Don’t let the title of the comic fool you. This comic isn’t about Aquaman: it’s about Aquawoman. Ok, it’s a labout Aquaman too… and some foreshadowing… and Garth. But mainly Aquawoman.

The generous people of Amnesty Bay, Maine (home of Curry lighthouse) have offered their shoreline for “Spindrift,” the first Atlantian (and most metaphorically named) embassy on the surface world. King Arthur, better known as Aquaman, is helping prepare Mera for her public role as ambassador. While she may have some reticence about the costume and name change, she realizes she has an important role to play in the security of Atlantis. Besides, Garth is there to help too.

But when a mysterious monster (which the media dubs “Death Water” (catchy huh)) starts killing people around the mighty metropolis of Albany, Aquaman has to leave lovely Mer.. I mean Aquawoman, with a couple of FBI agents. Agents who seem to want to bang two hot Atlantians instead of solving murders. They assumed Aquaman could help because this monster was caught on CCT jumping out of bit of a water and disappearing again.

It doesn’t take long for the King O The Sea to call the monster to battle in the manliest of fish talking ways, but there is something different about this creature that stops him from killing it. Instead, we never really “sea” how Aquaman defeats the monster, only that he saved an unconscious man out of a trans-dimensional puddle.

The rest of the book is the introduction of Aquawoman and how the world can turn to Amnesty Bay, Maine for any and all water related inquiries.

As evidenced in previous reviews, I love Dan Abnett. I often wonder how somebody can be so prolific with their writing and not turn out to be Stephen King (another Maine resident). He knows how to take a silly subject, wrap it in some good ole cheese, and serve it up with the seriousness it deserves. This comic is no exception.

The dialog is on point. Mera is cracking politician jokes like a seasoned pro. The FBI agents are adorably bungling. Aquaman is as serious as a lobster (which are very serious).

The villain in the story may seem like it’s just a bit of filler surrounding the rise of Mera, by I have a feeling that Abnett is purposely leading us on. He established a villain that may be at work inside of Aquaman, and the apparent victory over “Dead Water” was merely a ruse.

The art in this book is just as good as the writing. Brett Booths pencils are clean, yet not cartoonish. The colors by Major and Dalhouse are evocative and yet subdued. The overall product is stunning, and that’s underselling it.

So if you are looking for a book to dive into, Aquaman #50 is a great starting point that will not leave you to high and dry. 

Score: 10/10 Flukes would endorse this comic

*All images used from Comixology

** all terrible nautical puns taken from Kevin's id