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Aquaman’s 80th Anniversary special returns to the WWII-inspired DC Bombshells universe to expand on the fan-favorite world.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the story “The Rhine Maidens” from the Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular, on sale now from DC Comics.
With Aquaman’s 80th Anniversary being celebrated this year, the Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular explores the whole history of the Atlantean hero, including the fun alternate versions that have spawned in recent years. That’s the case with DC Bombshells, as the celebratory anthology returns to the alternate world set during Second World War.
The world of DC Bombshells spawned from a line of statues depicting various heroes of the DC Universe as World War II dieselpunk pin-ups. These new stylized versions of DC’s beloved characters proved so popular that a spin-off comic emerged, exploring this interesting world and the ways it differs from the regular DCU. Wonder Woman was one of the first characters to be introduced in the series from Marguerite Bennett and Marguerite Sauvage with Aquaman character Mera joining her fight shortly after.
The DC Bombshells version of Mera returns in “The Rhine Maidens” by Bombshells co-creator Marguerite Bennett alongside Trung Le Nguyen, Jordie Bellaire and Pat Brousseau in the Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular. In this universe, Mera is the ruler of Atlantis rather than Arthur. She helped Wonder Woman save Steve Trevor from execution at the hands of the Amazons. Their escape subsequently led to the two bombshells engaging in battle with Nazis on the Greek coast. Mera’s involvement in the war expanded after this, lending a hand to the British Navy and taking part in the Battle of Britain. That battle, unfortunately, results in her capture, as well as her losing her powers.
That’s how she met the Aquaman of this universe. Arthur Curry saved the Queen of Atlantis from imprisonment at the hands of her brother-in-law Nereus and her sister Hila, who had taken her place on the throne. Arthur took Mera to his Lighthouse off the Irish coast where she enjoyed peace away from the war. She fell in love and seemed to have accepted her new peaceful life until Atlantis came calling once again. With Aquaman’s help, Mera regained her throne, her powers, and rejoined the war effort.
This new story explores the love that blossomed between the two at the Lighthouse and puts it to the test. Not long after reclaiming the throne, the two lovers go in search of the magical harp of the Rhine Maidens. These sea nymphs are said to be irresistible and their harp allows the holder to command them, so long as it can be obtained that is. The legend claims that whoever seeks the harp must forswear all love to get it. However, Aquaman proves that forswearing all love isn’t necessary to gain the harp. The only love he denies is the love of power and the love of the nymphs, as he has his love for Mera. This angers the Rhine Maidens but Mera backs up her partner and Arthur claims the harp.
At first, the Rhine Maidens fear what the pair will force them to do. However, the couple proves their understanding of love by proclaiming that any love, including the Maidens’, should not be weaponized. They break the harp and break the nymphs’ curse. Finally free to do what they please, they wish to follow Mera and Arthur on their adventures and learn more from them in regards to who they fight for and who they love.
This tale is a fitting return to the world of DC Bombshells. With the tale of the Rhine Maidens, the love Mera and Arthur shared is expanded upon. This is a fitting tribute to that universe, one which is known for its dedicated portrayal of love in all its forms.
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