Aquaman #34 – Review

By: Jeff Parker (story), Carlos Rodriguez (pencils), Bit (inks), Rain Beredo (colors)

The Story: Aquaman can talk to fish, but he can’t reason with them.

The Review: I’ve frequently remarked that lately, Mera has had the better storylines in this series, and I guess the implication is that Arthur has not. It stands to reason; while she spends the bulk of her time interacting with the supporting cast and exploring the physical and political landscape of Atlantis, her husband is swimming around and getting beaten up by various opponents. What you’re starting to realize is Aquaman has become one of the weaker parts of Aquaman.

That’s not a good situation when you have an issue that’s all about Arthur from start to finish, and more than half of it is devoted to round two of his match with Chimera. Things don’t go much better for him the second time around; Chimera keeps him on the defensive for most of the battle and only a bit of luck with a leaking petroleum truck gives Arthur the win. I say luck, and not quick thinking, because he clearly doesn’t have his head straight this issue. Considering how badly his telepathic summons worked against him last time, he only has himself to blame when his call of two sharks to his aid goes awry, leading to a scene right out of the end of Old Yeller:

“Break off!! Go!! …Stop—turn away—don’t make me fight you–! Don’t!! No…no!“*