Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #53

DC Comics
Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #53
By Hervé St-Louis
September 6, 2007 - 02:22

DC Comics
Writer(s): Tad Williams
Penciller(s): Shawn McManus
Inker(s): Walden Wong
Cover Artist(s): Mario Alberti
ISBN: 978-1401211455
144 pages

Black Manta captures Aquaman and his allies and intends on executing them. But he needs some of their blood for an unspecified plan of his. Of course, the calvary comes in to rescue Aquaman and his allies, or so they think. Elsewhere, the body of the first Aquaman is changing into something else and his wife, Queen Mera is worried.

Yet again Black Manta takes more punishment than the average villain. I don’t know how many times he has suffered changes and major attack on his person. He must be the most disfigured and unlucky bad guy in comic books. The story is good as it continues to be intrigue oriented. We find out more about Arthur Curry’s father as Williams finally tells us who is mastering everything. The fight with Black Manta won’t be memorable and will go down as yet another attempt to make an Aquaman story interesting by pitting him against his most dangerous enemy.

McManus shows signs of leaving the cartoonish look behind. His characters look more dramatic as the drama in the story increases. The action is great too. He has strong storytelling skills. Dan Brown’s painterly colours are also neat. They give a textured look to this series.

This was supposed to be my last issue of Aquaman, and I am seriously reconsidering my decision. Williams and McManus may have a sleeper hit on their hands.