The 2010 KBox "12 Ideas" Revivalfest!

[Mario Di Giacomo]

I may have to accelerate my posting schedule, as the A-man is back.

[michaelpaciocco]

Honestly man? Go nuts. I want to hear more about your ideas, and I'm clamouring for specifics (as you can see in my AF stuff, I'm probably going to be doing a lot of character rehab).

Michael

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Part II:

The Problem(s) of Atlantis



Aquaman, for much of his history, has been intimately linked with Atlantis (aka Poseidonis, but that's a minor issue). While various writers have tried more modern settings (New Venice, Sub Diego) they never seem to last long.

So if we want to use Aquaman, we have to address the setting. First, though, we have to throw away some misconceptions.

1. There's NOTHING WRONG with limiting our stories to underwater, any more than limiting Batman to Gotham City or Blue Beetle to El Paso. Those settings work because they are not merely backdrops. The cities have a character all to themselves. The same can be done to Atlantis.

2. A city doesn't have to be modern to be interesting. While there may be a criminal element, it won't be the Mafia, and we won't need stories about drug dealers or street gangs. Especially without streets.

Another problem with Atlantis is the aforementioned instability. If it's not being destroyed from without, it's suffering coups d'etat. While I can certainly empathize with a desire for drama, things can be made much more interesting if you toss in some Byzantine politics.

My thought is that Atlantis is an old city, rich in tradition and ritual. Sort of a cross between Amber and Wakanda, filtered through a Greco-Roman lens. Lots of ancient families, some loyal to the house of Atlan, some not so.

Of course, the ocean is HUGE. While Orin & Mera deal with court intrigue, Artie & his pal Laguna can be having all sorts of underwater adventures. Most of the cities that have already been named (Poseidonis, Tritonis, Thierna Na Oge, Basilia, Shayeris) are all in the Atlantic.

Who's to say that deep in the Pacific, where the pressures warp life into strange forms, there isn't another culture? An older one? Maybe even an Elder one?

The final problem is one that I've already hinted at, but there's an additional wrinkle. While Orin rules & Artie has adventures under the waves, who will represent the Aquabooks in the big Events?

The answer to that is the topic of Part 3: "Side Kickin' It"

[michaelpaciocco]

Your description of Atlantis reminds me a bit of how the MU Atlantis was depicted in an FF novel I have kicking around here. Give me a while to find the name and title and author and all that.

[Mario Di Giacomo]

It's not a new idea, really. The primary difference in my take would be to keep Orin on the throne, instead of creating a unique society, then kicking him out of it. ;D

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Part III: Side Kickin' It



Aquaman has always had supporting cast members, but some writers have had difficulty finding things for them all to do. One of the most ill-used is old gill-head himself, Garth of Shayeris, formerly Aqualad, but now known as Tempest.

Orin is on the throne (along with Mera, of course). Artie has the Aquaman mantle. What's Garth to do?

Party on, of course, in a dual role. First, as a member of the JLA, along with his fellow Titans of old. And secondly, as the Atlantean ambassador to the United States.

One honors his long experience as a hero, both as a sidekick, and as a solo player. And the other not only gives him a reason to be away from Atlantis, but also gives him sufficient authority to requisition the occasional Atlantean war fleet (another touch I'd swipe from Priest).

I thought about bringing back Cerdian & Dolphin, but, to be honest, Dolphin always bored me a bit, and I don't trust DC with juvenile characters, anymore.

There are other characters, of course. Even though he's dead, Vulko makes for a great mentor character, and Mera belongs with Orin, especially now that the biggest cause of their troubles (Artie's death) has been reversed. Lorena can stick with the Teen Titans for now, although I could see her hooking up with Artie farther down the road.

And then there's the newest Aqua-sidekick. Laguna. The former Lagoon Boy has entered his species adolescence, and (partly due to the trauma he suffered during his short term as a Titan) has bulked up somewhat, although not to "Lagoon Man" levels. Rather than a puffer fish, his powers now allow him to transform into something more like a lionfish, with sharp, venomous fins. He's also developed the ability to blend into the ocean floor, although he defaults to his original green coloration.

Orin had hoped his experiences would make him a calming influence on Artie, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Laguna's schemes will drive many of our stories, especially when they blow up in his face.

Of course, when trouble comes, Artie is more than capable of fighting back. But that's the topic of Part IV: Speak For The Seas

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Part IV: Speak For The Seas



Superpowers are the joy and the bane of any comicbook character. A sizeable portion of the fandom is less intersted in messy details like plot & characterization, so long as the character kicks tail regularly. And Aquaman, in all his incarnations, has had a tougher time than most.

In my take, of course, there are two Aquamen, Orin & Artie Jr. And we want to be careful that they are distinct characters, with their own strengths and weaknesses.

They do have some things in common, of course. All Atlanteans are capable of breathing underwater (but not in air) and speaking mind-to-mind. It's a necessity for an aquatic species. Furthermore, because of the whole "ocean depths" thing, they are all stronger, faster, and have better night vision than surface dwellers.

Some have learned to use their ability to "call" animals, but it requires a bit of effort, especially with larger creatures.

Orin, as Atlan's son, is stronger than the average Atlantean, allowing him to not only summon them, but even influence them. As king, he wields the trident of Poseidon, a mystical artifact which allows him to tap into the Clear (a subset of the field Animal Man uses) allowing true communication with (and dominion over) all that live in the ocean. He's also physically stronger, and purely amphibous.

On a side note: The water hand has to go. While it was an intriguing idea, and I liked the Arthurian mythology, it was never strongly defined, and ended up a deus ex manus

Artie doesn't have his father's telepathic power, since he is only half Atlantean. But his hybrid heritage has changed it somewhat, as he can "borrow" the senses of the animals he communicates with. As part of his heritage from his mother, he's also hydrokintetic, which allows him to direct ocean currents underwater, and generate "waterballs" while on the surface. One trick he's learned that even his mother didn't think of is to surround himself in a "slipstream", allowing him to swim much faster than any other aquatic being. Naturally, he's also amphibious, although a bit prone to dehydration.

In a seashell, Orin is stronger and tougher, while Artie is faster and more creative.

There's one more topic to cover in Part V: Tipping The Scales

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Part V: Tilting The Scales



As much as we'd like to think otherwise, appearances matter in comics, and a costume design can make (or break) a book. And while Aquaman has tried other looks in the past, he always goes back to the orange & green.

So let's think about this. He's part of an undersea culture. They wouldn't bother with loose, flowing garments (except, perhaps, for artistic reasons), and if they bothered to wear clothes at all, it would be for protection from the elements and predators.

So what if the shirt wasn't orange cloth... but a form of armor, specifically the ancient alloy orichalcum (believed to be a combination of gold & copper). It's a very fine mesh, not only to save weight, but to protect against punctures. Orin also has the "Sword of Atlantis" armor, for ceremonial occasions (the plates are actually a variety of abalone, not metal).

I also see nothing wrong with the traditional short hair and cleanshaven look. Long hair simply gets in the way, underwater, and he doesn't need to look like Conan anymore. His experiences (and meditations on the Clear) have given him a more pacific outlook on life. The hallmark of his personality would be "quiet confidence"

In fact, the one thing that can disrupt his center is Artie Jr. Artie looks a lot like his father, but is more slender (he doesn't need to use his muscles as much, thanks to his abilities) and keeps his hair longer BECAUSE it annoys his father. Jovial and outgoing, he treats every new experience as an adventure, greeting it with a cocky grin. The only thing that irks him is when Laguna calls him "Aqualad" (so, naturally, he does it all the time).

I thought about putting him in the old Blue Costume, but there's really no reason for him to need camouflage. (However, the thought of using it for the Atlantean equivalent of commandos tickles my fancy). Instead, let's give him the bare-chested look from the early Water Hand days (without the hand, naturally), with the hydrating pants and a sleeveless version of the tunic (which he sometimes "forgets" so that he can show off to the ladies. Mera disapproves

So that's what I've come up with so far. I do have a handful of story concepts, which I may post later on. But the key details (splitting the character in two, essentially) are all here.

Thoughts?

[michaelpaciocco]

I really like the way you are trying to make the different water power users distinct as opposed to xeroxes (I'm looking at you, Flashes) and give each of them a different set of strengths and weaknesses.

However, I'm kind left wanting to know more about how you want to approach each of the characters and their dynamics. Like how does Orin feel about Laguna?

And of course, the villains and obstacles are what makes a story compelling to me.

But then again, given that I'm probably going to end up doing half my Alpha Flight posts on Character rehabs, maybe I shouldn't talk.

Michael

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Feb 15, 2010 19:50:51 GMT -8 michaelpaciocco said:

I really like the way you are trying to make the different water power users distinct as opposed to xeroxes (I'm looking at you, Flashes) and give each of them a different set of strengths and weaknesses.

Thanks, that was the basic idea.

However, I'm kind left wanting to know more about how you want to approach each of the characters and their dynamics. Like how does Orin feel about Laguna?

Slightly exasperated. He knows they are going to get into trouble, but tends to be forgiving, especially after all Laguna went through. Mera, on the other hand, can't stand him.

Really, they'd be two separate storylines. Maybe Artie as the headliner, and "Tales of Atlantis" as the backup, although they might switch places and merge on occasion.

And of course, the villains and obstacles are what makes a story compelling to me.

Those fit under story ideas. One thing I can guarantee is that I wouldn't use Black Manta or Ocean Master. Played out, the both of them. On the other hand, Chang Lung and the House of Danu...

[michaelpaciocco]

Because Mario's backed out on "Dead Knight", I have to focus on that, so I'm putting this up a day earlier than planned.



And now for the obvious thing: "Wait, didn't Bendis kill like, 3/4s of Alpha Flight in "The Collective" arc of New Avengers?"

Heh. Right. Because when faced with a Beyonder-scale threat, a team of experienced, competent superhumans will simply line up in a single mass in the middle of the Yukon with their hands out yelling "HALT EVILDOERPERSON!"

RIIIIIIIIIIGHT.

Now, this leads to a few very important questions
1) If it's not Alpha Flight, then who died?
2) Why did they want the world to think them dead?
3) Where are they now?
4) Does anyone else know they're alive?

1) Plodex clones? Department H clones? Temporal copies accidentally created by Nemesis or another time traveller? Who can say for sure? Whatever it was, it was good enough to fool Wolverine and SHIELD, and that means that it's a very good copy.

2) Note whom the AF "survivors" are; they fall into exactly two categories: Mutants and Powerful Magical beings (Shaman doesn't really count - as a mage he's not exactly world-shaking - it's his bag that gives him the power boost. Which he gave away. Puck is also cursed so he doesn't read too high on the magic meter). Whatever the reason is, the real Alpha Flight knew that they had to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and the various supercommunites they normally associated with. The problem is that the various mutant and supernatural factions are very resourceful and determined when it comes down to being able to locate their fellow kin. So they had to keep them out of the equation.

What does it all mean? It means that Alpha Flight is preparing for something big and they DO NOT WANT OUTSIDE HELP. Not Nick Fury, not the X-Men, not the Avengers, and not Department H.

3)Remember the Kang War? Remember the Master of the World, with his alien technology that was used to defend cities and his massive underground complexes - most of them in the northern reaches of Canada? Just a suggestion, but I might start there.

4) Department H knows. And one of the big villains knows. But no one else, including the various Alpha survivors knows.


POSTSCRIPT - I may also use this "Duplication" cop-out retcon to bring back Diamond Lil, haven't decided on that one yet. Meh.

Thoughts?

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Shaman's power hasn't been centered on his pouch since he got that black & white costume in AF #35. But anyway....

[michaelpaciocco]

Oh, I'll be getting to that too, don't you worry.

But otherwise?

[Mario Di Giacomo]

Feb 28, 2010 7:34:54 GMT -8 michaelpaciocco said:

Oh, I'll be getting to that too, don't you worry.

But otherwise?

It seems odd that they'd do this without some of their heavy hitters (Talisman, Snowbird)

[michaelpaciocco]

True, but in this case the need for secrecy trumps power. And those two are literal magnets for mystical crap that they do not want to get involved in.