Warning! Spoilers ahead for Aquamen #1
In the latest issue of DC Comics' Aquamen, Jackson Hyde's new Aquaman has already motivated the original undersea hero Arthur Curry to do the unthinkable. In the face of a rising threat involving a major Atlantean conspiracy, Jackson and Arthur are sharing the role of Aquaman (despite Jackson's increasing darkness he's struggling to control). However, the surprising ally Arthur has recruited to assist with this new crisis may also help Jackson at the same time.
DC's Aquamen comes from Chuck Brown, Brandon Thomas, and Sami Basri. The series follows Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta, both of which laid the groundwork for Jackson's new role alongside Arthur as well as the recent activities of his usually villainous father David Hyde aka Black Manta. This includes Black Manta recovering an artifact with dark consequences as well as Jackson's mother being put into a coma (the reason for Jackson's increased darkness and aggression).
As a result, Aquamen #1 wastes no time bringing a tidal wave of action right from the start, seeing the original Aquaman handling his brother the Ocean Master who's attacking the United States while Jackson battles a giant sea serpent under Orm's influence. However, Jackson's attacks against the creature are far more brutal than necessary, something Arthur is quick to chastise his fellow Aquaman for, as the beast is being controlled against its will. However, both Aquamen are alerted to a new sighting of a "person of interest" Jackson has been searching for: Black Manta. Rushing off to battle his father and bring him to justice once and for all, Jackson is quickly followed by Arthur who puts himself in between the father and son. Arthur admits to a startling alliance he's made in secret with his greatest rival, much to Jackson's surprise.
As revealed in DC's recent Black Manta series, Jackson's father David has recovered an ancient Atlantean metal known as orichalcum, which has adverse effects on human beings who secretly hold traces of unique Atlantean DNA (including Manta himself). As this first issue of Aquamen further confirms, individuals with this unique biological makeup are effectively Atlantean sleeper agents, their DNA somehow being activated where they're turned into dark puppets being taken over by some unknown threat. The final issue of Aquaman: The Becoming sees Aquaman asking Black Manta for help, and it's now revealed that David is assisting Arthur by investigating these sleeper agents. However, it seems likely that Arthur is also hoping the father can somehow help his estranged son and his newfound darkness.
With Jackson's mother in a coma, perhaps Black Manta can be the father he's never really been now that he and the new Aquaman will be working together thanks to Arthur. Brought together in one of the most unlikely team-ups, it's going to be pretty interesting to see how well the trio will get along while trying to save Atlantis and the world at large. Fans will likely find out soon enough as Aquamen continues from DC Comics.