In this review of Aquaman #2, Arthur finds himself trapped by a being who wants his blood – simply for the water that’s within it.
Aquaman #2
The Dark Tide
Written by: JEREMY ADAMS
Art and Main Cover: JOHN TIMMS
Variant Covers: MARCIO TAKARA, LUCAS MEYER, TULA LOTAY, SALVADOR LARROCA
Page Count: 32 Pages
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Aquaman #2 begins as we rejoin Arthur Curry on what seems to be a mysterious, desolate plane of existence which he has been teleported to from his now destroyed home of Atlantis. Arthur made his way through something called the Omega Gate. At this point nothing else about this Omega gate is explained, leaving myself as the reader asking a lot of questions. What is this Omega Gate? Where has he actually been teleported to? Has an Omega Gate always been present in Atlantis?
With only a short amount of time for Arthur to ponder this Omega gate, we are met by a hoarde of lizard like people named the Grindylow. After provoking Arthur, he manages to fend them off easily within the first couple of pages using his ability to manipulate the water that is found in the mud. Arthur then makes his way to what looks to be a giant castle made of thorns and vines. It’s here where we’re then introduced to a character who reveals themself to be Jenny Green teeth. She then says that she has been expecting Arthur’s presence.
She makes reference to the Blue, the Red and the Green, which makes me think that we could end up with some appearances from the likes of Swamp Thing and Animal Man. This then makes me think that this story arc could be giving a nod to the Swamp Thing New 52 run. Though with us being only 2 Issues in to the run that would just be my speculation at this point.
Back with Arthur and Jenny Green teeth. She tells Arthur about the fact that the ‘Blue’ on her planet is being stopped, which means they have no water, she then screams. “We have to harvest what water we can, even if it comes from your blood!” She then manages to capture Arthur by manipulating a group of large vines that picks up Arthur and drags him beneath the surface. He then awakes next to another man. The man beside him appears to have been strung up the same as him in the vines called Strangle weed, but this mysterious man seems to have been stuck there for a seemingly long, long time. I get this feeling simply because of how the other character is presented to us in this panel, scraggy unkempt beard along with long hair.
As Arthur comes to, he’s bleeding alot due to the thorns that they are both wrapped in but doesn’t seem to be life threatening. The mysterious fellow that’s alongside Arthur begins to tell him to control the water within the blood. At first Arthur finds it a somewhat strange thing to comprehend, but he closes his eyes and begins to concentrate harder and harder. After trying for a bit, Arthur believes it is seemingly impossible to concentrate that much. Though soon enough with a bit more heart, and determination to get free from the tangle, it begins to work. Once Arthur manages to free them both it is revealed to us that the Stranger is actually King Arion of Atlantis, which Arthur is shocked to find out about.
We then skip back to Jenny Greenteeth meeting with a couple of the Grindylow, who are telling her how strong Arthur was and that was the reason they weren’t able to defeat him. She then screams at them “You will go to him. Bring me his water. I will taste this strength you speak of”. The floor begins to rumble like an earthquake is happening, this begins to unnerve Jenny Greenteeth as she quietly questions “what is happening?” Arthur then bounds high from the ground that had previously pulled him under and announces that Jenny Greenteeths time has come to an end. Battle ensues and he then pulls Jenny Greenteeth apart, leaving behind a woman who is only referred to as Lady by King Arion. Hopefully we get a bit more development on this character in the next issue.
We are then left at the end of the issue with King Arion saying “You are the fulfillment of the prophecy, The Dark Tide that crashes upon the shores of his enemies, you are the vessel to be filled, the new god cometh”. Again this could lead me to believe that Arthur could now become the Avatar of the Blue, much like Swamp Thing is the Avatar to the Green, but we’ll have to wait and see!
I feel the art in Aquaman #2 by John Timms is spectacular throughout the issue and the use of bright colours by Rex Lokus (aside from when it’s needed to be dark specifically for the scene underground) really lend to the brightness of art I’m accustomed to from other Aquaman titles. With the story only being 2 issues in, I believe we have a lot more to find out in terms of the Omega Gate. I also believe it may have some wider bearing on the DC wide All-In event. The reason being for this is that Omega Men are currently mentioned in issues of Superman too. I think that Jeremy Adams has done a great job in terms of pacing Aquaman #2. The quick pace makes you want to keep flipping the pages to find out what’s going to happen next. Looking forward to the next issue!
