Aquaman #30 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Paul Pelletier and Alvaro Martinez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 23, 2014

Son of a...

Triton base can rebuild him, they have the technology.  Aquaman is a mess, but Hercules is messed up. Mera is attacked and saved by a familiar face and this book is about to get real crowded.


The issue starts off with a peek at Triton base.  Some crazy science (weird perhaps) is going down with slicing, dicing and DNA splicing. It's mysterious and cool...and lasts for one page.  Bummer.



Instead, Jeff Parker fills the bulk of the issue with Aquaman vs. Hercules in a no-holds barred battle to the finish.  It is action packed fun, but feels more like filler than a crucial part of the ongoing story.  The reason why Hercules fights Aquaman is pretty "crazy" and makes sense, but it also makes Aquaman look like a bully.  Granted, when you are getting your face bashed in by the son of a god you have to do something, but how Aquaman ends the fight makes him look even worse.  Add to the fact that Hercules seems like a cheap way to get Wonder Woman involved and I was very disappointed.

Thankfully, we also get more Mera this issue.  She has been a highlight of Parker's brief run and this issue continues the trend.  She continues to keep Atlantis running while Arthur is off fighting monsters. Unfortunately, while on an expedition she is attacked by assassins.  Everything about this scene is awesome. The assassins and their methods, Mera's strength and resolve and the surprise ally who rescues her.   Then in one simple scene, Mera gains the trust and respect of the Atlantians.   Aquaman gets the action shots, but what happened with Mera will cause ripples through this book for quite some time.

This month we get regular Paul Pelletier on the Aquaman bits and Alvaro Martinez on Mera's parts. Martinez does a good enough job and the transitions are not jarring, but I have an issue with Pelletier.  Maybe I expect more, but his work on Aquaman used to be stellar.  It was filled with jaw dropping splash pages filled with detailed greatness.  That just isn't the case here.  This issue is mediocre and he only did half an issue.  I want the old Pelletier back stat!

Bits and Pieces:

Aquaman #30 has some interesting things going on, it's just a shame Jeff Parker concentrated on filler. Granted, it's a fun and action packed fight between Aquaman and Hercules, but the meatier parts lie with Triton Base and Mera.  I hope to see more of them next month.

7.0/10