Aquaman (1994) Secret Files #1
Title: Secret Files
Cover Title: Who is Aquaman?
Cover Date: Dec 1998
Writer: Erik Larsen, Steve Vance, Scott Beatty
Art: Mike Miller, Saleem Crawford, Marty Egeland, Howard Shum, Jim Calafiore, Peter Palmiotti, Eliot Brown, Eric Battle, Danny Miki, Mike Mayhew, Drew Geraci, Phil Jimenez, Joe Phillips, Jasen Rodriguez, Tom Grindberg, Vince Giarrano, Bill Willingham, Wade von Grawbadger, Bryan Hitch
Colors: Tom McCraw and Digital Chameleon
Lettering: Kurt Hathaway
Asst. Editor: Alisande Morales
Editor: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Erik Larsen
Cover Price: $4.95
OVERVIEW:
Secret Origins: Left for Dead
A strange woman retells the origin of Aquaman... to the villain formerly known as Charybdis. The woman is a re-animated version of Aquaman's long-dead mother, Atlanna. And Charybdis? He's become Piranha-Man.
The Myth of Aquaman
A fish, having just heard of Aquaman for the first time, attempts to learn more about the King of the Seas.
Tempest Interview: Making Waves
Tempest is interviewed by The Waterspout (an eco-newsletter apparently run by extremists) who accuses him and Aquaman of not doing enough to protect the oceans.
COMMENTS:
Secret Origins: Left for Dead
This retelling of Aquaman's origin more tightly weaves Legend of Aquaman to Peter David's version, clearing up the one real problem between the two by having Aquaman's mother's face sent to him in a vision from Atlan. Also left out is Arthur Curry's note to young Arthur that let him know that disaster had fallen upon the lighthouse keeper. Arthur's natural telepathic ability with languages is put back in line with Legend (and JLA: Year One), as Arthur learns Inupiat from Arthur Sr, instead of simply knowing it (In Legend he had to learn Atlantean).
The first nineteen pages of this story are a great, and very strong, retelling of Aquaman's origin. I dearly wish I could go back in time and warn myself not to read the last three, though. Atlanna is the single worst choice for a return, especially as a reanimated Frankenstienian corpse. I was hoping all through the story that the returning character might be Arthur Curry Sr, especially with all the clues left that Curry may have gone back to the Inupiats, and might still be alive.
And should I even mention how incredibly silly the name "Piranha-Man" is? Granted, the guy's insane, but this villain is already a candidate for Wizard's Mort of the Month, and he's only been on two pages. Apparently we get to continue the grand Aquaman tradition of truly lame bad guys.
Aquacave Schematic
A cute drawing of Aquaman's cavern, in a cut-away sort of view. The one in the 70s book was better.
Profile Pages
There are profiles of Aquaman, Mera, Tempest, Black Manta, Ocean Master, Noble, The Landlovers, Aquaman's Supporting Cast, and the Fire-Trolls. Each profile consists of a portrait of the character(s), a set of stats, some short summaries of powers, and a history. The art is generally ok, and the histories sometimes give good information, and sometimes are completely wrong.
The Myth of Aquaman
A fun little two-pager that tells of a fish's journey to discover who Aquaman is. The best thing in the book by fathoms.
Map of Poseidonis
A very simple overview of the areas of the city, with drawings of some of the chief buildings. With I was hoping for more of a tourist's guide to Poseidonis, not something this simple. Note that on the title page, the city is referred to as Poseidonis, not Atlantis. Guess the name change didn't stick.
Tempest Interview: Making Waves
The interviewer is concerned with an ecological agenda, and wants Aquaman and Tempest to do more to save the oceans, "more" consisting of sinking the ships of surfacers who damage the oceans. Tempest firmly sets the interviewer straight, not that any extremist is likely to listen. This is both a commentary on the oceans and a commentary on the way to fix the problems.
Aquaman Timeline
Ug. Lots of mistakes, including the fact that Thierna Na Oge was the city crushed by a Millenium Giant, NOT Tritonis. Really crummy research job. I'll let other folk pick apart the rest of the mistakes.
CONCLUSION:
Absolutely not worth the price. At three dollars this might have been worth it, but five is just a rip-off.