Written by Erik Larsen & Gary Carlson
Art by Eric Battle; Norm Rapmund; Richard Horie; Tanya Horie; & Johnny B. Good Workman
Cover Art by Eric Battle & Norm Rapmund
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for September 1999, this 34-page issue is entitled “Drugs of Choice.” A beleaguered Aquaman (aka King Orin) contends with far more than losing his marine telepathy due to Piranha-Man’s chicanery. With an overcrowded Atlantis succumbing to a substance abuse problem, Aquaman, Tempest, and Indigo confront the scheming Kingfish, who intends to capitalize as an undersea drug kingpin.
Among Kingfish’s efforts is a bounty on Aquaman’s head that the electrifying Eel intends to collect. Aquaman also contends with medical crises separately imperiling his critically-injured mother, Atlanna, and his rapidly-aging father, Atlan. Vulko struggles to help preserve Atlanna’s life, as he confides to Aquaman his lifelong emotional crush on Atlanna.
With a likely divorce looming, Queen Mera stands in for her estranged husband as Atlantis’ royal-in-command. Despite her own attraction to renegade soldier Noble, Mera suspects that Aquaman is cheating on her with Indigo. Adding to this frenetic soap opera circus is a group of young Atlanteans humorously pirating TV rerun access from the surface world. A last-second surprise revelation stings Aquaman’s family circle.
REVIEW:
Tinged by some sarcastic narration, one wonders if co-writers Erik Larsen and Gary Carlson meant this issue as something akin to a sophisticated, Soap-style TV soap opera spoof (with too few chuckles). Or maybe this issue is supposed to be an underwater version of Marvel Comics’ Inhumans?
Regardless of their script’s ambitious intentions, this issue will likely overwhelm casual readers via its excessive sub-plots. Had the story focused tightly on intrigue from three bigger plot threads instead of a half-dozen or more, an entertaining read wouldn’t become so diluted. As a counter-balance, the art team’s visuals are often terrific, particularly in the battle sequences. Further, the dynamic cover image serves as this issue’s best creative element. Aquaman # 59 tries hard, but its potential for a fun read ends up lost in all the dramatic shuffling.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
