Aquaman (3) #37
Title: One Demon Life
Cover Title: Find The Friendly Parademon
Cover Date: October 97
Crossover: Genesis
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Jim Calafiore
Inks: Peter Palmiotti
Colors: Tom McCraw
Lettering: Albert DeGuzman
Asst. Editor: Dana Kurtin
Drill Sergeant: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Jim Calafiore and Mark McKenna
Cover Price: $1.75
Continuity: IN
OVERVIEW:
Darkseid's plan is unfolding, and Parademons are on the roll. Parademon 3G4 is just another cog in Apokolips machinery, and just another Parademon who is being trained for just another mission.
In Poseidonis, Garth and Vulko disagree on Arthur's new nature. Vulko only sees the brutal King who sentenced his people to slavery to make up for what they did under the influence of Kordax. Garth sees the other side, the Arthur who was hurt at Dolphin's betrayal, and wished him well.
Garth is a bit clueless, though. He didn't even realize that Dolphin and Arthur were lovers, as he learns while he and Dolphin search for Arthur in the city.
The Parademons are on their way to attack Poseidonis, and 3G4 is hit by a passing airplane. The others, including their leader, Topkick, ignore his fall.
But Aquaman notices, and offers a hand of friendship to the speechless parademon. It isn't sure what to think, and Aquaman leaves it to see what the other parademons are up to.
Garth and Dolphin are the first to notice the parademon attack.
3G4 attacks Aquaman upon hearing the attack command from Topkick. As they fight, the parademon finally figures out what to ask Aquaman, "Why?" At the question, the fight stops, and Aquaman leaves 3G4 to figure himself out while he goes to protect his city.
Tempest and Koryak are working together for the first time, against the invaders from Apokolips. Dolphin saves Vulko. Koryak realizes Tempest is in danger, but finds he can't bring himself to warn him... luckily for Garth, Aquaman has gotten back and saves his longtime friend.
Dolphin is still in trouble though, being attacked by Topkick. Aquaman goes to her aid. As they fight, 3G4 arrives. He witnesses Aquaman being hurt by Topkick, and decides to help Aquaman. Topkick promptly kills him, then retreats from the combined power of Aquaman, Dolphin, Koryak, Tempest, and the sea. Aquaman asks 3G4 "Why?" and gets only "Why not?" as a response before the parademon dies.
COMMENTS:
The solicitation for the issue in Previews was completely wrong.
The letter page asks how many parademons are on the cover. My answer: A bunch.
Before this issue even came out, PAD was being accused of ripping off Star Trek with the Bor, er, Parademon changes side thing. I don't think that's much of is at all, myself, but people have to have something to complain about.
Vulko is apparently miffed that Aquaman is treating him like a normal subject now. This is a bit understandable, as Vulko is Arthur's oldest living friend, one-time ruler of Poseidonis, and an advisor to Aquaman through the years. Still, Vulko turned his back on Arthur when Arthur needed him most, following Koryak instead of listening to Arthur's discovery. Vulko participated in the destruction of Tritonis. And so Vulko is angry at Arthur for problems that Vulko himself helped cause. Not the Vulko I know and love, but then, maybe he's getting feeble-minded in his old age.
Boy, is Garth clueless! How could he not know what was happening between Dolphin and Arthur? How could he have missed all the clues? Well, as Garth says to Dolphin's comment that she's wearing one of Arthur's shirts, "I lent Robin a bathing suit once. Didn't mean we were lovers." Oops. Terribly naive of him.
Koryak still thinks of Garth as a rival. Wonder what will happen if AJ (Mera's new son) gets thrown into the mix? Koryak is being set up as a future bad guy, and Vulko appears to be going with him. Not good developments for this Vulko fan.
Arthur shows both sides of his nature in this issue. The kind Arthur sees a fallen parademon and tries to give it aid. The King Arthur attacks the brutal parademon who has Dolphin. Both Arthurs can co-exist, and hopefully will do so in future.
CONCLUSION:
Despite being a crossover issue, this has lots of character development. It's always amazing how many plot threads each issue of Aquaman contains. Highly recommended.