Aquaman #50 Goes into ‘Dead Water’

Title: Aquaman #50

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Brett Booth

Inker: Norm Rapmund

Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse

Release Date: March 30, 2016

Aquaman 50, the big double issue features land attacks from sea creatures, Jaws jokes and the emergence of Aquawoman.

I haven’t picked up an Aquaman book since issue 14, but this one was surprisingly witty as Queen Mera takes on the role of Aquawoman as the two set forth press conference for the surface world where Garth aka Aqualad has set out press packs for those in attendance, a first for him. Unfortunately, the conference has to be postponed as Aquaman is called in by the FBI in order stop an Atlantean Monster…or some sort of sea creature that has been killing people up top.

Enter the character Dead Water, a monster with a humanoid upper body attached to that of a seas serpent who even the littlest drop of water allows it to move around undetected, attacking its victims and reeking havoc on the surface even as far inland as Albany, NY. Think of it as kind of Aquaman’s version of Dooms Day. It kills without reason, without purpose and Aquaman is its latest prey.

Dan Abnett has picked up where Geoff Johns left off in keeping Aquaman alive and interesting. Throughout the New-52, he has become a far more interesting character and the relationship with Queen Mera in a loving banter between an ideal couple.  Aquaman is more regal, more interesting and far more witty than in the previous 70 plus years. Abnett understands relationships and the balance that they need to be sucessful and he has done so with these characters.

The artistic team of Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund continues to be outstanding. I have seen the detail that Booth puts into his pencils and Rapmund’s finishing of those pencilings on makes it pop. Sometimes, I would be thrilled just to see a book or two in just their black and whites, but then you bring Andrew Dalhouse and you know that this extra layer of art that adds coloring to the story and BOOM we have damn near perfection.

I never thought I’d publicly confess this, but…I finally like Aquaman.