Aquaman (3) #40
Title: Doctor In The House
Cover Title: Fatal Repulsion!
Cover Date: January 1998
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Jim Calafiore and Vince Giarrano
Inks: Peter Palmiotti and Vince Giarrano
Colors: Tom McCraw
Lettering: Albert DeGuzman
Asst. Editor: Dana Kurtin
Editor: Kevin Dooley
Cover: Jim Calafiore and Peter Palmiotti
Cover Price: $1.95
Continuity: IN
OVERVIEW:
A stranger with some sort of powers over metal visits Poseidonis. Within his first few minutes of stepping in the gates he sends Aquaman flying, using his hook to pull him. When Garth and Dolphin go to help him, he nearly skewers Garth.
Meanwhile, a red-head with an attitude visits Fontaine, Lunt and Russell, Poseidonis' publicity managers, and asks for assistance in visiting Aquaman.
Fearing a repeat of the dangerous events of the morning, Aquaman puts his artificial hand over his hook. Rumors are already flying about why Aquaman attacked Garth. Dolphin and Garth feel the weight of the gossip and ask a citizen to explain it. She gives them the current version of the rumors, and Dolphin realizes that the whole city knows about her and Garth.
Dr Polaris makes his move, but Aquaman is able to contain him with the help of Garth and Koryak. Unfortunately, Dolphin doesn't realize he's contained and accidently frees him. The city is turned on its side, and just when things couldn't get worse...
The Regal Red-Head Maxima arrives, and lets Dolphin know that Aquaman is hers.
COMMENTS:
Ok cover, nothing to write home about.
The art in the book is very uneven. Calafiore's stuff is solid, but Giarrano seems to be either brilliant or incredibly dull. I hope we don't get this mish-mash of art too often.
I like how the rumor spreads in Poseidonis. Dolphin to Deep Blue, Deep Blue to Koryak, Koryak to a few choice souls, then everyone in the city knows about it. And has it wrong, predicatably.
This is really Dolphin's story, underneath it all. She is having a hard time fitting in with the people of the city, and her relationship with Garth has made things worse for her. She saves Koryak, but frees Dr Polaris at the wrong moment. And then, at the end, she's the one to confront Maxima, who can be both villain and hero.
We get to see Stasy again, but only as she's dealing with Mer... er, Maxima. Nice way of introducing Maxima, by the way. She could have been Mera.
Tsunami is still in the city, with the slowly healing Deep Blue. Let's take a hero roll-call, shall we? Deep Blue (injured, but possibly able to fight if needed), Tsunami, Dolphin, Tempest, Koryak, and Aquaman. That's six heroes against one Dr Polaris. Let's see how they fare with Maxima thrown in the mix for good measure.
I really don't like the way Vulko is progressing. Maybe he's still possessed by Kordax.
CONCLUSION:
An OK issue, with lots more set-up and some great action.