Aquaman #29 – Review

By: Jeff Parker (story), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Sean Parsons & Norm Rapmund (inks), Rain Beredo (colors)

The Story: What the Atlanteans really needed were hieroglyphics for “Do Not Enter.”

The Review: I have to admit, when you take the time to count up all the things science has given us over the years—indoor plumbing, refrigeration, penicillin, instant ramen—it’s pretty obvious that intellectual curiosity has paid off for us. Even so, fiction seems obsessed with stories where the pursuit of knowledge unleashes forces that humanity isn’t ready for, from the most recent issue of Letter 44 all the way back to Adam and Eve. I guess we could use the constant reminders of our own fallibility.

You know who could have used that reminder? Dr. Daniel Evans, the archaeologist who burgled Aquaman’s trident. It’s doubtful he would’ve heeded the warning; directly confronted by Arthur, he stammers, “I couldn’t risk that you would refuse to lend…,” which is scientist talk for “I knew you wouldn’t let me do it if I asked so I just went ahead and did it anyway.” Sadly enough, this isn’t the most imprudent decision he makes. His actions involve a whole lot of stupid.