The ongoing Jeremy Adams and John Timms run on Aquaman has mostly been about high-stakes action and cosmic mythology. That’s why issue #10, “Horror on the High Seas,” is a welcome change of pace. It’s a fun, spooky nautical adventure that manages to nail that classic “monster-of-the-week” feel while still keeping the main story chugging along. It also gives a good reminder that the King of Atlantis isn’t a solo act anymore.
The story kicks off with Arthur trying to tune into “The Blue,” his connection to the ocean, which is now on a scale his teammates can barely grasp. He senses a disturbing darkness (a pollution) spreading through the high seas and knows he has to deal with it.
That “pollution” turns out to be a massive ghost ship crewed by two-hundred-year-old undead pirates, making a ruckus just off the coast of Coast City. It’s a perfect, pulpy setup! Arthur, along with his new allies, Arion and Vivienne, quickly jump into the fray. The action is fast and dynamic, as Vivienne’s knives and Arion’s magic combine with Aquaman’s sheer power for a fantastic brawl against the skeleton crew.
The book’s climax is the highlight. Arthur fully taps into his new power, spinning the ocean into a literal typhoon to herd the pirates onto Arion’s magical glyphs, finally sending the disturbed spirits on their way. As for the ghost ship? It makes a spectacular, hilarious landfall right into the city streets, providing a great visual gag complete with a few confused trick-or-treaters.
The art by John Timms and colors by Rex Lokus are, as usual, a powerhouse team on this book. Timms’ energetic, angular style is perfectly suited for the action, making the fight with the ghost pirates a visual treat. Lokus’ colors are crucial to the atmosphere, using a sickly black and purple for the “darkness” that Aquaman senses, which contrasts beautifully with the bright, electric blue of Arion’s magic and Aquaman’s own hydrokinetic powers.
However, the B-plot continues to be a sticking point. We get another glimpse of Mera, Tempest, and Andrina in the dimensionally-shifted Atlantis. I’m still scratching my head over their status, as I thought they were supposed to be back last issue. Adams is clearly committed to keeping Arthur away from his family and usual support group in favor of his new cast, which is frustrating. I hope this subplot wraps up soon, as it’s definitely starting to drag the overall series down.
Aquaman #10 combines the ongoing saga of Aquaman’s power boost and missing family with a truly fun, classic aquatic horror story. It’s a great example of a book that can handle both the epic and the ridiculous elements of the Aquaman mythos. Though this issue is a surprisingly quick read, and ultimately one that could be skipped without missing a major beat in the overarching plot, it’s still a satisfying single-issue adventure that reminds us why Aquaman is the protector of all watery domains.
‘Aquaman’ #10 Aquaman Fights Ghost Pirates… and Crashes Into Coast City
Aquaman #10 combines the ongoing saga of Aquaman’s power boost and missing family with a truly fun, classic aquatic horror story. It’s a great example of a book that can handle both the epic and the ridiculous elements of the Aquaman mythos. Though this issue is a surprisingly quick read, and ultimately one that could be skipped without missing a major beat in the overarching plot, it’s still a satisfying single-issue adventure that reminds us why Aquaman is the protector of all watery domains.
