Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Paint it Black
Written by: Rick Veitch
Penciled by: Yvel Guichet
Inked by: Mark Propst
Colored by: Nathan Eyring
Lettered by: Kurt Hathaway
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics
The saga continues, unfortunately. Why did Aquaman look so funky at the end of last issue? Oh that’s just because his body was processing some pollutants, but he gets back to normal halfway through this issue. Black Manta appears throughout the issue, searching for Aquaman. We also get glimpses of Black Manta’s background, more on that later. Tempest battles some of the Thirst’s lackeys with some help from a couple of the warrior women from last issue. The Thirst captures the Rhine Sister, which of course costs Aquaman another finger. Black Manta attacks Aquaman, before he can go after the Thirst. Aquaman makes short work of Black Manta, and not only saves his life, but returns him to his pre-Underworld Unleashed form.
Veitch is a good writer. I’ve read some of his Swamp Thing run, and they were good issues. His stuff about Black Manta in this issue is well written too, although I don’t agree with is direction. It’s the sword and fantasy crap that bugs me. I’m not feeling it. And poor Tempest has to be dragged down into this mire, when he could be doing something with the Teen Titans or the Outsiders. Give me some superhero action please.
I have no complaints about the art. The cover was beautiful. The interior art was as good as always. I missed Guichet and company last issue. Aquaman, and Black Manta really do look to be in agony when they are supposed to be in agony.
Now about Black Manta; why’d he have to be crazy? I appreciate giving depth to the character, but giving him a mental disorder? I actually liked the Black Nationalist Black Manta. He could still work within the current timeline. But I guess that Veitch chose to ignore that aspect of the past. Whatever. I guess I’ll find out more next issue.
Hey Daron! How am I supposed to get my quote on a cover when you assign me crap ass books like Aquaman to review?
