Aquaman: Waterbearer, The

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Summary: DC gives Aquaman a magic makeover....with terrible results.
Review: In the last few years, DC Comics has given many of it's charcters a rebirth or retooling of some kind with the charecters getting updated stories where their persoanlities and their powers go through some very radical changes. The recent HAWKMAN and JSA stories are a good example of this. Several stories in those books had magic and mystical themes running in them as previous DC charecters,not seen in a long time, returned all having magic and new powers that went into the paranormal side of things. Kind of an X-Files influence I guess, although it seems to make once goofy charecters seem more like strange/bizzare figures out of an H.P. Lovecraft tale or Stephen King novel. Anyway this collection of stories cotinued the trend wih Aquaman's rebirth being so full of magic recantations and his new look that seems just as corny as when he had the metal hook right hand. The title is still published and the charecter is now wearing his orange shirt and green pants again, Magic still plays a part of his new powers, although it seems so corny and dumb that it's amazing DC Comics has not just killed off this useless hero by now.

Rating:
Summary: What might have been....
Review: Aquaman is one of those minor but enduring characters that DC Comics just isn't sure what to do with. He never accomplishes much in JLA, and his own series are only received luke-warmly. On the other hand, there are still those who fondly remember his adventures and appreciate the complexity of his personality: the imperious, temperamental king of Atlantis who nevertheless has a heart of gold. Even having a child die, losing a hand, and now being exiled (for rather dopey reasons, but nevermind) haven't diminished his desire to do good in the world.

"Aquaman: The Waterbearer" is an attempt to restart the character yet again, and while it's an earnest attempt, it doesn't amount to much. Main problem is after 118 pages, quite little was accomplished. Yes, Aquaman was exiled from his homeland and left to die. Yes, he receives a second chance at life and a new heroic purpose to fulfill. Yes, he fights a bad guy and a giant mutant lamprey and prevents an oil tanker from running aground. For a comic book superhero, all of that can take place in a single issue, and taking any more than two would be to stretch things out pretty thin. This book compiles a total of six issues.

As for the new heroic purpose, what exactly this entails isn't really answered either. Given this fantastic new ability and the responsibility to use it selflessly, Aquaman is more or less left to figure out what it's really for on his own. The opportunity to kickstart things with a quest full of drama and adversity is squandered.

On the bright side, it's refreshing to see Aquaman as something other than an officious jerk, and the artwork isn't bad at all. (Although, as another poster noted, it's a little disappointing to see the Arthurian Lady of the Lake depicted as a mystical lingerie model.)

All in all, this is a disappointing work. If you can find it for an inexpensive price, then you might consider it. Otherwise, give it a pass.