I am very glad the Beard and Harpoon Hand days are finally over for Aquaman. I always saw those changes as an attempt to darken the character and make him closer to Marvel's premier ocean hero, and they never really worked for me. Fortunately, that phase is past and Aquaman is not only back to his classic look, but starring in two hit series from the new DC Reboot. It's nice to see him finally getting the respect he deserves.
As the cover indicates, this is a continued story... tune in for part two tomorrow!
Dave sez,
ReplyDeleteYes! Great cover for new comic Wednesday! Aquaman #4 is do out today.
I wasn't really sure about this New 52 relaunch. But Johns has given Arthur and Mera his "Green Lantern" approach, and I like it! I like Ivan Reis' art.
Issue #4 of Justice League was all about Aquaman showing the other five his royal highness. He really showed up Hal Jordan.
If DC is smart they will work to improve Aquaman's image. Disney has Percy Jackson and I would imagine that they might develop Namor, the Sub-Mariner themselves with marvel rather than let another studio do it.
I'm hoping that 2012 is good to both Arthur and Namor.
Hey...! Whats so wrong about having a beard? I happened to have liked the grimy beard and menacing harpoon hand! With a pair of "Clark Kent" glasses, he would pass as a typical hipster from the Portland/Seatle area. Oh well. I absolutely dig the JIM APARO artwork. This guy made EVERYONE look good. Why isn't there a coffee table book devoted to his work?
ReplyDeleteGreat cover!
ReplyDeleteI know TwoMorrows has been assembling an Aparo book - not sure when it will be solicited though.
ReplyDeleteLove it...your covers keep getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteI have a request for Killraven the post apocalyptic hero from Amazing Adventures. Thanks for your work and time with these they are truly great fun.
JB
I have to cast another vote for the hook. From the late 1960's to the pre-Crisis Detroit JLA, Aquaman went back and forth from his own title to Adventure several times and what I remember from most of it was him staring at his toes and feeling sorry for himself. When faced with a genuine disability, it shocked him back to reality and he started getting his priorities straight. Far from darkening him, the title brightened up for the first time in thirty years. It didn't turn him into the Punisher, it turned him into Iron Man, c.1964. And when Erik Larsen superciliously dismissed the Peter David run after taking over, no less than Harlan Ellison memorably raked him over the coals for it.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, great cover! Any chance you'll be useing artwork from thier match in DC Vs Marvel?
ReplyDeleteGood match of artists. I always felt that Byrne was closer to Aparo than Neal Adams, stylewise.
ReplyDeleteDC V. Marvel Had Beardhook Aquaman and Ponytail Namor (not to mention ugly costumes for Spider-Man, Thor and Daredevil, Mullet Superman, and so on - hey, it was the 90's), so I'm not crazy about the looks presented with in. Besides, it's kind of cheating for me to use a crossover to make a crossover!
ReplyDeleteTrue. I still love how Arthur really ripped on Namor though. ;)
ReplyDeleteLate '90s Aquaman with the beard and hook was IMO, by FAR the BEST version of the character! I wouldn't want my Aquaman any other way! I can hardly believe they ended that era of him!
ReplyDeleteWait a second...Submariner 'never had mental telepathic control of sea-creatures' like Aquaman did (according to the Filmation late 1960s cartoons for Aquaman). We assume Sub-Mariner had some type of Control,..we he did summon some monster fish creatures to attack the Fantastic-4 back in the day, which Thing managed to 'punch out'.
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