of kid Arthur and his dad. It was kind of sappy, but it’s the stuff I love in comics – the stuff that ends up defining a hero. I also appreciate Jeremy Adams taking the time to explain the universal energies that power a lot of what we know in the DC Comics universe. Not only that but there’s the revelation that The Blue, AKA water, is basically a form of magic.
Artist John Timms and Colorist Rex Lokus continue to carve out a space for Aquaman in DC. Timms’ lines are reminiscent of other modern DC artists, but he’s also bringing something clearly his own to his book. Lokus’ colors also continue to stand out, and Arthur explores this weird, magical world.
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If I had one major complaint about this issue, there’s a disconnect between the cover and what’s inside. The cover reads, “Darkseid is…Aquaman?!” but the only way that comes up in the issue is Arthur’s one-sentence kind of throwaway inner monologue. And yes, I know covers not matching up to what’s inside isn’t anything new in comics. However, with the Omega Gate and the mystery of The Dark Tide that Aquaman is seemingly destined to become, I was looking forward to it.
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Jeremy Adams and company continue to turn in a book I can only describe as a cosmic odyssey for Aquaman. This current run is a weird and mysterious adventure where I have no clue what will happen next. As long as you can check your expectations at the door, I think Aquaman #3 is a book many can get into.
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