Aquaman (3) #47
Title: Shadows On The Water
Cover Title: To The Victor Goes The Throne!
Cover Date: Aug 1998
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Pencils: Jim Calafiore and Chris Renaud
Inks: Peter Palmiotti and Andy Lanning
Colors: Tom McCraw
Lettering: Albert DeGuzman
Asst. Editor: Dana Kurtin
Editor: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Jim Calafiore and Mark McKenna
Cover Price: $1.95
OVERVIEW:
The younger Aquaman challenges Aquaman, Tempest, and Dolphin. Eventually the older Aquaman gets smart and tries a telepathic attack, which shatters younger Aquaman's protective spell...
...a spell he needed to shield him from Aquaman's world, because he's really AJ, Mera's son born in another dimension. The shield protected him from the rapid aging he suffered last time he visited Aquaman's dimension, but it also disrupted his mind enough to make him believe he was the real Aquaman.
AJ tells Aquaman that AJ's world, and Mera, are in great danger. Aquaman decides to accompany AJ back into that world, and puts Tempest in charge in his absence.
AJ's world is completely covered in water, and is being attacked by a far-trawler fleet of the Maritorn. They are catching the inhabitants of the world. Aquaman and AJ teleport into one of "nets" and break free. But the leader of the Maritron has a trump card: Mera.
COMMENTS:
Great cover.
The art inside is uncomfortably uneven thanks to the combination of artists. On the whole it is pretty good though. Classic Aquaman (demented AJ) is suitably classic-looking.
The younger Aquaman recognizes Tempest as Garth, formerly Aqualad, but doesn't know who Dolphin and Aquaman are.
Tempest is put in charge of the city quite suddenly. This would appear to render the political conflict in the city quite moot. Unless Vulko and Koryak make a bid for control in Aquaman's absence.
If the Atlantis Chronicles is correct, Koryak should be at AJ's throat eventually. This is a bit of a problem, since AJ can't remain in Koryak's dimension without rapidly aging. Gotta wonder if any future writer will make use of this interesting plot device.
CONCLUSION:
After Peter David, expectations were high. Thankfully, Abnett and Lanning delivered a worthy script that continued the legacy of Aquaman quite nicely, thank you. I'm looking forward to the next issue.