AQUAMAN #1 DC COMICS
Well, he’s back. That’s something. Almost clean-shaven and without a hook for a hand so we are ahead of the ballgame. And he’s dressed in scaly orange and green so there’s that. He still breathes water, talks to sea creatures and got to keep Mera as arm candy so we be good on that level. The creatrive team of writer Jeremy Adams and artist John Timms do a good job of keeping us centered on the basics even though they have been handed a version of Aquaman that has suddenly gained Mera’s powers of water manipulation. Damn All In DC Universe. And obviously, this has been a story that Adams has been setting up for as he references serveral other stories in other titles. I was willing to go along for the ride until I got to the final panel. No spoilers but when I saw that panel, I hit my head on the desktop. Oh well, got to keep the new titles on the same track. Hoping that this doesn’t go off the rails too badly. A very optimistic 7 out of 10 Grahams.
GEIGER #10 GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS
Finally, we’ve reached one of the set points in time as Geiger’s time line finally interacts with Junkyard Joe’s in this current series. And as the Glowing Man starts to lose control, Joe is here as a friend. Thankfully as Nate was definitely not prepared for the flare up. Too bad about the copy of Robinson Crusoe. But we do find ourselves at the town of Lewistown and the first appearance of Ash Arden. Who is she? What is she? And why is her appearance very similar to Geiger’s? Writer Geoff Johns keeps the narrative moving forward and keeps it interesting. And with a Who’s Who page for Junkyard Joe, how can you not love this title. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
BACK ISSUE MAGAZINE #157 TWOMORROWS
When one thinks of Keith Giffin, one can’t help but think of the insanity of his Ambush Bug. Or his insanity of a Justice League where Batman punches Guy Gardner in the face. Or the insanity of Lobo, the Galactic Bounty Hunter. Or that time with the Legion of Substitute Heroes. And while all of these are excellent example of Giffin work, there is so much more. And luckily, the folks at Back Issue are there to remind us. Whether it be the panel featuring the mysterious grey haired figure with glasses from All-Star Comics #62, or the black and white Witchworld story from Marvel Preview #7, or the White Tiger story from the black and white Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #22 magazine, these were all Keith Giffin. From the early design sense of the debut of Marvel’s Jack of Hearts to his weird zig-zaggy line style in DC Comics Presents #88, Giffin could change art styles effortlessly. And all one has to do is look at the 15×40 inch giant mural poster of the Legion of Super-Heroes in 1983, to see what he could accomplish. And while I was honored to have lived through those years and see his work as it hit the newsstands, this issue does a great job of introducing his art to another generation. Sadly, Keith Giffen left us in 2023 but as this tribute issue shows, he will not be forgotten. 10 out of 10 Grahams.
DC FINEST AQUAMAN TRADE PAPERBACK DC COMICS
With a new Aquaman comic hitting the stands this week, it was appropriate that DC release another of their DC Finest trades featuring the early days of the King of Atlantis. And what a collection it is! Starting with the first appearance of Topo the Octopus from 1956’s Adventure Comics #229 to a showdown with an ancient counterpart from Aquaman’s original series #3 from 1962. These tails come from a time when Aquaman was fully in his own. Drawn but such legends as Nick Cardy, Ramona Fradon, Jim Mooney, Sheldon Moldoff, Dick Dillion, and so many others. It was these adventures that had him making guest appearances in titles such as Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane, Showcase, and Detective Comics. Introduce us to amazing characters such as Lisa Morel, the original Aquagirl, the purple eyed Aqualad, the villainous Flying Fish, and Aquaman’s one time alter ego Mental Man. It would be these adventures that earned him his own Filmation cartoon as well as being a founding member of the Super Friends. When Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger first created Aquaman in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73, I wonder if they had any clue that he’d still be going strong 84 years later? Well, he is and this collection is the proof of why! 10 out of 10 Grahams.