I didn’t really get into the New 52 hoopla when D.C. was rebooting their universe. I’m more of a trade paperback over single issue kinda guy, so I’ll be waiting a good while to experience any of that. That said, my limited Detective Comics-related knowledge has been growing slightly, thanks to one Mr. Tom Katers.
In his podcast, Tom vs. Aquaman, Katers gives a complete rundown of one of the water-based heroes Silver Age issues. (Going in order, of course, so there won’t be any mix-ups between an Aqualad and an Aquababy, say.) Previously, Katers has tackled the Justice League and the Flash, just as ably as he now takes on Aquaman. Going through each story page by page, panel by panel, the genuinely-funny Katers expresses the playful fun and silliness these comics could indulge in, without any kind of smirk or wink.
If I understand correctly, some fans of his podcast didn’t dig the transition from the Flash — whose enemies the Rogues was a really colorful bunch — to the savior of boats and lost treasure. But the stories have been escalating, potentially reaching a peak here with “Death of Aquaman”. A tip-of-the-iceberg example: the panel above, where Aquaman catches then tosses Aquababy aside. Aquababy might be an Atlantean, but he’s still a baby, Aquaman.
