Aquaman (6th Series)

    (DC, 2003-2006)
™ and © DC Comics
Becomes Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis as of issue #40.

Why DC stubbornly refuses to include a “Previously in …” text page in its serial comic books is anybody’s guess, but Aquaman (as well as any number of other recently released DC titles) would certainly benefit from such a thing. New readers to this series (assuming there are any) will be able to follow the basics of the plot, which involves Garth casting a spell that turns himself and Arthur into fish in order to observe Atlantis covertly, but the story would benefit nicely from brief character bios and an explanation of what has gone before. Atlantis, with its fascist government (sitting or standing like humans is banned) and new architecture (reflecting undersea life), is potentially interesting, but the art in this issue doesn’t really do justice to the new design of the city or to the various events taking place (such as the battle-chase between the fish and the barracuda). The art could use a boost in the story-telling department as well.

In terms of the series as a whole, the tie-in to the King Arthur legend is cool, and the “water hand” and Lady of the Lake elements fit the character nicely. (The “harpoon-hook hand” always seemed less than conducive to fast swimming, but at least it wasn’t as out of character as Daredevil’s ill-conceived armor).

All in all, for Aquaman to last beyond the runs of its predecessors (this is the fourth series starring The Wet Wonder), it will need to pick up the pace considerably.

— Brett Weiss
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Feb 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    Aquaman banished from Atlantis and the oceans; Aquaman gets new source of power and a magic water hand; Batman cameo; Flash II cameo; Superman cameo; Wonder Woman cameo
    14 copies from $1.75
  • 2
    #2
    Mar 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    18 copies from $0.99
  • 3
    #3
    Apr 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    12 copies from $1.75
  • 4
    #4
    May 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet, Josh Hood
    11 copies from $1.25
  • 5
    #5
    Jun 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    1st appearance of Thirst
    15 copies from $1.75
  • 6
    #6
    Jul 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Sal Velluto
    13 copies from $0.99
  • 7
    #7
    Aug 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Sal Velluto
    13 copies from $0.99
  • 8
    #8
    Sep 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    12 copies from $0.99
  • 9
    #9
    Oct 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    14 copies from $0.99
  • 10
    #10
    Nov 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    10 copies from $2.00
  • 11
    #11
    Dec 2003
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    10 copies from $1.56
  • 12
    #12
    Jan 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Rick Veitch  ·  A: Yvel Guichet
    Aquaman free to swim the oceans again
    13 copies from $1.95
  • 13
    #13
    Feb 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Ostrander  ·  A: James Bosch
    Kinetic-DC Focus Preview inside
    9 copies from $1.75
  • 14
    #14
    Mar 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Ostrander  ·  A: Tom Grummett
    11 copies from $1.95
  • 15
    #15
    New cover logo
    Apr 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    New costume; San Diego falls into the ocean
    11 copies from $0.99
  • 16
    #16
    May 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    1st appearance of Lorena; 1st appearance of Lorena Marquez; Lorena joins supporting cast
    5 copies from $1.95
  • 17
    #17
    Jun 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    1st appearance of Aquagirl; 1st appearance of Aquagirl (Lorena Marquez)
    9 copies from $0.99
  • 18
    #18
    Jul 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    11 copies from $0.99
  • 19
    #19
    Aug 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    9 copies from $1.50
  • 20
    #20
    Lorena named as Aquagirl on cover by Alan Davis
    Sep 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    6 copies from $1.75
  • 21
    #21
    Oct 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    Sub Diego separates from San Diego
    8 copies from $1.95
  • 22
    #22
    Nov 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Will Pfeifer  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    10 copies from $1.56
  • 23
    #23
    Dec 2004
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Ostrander  ·  A: Chris Batista
    1st appearance of Marauder; Includes Heroscape insert #2 of 2
    6 copies from $1.75
  • 24
    #24
    Jan 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Ostrander  ·  A: Chris Batista
    11 copies from $1.75
  • 25
    #25
    Feb 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    9 copies from $2.00
  • 26
    #26
    Mar 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    1st appearance of Aquagirl (in costume); Versus Ocean Master; Lorena starts wearing a costume
    7 copies from $4.98
  • 27
    #27
    Apr 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    Versus Ocean Master
    10 copies from $1.75
  • 28
    #28
    May 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    7 copies from $0.99
  • 29
    #29
    Jun 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    7 copies from $1.75
  • 30
    #30
    Jul 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Marc Guggenheim  ·  A: Andy Clarke
    6 copies from $2.00
  • 31
    #31
    Aug 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: Marc Guggenheim  ·  A: Andy Clarke
    New DC logo
    8 copies from $1.75
  • 32
    #32
    Sep 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Patrick Gleason
    5 copies from $1.75
  • 33
    #33
    Oct 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    3 copies from $1.99
  • 34
    #34
    Nov 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    4 copies from $3.00
  • 35
    #35
    Dec 2005
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    OMAC Project Tie-In
    10 copies from $1.95
  • 36
    #36
    Jan 2006
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    11 copies from $0.99
  • 37
    #37
    Feb 2006
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    Infinite Crisis Crossover; Spectre destroys Atlantis
    6 copies from $3.00
  • 38
    #38
    Mar 2006
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    Death of Koryak; Death of Koryak confirmed
    4 copies from $2.00
  • 38/NS
    #38 Newsstand Edition
    Newsstand Edition with cover by Don Kramer
    Mar 2006
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Leonard Kirk
    Death of Koryak; Death of Koryak confirmed
    1 copy for $3.50
  • 39
    #39
    Apr 2006
    Cover: $2.50
    W: John Arcudi  ·  A: Freddie E. Williams II
    Continued in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40
    2 copies from $2.75