Art: Ivan Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Aquaman is in a race against the past, but that’s the thing about the past; it always catches up with us. Issue #9 provides some more insights into Aquaman’s past, including one particularly surprising revelation. As for The Others, we still don’t learn much more about them, other than the fact that Black Manta is hunting them down. Still, this is another solid addition to one of the best super hero comics out there.
I’m starting to think that the The Others aren’t really all that important beyond their function as “the group Aquaman used to hang out with.” They’re the representatives of his past; who he used to be. He’s not that man anymore, but he’s still being forced to confront a past that he thought he left behind; all because of one mistake. The mistakes of the past have a special gift for haunting us, often rearing their ugly heads at the most inopportune time. We can try to ignore them, but they’ll find a way to get our attention. We can try to run away from them, but they’ll eventually hunt us down. So what is one to do? How do we get away from the mistakes of the past? Well, in some ways, we can’t. Our choices have consequences, some of which are long lasting and simply unavoidable. However, we don’t have to let the past own us, and we don’t have to let it control us. There is a way to deal with the mistakes and sins of the past once and for all. Jesus Christ died on a cross to take care of those sins, to pay their price and to suffer their ultimate consequence; death. He also rose again from the grave, to give us a new life free from past sins, full of forgiveness, grace, and peace. God did this because he loves us, and he wants us to have hope and a future that’s free from the past. So, we can either hang out with that “group from the past” and continue to let it haunt us, or we can find freedom and redemption in Jesus and enjoy a bright future free from the sins of the past.
Aquaman, however, will have to face his past as he finally tracks down Black Manta. Considering all that’s revealed in this issue, that’s one showdown I don’t want to miss. There are still some missing pieces to this whole “The Others” storyline, but many have started to fall into place, and it’s making for a highly enjoyable Aquaman romp. Some may be surprised to know there’s more to Aquaman than just swimming around and talking to fish (Was he ever all that useful on Super Friends? No, that’s why there was always a convenient lake or stream or sea or puddle nearby for him to find some fish friends to help out with). Well this is a different Aquaman, and he’s one of the coolest superheroes in the New 52 with a fascinating history. We’ve been saying it for months now, but really, you need to give this series a try.
Score: 6 of 7
A BIG thanks to Astro-Zombies for providing the material for this review. Learn more about them at astrozombies.com.
