‘Aquaman #44’ (review)

Written by Kelly Sue Deconnick
Illustrated by Daniel Henriques, 
and Robson Rocha

In DeConnick’s second issue of Aquaman, Arthur is still an amnesiac on an island in The Village of Unspoken Water.

He seeks answers to his identity from the village elders and is offered a solution to restore his memory with the help of the village elders, but there may be a huge cost.

Meanwhile, our female protagonist Caille, daughter of the sea, is also being protected by the villagers from her own mysterious past. Arthur doesn’t know much except that he’s compelled to help Caille from being stuck on that island forever and encourages her to find out about her mother, Namma.

The action really heats up on the shores at midnight with the village elders revealing themselves to have supernatural powers and ancient names. These ancient sea demigods invite Aquaman to a bonfire where he is greeted with open arms, but is this whole ruse a trap?

Caille has decided to join the man she calls Andy at the beach ceremony, but perhaps her skepticism was warranted.

Back in Atlantis, Mera has assumed the sovereignty and is being encouraged to find a new mate, but she won’t give up on the search for Arthur Curry.

One thing is for sure, something is fishy about this whole lot. Who is pulling the strings behind Arthurs exile in this village. Are these Old Gods friends or foe?

As this story arc is the new status quo with a new writer, leaving our aquatic hero stranded on an island to rediscover himself is a great way to start from the ground up. By the last page, the Aquaman we know and love is starting to reveal himself so hopefully we will see him in his orange and green suit soon, right now he only claims the belt buckle.

I’m along for the ride, not much to report on this issue besides Rocha and Henriques on art doing a great job with the underwater and immersion action, and Queen Mera looks as gorgeous as she did on screen. Kelly Sue is amazing, if you didn’t know, but what I especially like in this book is her dialogue written for real human females. She nails it.

Tune in next time as the mystery of Caille and her Namma reveals itself and we see if Arthur gets himself out of the hot water he’s gotten himself into.