The Atlantis Chronicles #4 [1990] (Random Comics Theatre)

Random Comics Theatre

The Atlantis Chronicles #4 [1990]

This is the middle of an epic seven double-sized issue series by Esteban Maroto and Peter David published by DC in 1990.  It establishes some detailed backstory for the long-running Aquaman feature at DC, although for the most part stands independent of that stuff until late in the final issue.  It seems to be setting up a new Aquaman series by David, although for whatever reason it ended up taking over three years for David's AQUAMAN TIME AND TIDE mini-series and the subsequent on-going book (which he would write for four years) to come out, referring heavily to this series (TIME AND TIDE even begins with Aquaman reading the last few pages of the last issue).

This was a very entertaining story. I usually like Peter David in general, but it was good to see him do something a bit more outside his comfort zone, especially a setting where he can't do as many of the pop-culture jokes that he tends to sprinkle in his stories.  

Spanish artist Esteban Maroto draws the whole series, and does a pretty spectacular job, drawing some high fantasy in fanciful settings, some interesting ways of capturing the underwater movement of the characters effectively and drawing generations of characters in a distinct way.  Very unlike your typical DC work of the era.

This issue right in the middle is full of all sorts of twists involving rival factions in a generational war, supernatural elements affecting the fate of nations, sex, violence and all that stuff.  

In addition to the 43-page story, there's a two page text which is written from the point of view that these comics are based on actual recently discovered documents, this time discussing the religious beliefs of the characters.