Aquaman (3) #44
Title: Depths of Perception
Cover Title: King of the Monsters!
Cover Date: May 1998
Writers: Peter David and Bill Mumy
Pencils: Jim Calafiore
Inks: Peter Palmiotti
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:
The Flash (the original) and Sentinel are vacationing at an island getaway with their wives when a monster attacks the resort. Sentinel is about to kill the monster when Aquaman barges in and demands to talk to it. They reluctantly let him. Turns out that the monster is Timmorn, a childhood friend of Aquaman. He convinces Timmorn to promise that he won't return, then pays for the damages to the resort.
Unfortunately, the monster doesn't remember his promise and attacks the resort again. This time someone dies before Aquaman, The Flash, and Sentinel can knock the monster unconscious. Aquaman realizes what he has to do, and takes Timmorn deep into the ocean, then kills him.
In a stinger of a last page, when learn that Triton was behind Timmorn's desire to "play" with the surfacers, and that Triton has Timmorn's son, who now wants revenge against Aquaman.
COMMENTS:
I love the cover. The colors on the scan I have are not quite the same as the actual cover: Sentinel's costume has more green in it and his power aura around his hand is green.
The first 10 pages of this story are a strong story on their own. It easily could stand-alone as a Golden or Silver Age type story.
Sentinel and Flash are portrayed excellently here, as are Alan Scott and Jay Garrick and their wives. This story is a sweet little treat for JSA fans along with Aquaman fans.
Calafiore's art is a little too Calafiore in this issue, even for my tastes. Everyone is wrinkled and squints.
CONCLUSION:
An excellent stand alone issue worth picking up to get a taste of the Peter David Aquaman run.