Aquaman (1991) #7
Title: What Matters Most
Cover Title: Aquaman vs Aquaman
Cover Date: June 1992
Writer: Shaun McLaughlin
Pencils: Ken Hooper
Inks: Bob Dvorak
Colors: Tom McCraw
Lettering: Dan Nakrosis
Editor: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Kevin Maguire and P Craig Russell
Cover Price: $1.25
OVERVIEW:
Aquaman is attacked by an unknown enemy, who is controlling his mind. The enemy wears his old blue suit. He dreams that he kills Green Lantern, Hal, and the Justice League buries Hal on Mercy Reef.
Aquaman, in real life, has been patched together. His pain is being caused by whatever is controlling his mind.
Thanatos is behind it! And, even more exciting, he has Mera under his control. He torments Arthur with visions of Artie Jr. and Mera and Garth.
In Poseidonis, the nurse is concerned that Aquaman will hurt himself in his nightmares.
Thanatos wants Aquaman to fight, and to hate Mera in the dream. He refuses to fight, and deals with himself. And escapes Thanatos's control.
Aquaman is finally whole again. And Thanatos... Thanatos, and Mera, and a boy who looks suspiciously like Artie Jr, are waiting for the next time.
COMMENTS:
I like the blue suit, so I like the cover of this issue. The use of two different Aquaman logos is also effective.
Thanatos first shows up in the first Aquaman series issue #54. He is much the same in that appearance, using fantasy to control and manipulate Aquaman.
Mera is alive and under Thanatos's control. If Aquaman truly knew this he would do everything in his power to free her, but he doesn't know.
Who's the kid? We will learn, later, in PAD's series.
When Aquaman faces the Justice League, it's the original five of the Post-Crisis.
CONCLUSION:
Rating: 8
Very wierd, but very interesting.