Aquaman (1994) #48
Title: Falls The Shadow
Cover Title: Fatal Reunion!
Cover Date: Sep 1998
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Pencils: Jim Calafiore
Inks: Peter Palmiotti and Mark McKenna
Colors: Tom McCraw
Lettering: Albert DeGuzman
Asst. Editor: Chuck Kim
Editor: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Jim Calafiore and Mark McKenna
Cover Price: $1.95
OVERVIEW:
Aquaman attacks Mera's captors, heedless of his own health. AJ helps him by taking down the leader, Nemo, then the three escape into the ocean. The Maritorn follow them down, but are attacked by Oceanid resistance fighters, who buy Aquaman, AJ, and Mera time to escape.
Once in an abandoned Oceanid Outpost, Mera explains that she and AJ have been fighting the Maritorn almost since they arrived in this world. She sent AJ to find Aquaman because this dimension's Naiad, the water elemental, is dying because of the damage the Maritorn are doing. They need Aquaman's abilities to link the resistance, and coordinate the counter-attack. Aquaman agrees to help.
The Oceanid counter-attack, with Aquaman leading and guiding through the clear, and Mera attacking with her hard water powers from below, is successful. When Aquaman asks Mera to return with him, she turns to AJ, who makes up her mind for her by sending her through the portal. Aquaman and AJ part, and AJ is left to lead the Oceanids as their own Aquaman.
COMMENTS:
The cover... oh, the cover! It's something that long-time fans have been waiting for. Too bad the same scene doesn't occur in the book.
Mera's costume now has been enhanced with boots, armour at the joints, and a utility belt. Aquaman comments on her new warrior attitude.
The Oceanids are all dressed like Aquaman. The Classic Aquaman.
Having just reviewed a bunch of Silver Age Aquaman, I can honestly say that this book is very much more like the Silver Age than it was with Peter David writing. This isn't entirely a good thing, as the plot seemed too straightforward and simple, and there was no hint of what was happening at home in Atlantis.
AJ is left as the ruler of Oceanid. He's basically been set up as an Earth-2 Aquaman.
CONCLUSION:
Not as good as last issue's effort, but not as bad as it could've been.