If moviegoers didn't fancy the gritty atmosphere of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", then they haven't read enough issues of DC Comics.
"I've been a ruler before. It's not a job I enjoy, but it's a job I'll take."
If they would think of Bruce Wayne and Gotham City, then they were half right. How about Arthur Curry? He's not the other member of the Splash Brothers, which include the more famous Stephen (Curry), as Arthur is the son of a mortal and a descendant of the lost race of Atlantis. Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger depicted Aquaman as the defender of oceans, but his opponents would include various Axis allies. The duo imagined the perfect WASP-y gentleman, with blond hair and chiseled torso. As a demigod of a sort, Arthur Curry would be immortal. He became weary and jaded several decades later. It was the case with the other superheroes in DC Comics, prompting some fans to wonder if this might be a ploy to differentiate itself from Marvel Comics. Maybe.
Let's explore the new Pacific coastline
Aquaman fans were thrilled to see the publication of "Sub Diego" last year. Will Pfeifer would imagine the Big One, as a portion of San Diego sank into the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Curry thought there were no survivors until a young boy was found at the seashore several days later. He was struggling to breathe.
Some DC Comics readers may have seen better volumes, but this one wouldn't be less interesting. Artist Patrick Gleason imagined an older Curry, who became wiser after all those decades. He was unafraid of making tough decisions, such as adding the submerged part of San Diego tof his realm. It wasn't hard to relate to his actions. (This would be the greater good.) Pfeifer wasn't treading the familiar route when he thought of some members of the Mafia attempting to control Sub Diego. He might be pointing out one of America's open secrets, but DC Comics fans weren't surprised when Curry asked for Wayne's advice.
"Sub Diego" would depict a disturbing tale of (a possible) devolution, of which a devious human mind would be the mastermind behind the loss of thousand of lives (and the transformation of survivors into another underwater species). H. G. Wells thought of it (in "The Time Machine"), while Pfeifer had Big Brother in mind.
It's time to learn who's really in charge
"Sometimes we need someone to help us through change, to show us that there's nothing to be afraid of."
Nathan Eyring's hues would illustrate the dark corners of the ocean, which wasn't different from above the water's surface. Not that the survivors could let go of old habits despite developing gills (days after the tragic event), but human nature would be constant. In this regard, the good-versus-evil theme would keep readers hook until the last page. Mankind had witnessed such hideous acts and the conditions that would influence certain people to commit such acts. In Arthur Carry's world, it would be a yarn. His worn-out expression may tell otherwise.
Pfeifer didn't reveal the identity of this new Big Brother, and he may turn out to be more villainous than Hitler. Technology did it, as humans became complacent. Fans must wait for the next issue.
