Review: Aquaman/ Green Arrow: Deep Target #4
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Art: Ronan Cliquet
Colors: Ulises Arreola
Letters: Josh Reed
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
After discovering they’re on the Moon, Oliver and Arthur have to find another means of escape. In the process, General Anderson (presumably- now the lizard guy) runs a “tabula rasa,” that gives a new challenge to our duo.
Positives
While the fun continues and remains one of the main draws of this series, Aquaman/ Green Arrow: Deep Target #4 goes a little bit deeper with these characters as a quiet moment gives them to share what they’ve been feeling as they’ve been experiencing each other’s powers/skill set. So far, it’s brought some humor as they are each unfamiliar with how to “be” the other. In this issue we see “Arthur” have to fly a rocket plane because he has “Oliver’s” skills- you remember the Arrowplane, of course? However, it’s “Arthur” describing how his powers connect him with the memory of his mother that really adds some emotional depth to the issue.
Back in issue #1 we were introduced to General Anderson who has become the lizard guy in subsequent issues- it’s the hair. When our heroes escape the Moon, he runs a program, “tabula rasa” that we can infer resets the history of the Earth- again. As “Arthur” and “Oliver” are not on Earth at the time they aren’t affected, but when they land back in Amnesty Bay- well, you wouldn’t recognize any of the, ahem, “people.” No spoilers, but it’s a fun homage to a famous science fiction book/ movie series, and it goes hand-in-hand with the Silver Age feel that permeates this series.
It might be tough which cover to get if you buy this issue. The standard cover is by Marco Santucci and Arif Prianto and features the exciting, dynamic composition we’ve come to expect from him. The variant by Kael Ngu is a lovely poster-style image of Aquaman in his blue uniform first seen in the Neal Pozner/ Craig Hamilton mini-series from 1985.
Negatives
This series is exactly what it’s trying to be and in those terms, there aren’t really any negatives- it’s not trying to be Watchmen. Technically, the opening escape seems to run on and feels like it goes a little bit long. One starts to crave a plot development or character moment. And, we get them, but perhaps just a little late. While it makes sense to have our heroes arrive to a surprise on Earth, how they deal with that change seems to be more exciting.
Overall, it would be a positive addition to the series to know a bit more about Anderson and Scorpio to understand why they’ve done what they’ve done. Mysteries are good, but something feels missing in the lack of obvious motivation.
Verdict
Aquaman/ Green Arrow: Deep Target #4 maintains the fun of the previous issues of the series. It has some emotional depth to distinguish itself from the typical Silver Age stories it homages. Additionally, the continued references to other comics/books/movies elevate the fun factor. For a fun, escapist read with some nostalgia thrown in for seasoning, it gets the job done.